E Minor Six Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
E Minor Six Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Six Pentatonic scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic that introduces a major sixth, giving it a Dorian flavor. On Guitar, the notes are E, G, A, B, C#. It is more sophisticated and soulful than the standard minor pentatonic and is frequently used in jazz and fusion to outline minor chords with a brighter edge. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Neo-Soul, R&B. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Erykah Badu. Use over m6, m7, mMaj7 chords. Adds a jazz sophistication to minor chord soloing without fully committing to a 7-note scale.
Notes: E, G, A, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-W-WH
Number of notes: 5
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 Six Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop D
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in DADGAD
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Open G
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in 7-string
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in 8-string
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop C
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Drop B
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Open E
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Open A
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- E Minor Six Pentatonic in Open C