G Ritusen Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
G Ritusen in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The G Ritusen scale is a traditional Japanese pentatonic scale known for its balanced and tranquil nature. On Guitar, the notes are G, A, C, D, E. It has a suspended quality that sounds very peaceful and is a core part of ancient East Asian court music and contemplative melodies. Commonly used in Japanese, World, Ambient, Film Scores. Notable players include Kitaro, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Use over sus2, sus4, and open chords. Its omission of the 3rd creates an ambiguous major/minor quality.
Notes: G, A, C, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 4P, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5
Formula: W-WH-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
- G Ritusen in Standard Tuning
- G Ritusen in Drop D
- G Ritusen in DADGAD
- G Ritusen in Open G
- G Ritusen in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Ritusen in 7-string
- G Ritusen in 8-string
- G Ritusen in Drop C
- G Ritusen in Drop B
- G Ritusen in Half Step Down
- G Ritusen in Open E
- G Ritusen in Open A
- G Ritusen in Double Drop D
- G Ritusen in Open C