E Major Blues Guitar Scale — Open G
Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram
E Major Blues in Open G — Notes and Intervals
The E Major Blues scale is an extension of the major pentatonic that adds a blue note for extra soul. On Guitar, the notes are E, F#, G, G#, B, C#. It blends the happy character of major keys with the expressive, vocal-like slides of the blues, and is a staple in country, swing, and jazz-blues contexts. Commonly used in Blues, Country, Jazz, Swing, Southern Rock. Notable players include B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King. Use over major and dominant 7th chords in blues, country, and swing contexts. Mix with minor blues for complete blues vocabulary.
Notes: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-H-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 6
Tuning: Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D)
About Open G Tuning
Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) produces a G major chord when strummed open, making it the definitive tuning for slide guitar and delta blues. The tuning's natural consonance means that barring across any fret gives you a major chord, which is why it's been the backbone of blues and roots music for over a century.
From Robert Johnson to Keith Richards, Open G has shaped some of the most iconic music ever recorded. Keith Richards famously removes the low 6th string entirely in this tuning, creating his signature five-string sound on songs like 'Start Me Up' and 'Brown Sugar'. For slide players, Open G is essential — it allows clean, singing slide lines across all strings with minimal effort.
Notable artists: Keith Richards, Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes
Best for: Slide guitar, delta blues, Keith Richards-style rock riffs, and open-string fingerpicking
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Major Blues in Standard Tuning
- E Major Blues in Drop D
- E Major Blues in DADGAD
- E Major Blues in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Major Blues in 7-string
- E Major Blues in 8-string
- E Major Blues in Drop C
- E Major Blues in Drop B
- E Major Blues in Open D
- E Major Blues in Half Step Down
- E Major Blues in Open E
- E Major Blues in Open A
- E Major Blues in Double Drop D
- E Major Blues in Open C