E Minor Blues Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Minor Blues in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Blues scale is the definitive scale of the blues tradition. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, G, A, Bb, B, D. By adding a chromatic tension note to the minor pentatonic, it creates the dirty and expressive grit associated with Chicago and Delta blues, essential for any player looking to add emotional bite to their solos. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B. Notable players include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy. Use over minor chords and dominant 7th chords in blues. The b5 is a passing tone — linger on it for tension, resolve to 4 or 5.
Notes: E, G, A, Bb, B, D
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6
Formula: WH-W-H-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 6
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: blues
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Minor Blues in Standard Tuning
- E Minor Blues in Drop D
- E Minor Blues in DADGAD
- E Minor Blues in Open G
- E Minor Blues in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Minor Blues in 7-string
- E Minor Blues in 8-string
- E Minor Blues in Drop C
- E Minor Blues in Drop B
- E Minor Blues in Half Step Down
- E Minor Blues in Open E
- E Minor Blues in Open A
- E Minor Blues in Double Drop D
- E Minor Blues in Open C