G# Minor #7m Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The G# Minor #7m Pentatonic scale is a minor pentatonic variation that includes a major seventh, echoing the tension of the melodic minor scale. On Guitar, the notes are G#, B, C#, D#, G. It is used to create a Minor-Major mystery, providing a simple but effective way to add a dark, classical tension to modern solos. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical. Notable players include Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock. Use over mMaj7, mMaj9 chords. Adds classical tension to modern minor-key solos.
Notes: G#, B, C#, D#, G
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5
Formula: WH-W-W-4-H
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# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop D
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in DADGAD
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open G
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in 7-string
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in 8-string
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop C
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Drop B
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open E
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open A
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- G# Minor #7m Pentatonic in Open C