Open G tuning

Open G tuning notes and frequencies

Sound and genres

The root G sits on strings 5 and 3, the fifth D on strings 6, 4 and 1, and the third B on string 2. Strummed open it is a full G major chord with a low D underneath, and a single finger or slide across the strings at any fret gives another major chord.

Strings 4 to 1 (D G B D) match the four long strings of a five-string banjo in open G, which gives the tuning its ringing, bouncy character. Hold a barre and hammer string 2 up one fret for a sus4, or add string 4 at fret 2 for a sixth: small moves that drive a lot of rock rhythm guitar.

• Blues
• Slide guitar
• Rock
• Folk
• Country

How to tune to Open G

1. From standard, lower three strings two semitones each: string 6 from E2 to D2, string 5 from A2 to G2 and string 1 from E4 to D4.
2. Strings 4, 3 and 2 (D, G and B) stay as they are.
3. Go slightly below each new note and tighten up to it. If the tuner reads a string you are lowering as its neighbor, turn Detect String off and tap that string's peg.
4. Check by ear: open strings 5 and 3 are G an octave apart, and strings 6, 4 and 1 are D in three octaves.
5. Strum all six strings open; an even G chord with no beating means you are close. Then run the final recheck pass in the tune-up checklist for the last few cents.

Changing from standard tuning

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

Slide and barre positions in open G

With a slide or a one-finger barre, fret 5 gives C, fret 7 gives D and fret 12 gives G an octave up, so a whole blues in G sits at the open strings, fret 5 and fret 7. Fret 3 gives B♭ and fret 10 gives F, the flat-side chords that turn up in blues and rock.

Hold the slide directly over the fret wire, not between frets, and let it rest on the strings without pressing them to the fingerboard. A spare finger lying lightly behind the slide stops the strings ringing on the wrong side.

Many players leave string 6 out of strummed chords, because its D puts the fifth in the bass. Barring strings 5 to 1 keeps the root G at the bottom.

Minor chords and setup

A straight slide can only make major chords, so minor chords need fretted partial shapes. For E minor, fret strings 4 and 1 at fret 2 and let strings 3 and 2 ring open; the same shape at frets 7, 5, 5 and 7 gives A minor.

For slide, a slightly heavier set and a little more action keep the slide from clanking on the frets, which is why some players keep a dedicated slide guitar. If you play slide only now and then, a light touch works on a normal setup. Open G only lowers strings, so it is safe on any guitar.

Chord shapes in Open G

Songs in Open G

• Brown Sugar — The Rolling Stones (1971). Keith Richards plays open G on five strings (low D removed)Source: Guitar World, 2025
• Start Me Up — The Rolling Stones (1981). Keith Richards plays open G on five strings (low D removed)Source: Guitar World, 2025
• Dancing Days — Led Zeppelin (1973)Source: Guitar World, 2025
• Little Green — Joni Mitchell (1971), capo 5Source: JoniMitchell.com (official site)
• Ain't Much Left of Me — Blackberry Smoke (2012)Source: Guitar World, 2025 (Charlie Starr column)