G Locrian Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
G Locrian Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The G Locrian Pentatonic scale is an unstable and mysterious scale used to evoke tension and ambiguity. On Guitar, its notes are G, Bb, C, Db, F. It is often found in experimental music and certain Indian Ragas, providing a dissonant, outside sound that is perfect for dark, avant-garde, or high-tension compositions. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Progressive. Notable players include John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel. Use over m7b5 (half-diminished) chords. Essential for jazz solos over ii chords in minor ii-V-i progressions.
Notes: G, Bb, C, Db, F
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 b5
Formula: WH-W-H-4-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: minor seven flat five pentatonic
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
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop D
- G Locrian Pentatonic in DADGAD
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open G
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Locrian Pentatonic in 7-string
- G Locrian Pentatonic in 8-string
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop C
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Drop B
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open E
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open A
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- G Locrian Pentatonic in Open C