Open E tuning

Open E tuning notes and frequencies

Sound and genres

Open E has the same intervals as open D, two semitones higher: roots on strings 6, 4 and 1, the fifth on strings 5 and 2, and the third, G♯, on string 3. Because three strings are raised rather than lowered, the guitar is under more tension than in standard, which gives open E a tight, bright, cutting tone that suits electric slide.

Raising strings 5 and 4 a whole step adds roughly a quarter more tension to each, and string 3 gains about an eighth. On a solid-body electric that is rarely a problem; on a vintage or lightly built acoustic it is worth thinking twice.

• Blues
• Slide guitar
• Southern rock
• Rock
• Delta blues

How to tune to Open E

1. From standard, three strings go up: string 5 from A2 to B2 and string 4 from D3 to E3, two semitones each, and string 3 from G3 to G♯3, one semitone.
2. Strings 6, 2 and 1 (E, B and E) stay as they are.
3. Raise each string slowly, in small turns. Old strings are more likely to break when pushed above their usual pitch, so fit a fresh set if yours is worn.
4. If the tuner shows the wrong string while you are raising one, turn Detect String off and tap the peg you are tuning.
5. Check by ear: strings 6, 4 and 1 are E in three octaves, and strings 5 and 2 are B an octave apart.
6. Run the final recheck pass. Raising three strings adds pull on the neck and, on a floating tremolo, on the bridge, so the unchanged strings usually go slightly flat.

Changing from standard tuning

String by string, from standard tuning. Pick a different starting tuning to see its changes, or open the tuning changer.

Tension and the open D capo alternative

Unlike open D or open G, open E raises strings instead of lowering them, so it asks more of the guitar. Electric guitars with standard sets generally handle it well. On acoustics, especially older instruments or ones with medium strings, the extra pull on the bridge and neck is why many players avoid leaving the guitar in open E.

The common solution is to tune to open D and capo at fret 2. The intervals are identical, so every shape and slide position carries over, and the strings stay below standard tension. If you do keep a guitar in open E full time, check neck relief after a few days.

Slide positions and chords in open E

A straight slide or barre gives a major chord at every fret: open is E, fret 5 is A, fret 7 is B and fret 12 is E an octave up. Fret 3 gives G and fret 10 gives D.

Fretting string 2 at fret 3 adds D, the flat seventh, turning the open chord into E7; it is the same move that gives D7 in open D. For a minor sound, mute string 3 and fret string 1 at fret 3 to put G on top.

Chord shapes in Open E

Songs in Open E

• She Talks to Angels — The Black Crowes (1990)Source: Guitar World, 2025
• Bo Diddley — Bo Diddley (1955)Source: Fender
• Shelter from the Storm — Bob Dylan (1975)Source: Fender