E Minor Hexatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Minor Hexatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Hexatonic scale is a six-note scale that bridges the gap between the minor pentatonic and full modal scales. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, F#, G, A, B, D#. It has a soulful, minor character but offers more melodic flexibility, making it a common choice for blues and jazz-rock soloing. Commonly used in Blues, Jazz-Rock, R&B, Soul. Notable players include B.B. King, Albert King, John Mayer. Use over m7 chords and blues changes. More flexible than minor pentatonic but less complex than full Dorian.
Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, D#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-W-W-4-H
Number of notes: 6
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
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 Hexatonic in Standard Tuning
- E Minor Hexatonic in Drop D
- E Minor Hexatonic in DADGAD
- E Minor Hexatonic in Open G
- E Minor Hexatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Minor Hexatonic in 7-string
- E Minor Hexatonic in 8-string
- E Minor Hexatonic in Drop C
- E Minor Hexatonic in Drop B
- E Minor Hexatonic in Half Step Down
- E Minor Hexatonic in Open E
- E Minor Hexatonic in Open A
- E Minor Hexatonic in Double Drop D
- E Minor Hexatonic in Open C