Guitar and technique
Open tuning (Open G, Open D)
An open tuning sets the open strings to a major chord, such as Open G (D G D G B D) or Open D (D A D F# A D), ideal for slide guitar.
What is an open tuning?
In an open tuning the open strings form a complete major chord: strum without fretting anything and a chord rings out. One finger (or a slide) laid across any fret then gives you another major chord.
The two most common are Open G and Open D. They come from Delta blues and folk and are still the foundation of slide guitar. Unlike Drop D, which changes one string, an open tuning changes three or four.
How do you tune to Open G (D G D G B D)?
From standard tuning, lower three strings by a whole step:
- 6th string: E down to D (one octave below the open 4th string);
- 5th string: A down to G (one octave below the open 3rd string);
- 1st string: E down to D (one octave above the open 4th string).
Strings 4, 3 and 2 (D, G, B) stay the same. The lowest open note is D, so the full strum is G/D, a slash chord with the fifth in the bass. For a G in the bass, strum only the top five strings, or remove the 6th string as some rock players do.
Useful barres: fret 0 = G, fret 5 = C, fret 7 = D, fret 12 = G. That is a full I-IV-V blues with one finger.
How do you tune to Open D (D A D F# A D)?
From standard, change four strings:
- 6th string: E down to D (whole step);
- 3rd string: G down to F# (half step);
- 2nd string: B down to A (whole step);
- 1st string: E down to D (whole step).
This time the lowest note is the root, so the open strum is a deep, full D major. Barres: fret 5 = G, fret 7 = A, fret 12 = D. Open D is a close cousin of DADGAD: raise the 3rd string from F# to G and you switch from one to the other.
How do you play minor chords in an open tuning?
Lower the third by one fret. First find which string carries it:
- Open G: the third is on the 2nd string. In the fret 5 barre (C), the 2nd string gives E; play it at the 4th fret instead and you get Cm (5 5 5 5 4 5).
- Open D: the third is on the 3rd string. In the fret 5 barre (G), the 3rd string gives B; play it at the 4th fret for Gm (5 5 5 4 5 5).
The alternate tunings tool shows these shapes and the scales for each tuning, handy once you want to go beyond straight barres.
Exercise: an Open G riff
Alternate two shapes, two beats each, at 100 BPM:
- strings 5 to 1 open: G;
- strings 4, 3 and 2 at the 5th fret (G, C, E) with the 5th string open: C/G.
Then add the 7th fret barre (D) to close each four-bar cycle. With a slide, hold it directly over the fret wire without pressing down, and mute behind it with your index finger.
Key takeaways
- Open G = D G D G B D, Open D = D A D F# A D.
- A one-finger barre is a major chord: frets 5 and 7 give the IV and V.
- For minor, lower the third one fret (2nd string in Open G, 3rd string in Open D).
- In Open G the lowest open note is D: strum five strings for a G bass.
Frequently asked questions
Open G or Open D: which is better for slide?
Open D has a deeper bass and sits in D, great for fingerpicked acoustic blues. Open G sounds brighter and suits rhythmic riffs. Try both on the same song: the choice mostly depends on the key that fits your voice.
What is the difference between Open D and Open E?
They share the same intervals: Open E (E B E G# B E) is Open D raised a whole step. Tuning three strings up adds tension, so many players prefer Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret.
Can you play scales in an open tuning?
Yes, but standard fingerings no longer work on the retuned strings. Start with the major pentatonic around the open strings (frets 0 to 3), then learn the shapes around the 5th and 7th fret barres.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.