Guitar Scale Logic
E Diminished Guitar Scale in Open D
Diminished scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D |------------------------------------------1--2--| A |------------------------------------3--4--------| F#|---------------------------1--3--4--------------| D |------------------1--2--4-----------------------| A |------0--1--3--4--------------------------------| D |2--4--------------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 16 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The E Diminished scale uses E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C, C♯, D♯ and the formula 1 2 b3 4 b5 b6 6 7. In Open D tuning, the open strings run D A F# D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each E root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Diminished sounds tense, patterned and highly dramatic. Try it for transition runs, shred lines and diminished dominant colour. Open D is D-A-D-F#-A-D from low to high. Its open strings form a D major chord, which you can use alongside fretted melody notes.
Sequence the repeating interval pattern and resolve the tension on a strong chord tone. In Open D, find the D roots first, then follow the notes across the strings.
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- C♯
- D♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Edimdiminished
- F♯dimdiminished
- F♯m7b5minor 7 flat 5
- F♯7dominant 7
- F♯mminor
- F♯major
- F♯5power
- Gdimdiminished
- Adimdiminished
- Am7b5minor 7 flat 5