Open tunings
An open tuning sets the open strings to a chord, usually a major chord, so you can strum without fretting and play a full chord with one finger or a slide at any fret.
All open tunings
| Guitar tunings | Notes |
|---|---|
| Open D | D A D F♯ A D |
| Open E | E B E G♯ B E |
| Open G | D G D G B D |
| Open A | E A E A C♯ E |
| Open C | C G C G C E |
| Open C6 | C A C G C E |
| Open D Minor | D A D F A D |
| Open G Minor | D G D G B♭ D |
How open tunings work
Because the open strings already form a chord, laying a finger or slide straight across the strings at any fret gives another chord of the same type. In the major open tunings, fret 5 gives the IV chord and fret 7 gives the V chord, so a three-chord blues or folk song needs only three positions.
The trade-off is that standard chord shapes no longer work. Minor chords and sevenths need new, usually partial, shapes, and scale patterns have to be relearned string by string.
Choosing an open tuning
Open G puts the root on strings 5 and 3 with the fifth in the bass; it is the classic choice for rhythm riffs and slide in G. Open D puts the root on strings 6, 4 and 1 for a deep, settled sound and is popular for folk and fingerstyle. Open E has the same intervals as open D two semitones higher, with a brighter, tighter feel, but it raises three strings. Open C has the widest range, down to C2, and suits spacious acoustic fingerstyle.
DADGAD is open D with string 3 on G instead of F♯, which makes a suspended chord rather than a major one. It is the usual next step for fingerstyle players who like open D.
For slide, choose by key: open G for G, open D for D, and open E, or open D with a capo at fret 2, for E. For fingerstyle, open D, open C and DADGAD give the most drone under a melody.
Strings and setup for open tunings
Open G and open D only lower strings, so any standard set works. Open E raises strings 5 and 4 by a whole step and string 3 by a semitone, adding roughly a quarter more tension to strings 5 and 4; on older or lightly built acoustics, use open D with a capo at fret 2 instead. Open C drops string 6 four semitones, so a heavier low string or a medium acoustic set keeps it from buzzing.
Slide players often raise the action slightly and use a heavier set so the slide does not clatter on the frets. If you play slide only now and then, a light touch with the slide resting on the strings works on a normal setup.
Open tunings move three or four strings at once. Tune them one at a time, turn Detect String off and tap the peg for any big move, and finish with the final recheck pass. The tuning changer lists which strings move and by how much.
Frequently asked questions
What is an open tuning?
A tuning in which the open strings, strummed without fretting, sound a chord. Open G, open D, open E and open C all form major chords.
Which open tuning is best for slide guitar?
Open G and open D are the most common starting points, and open E is popular for electric slide in E. Choose the one whose home key matches the music you play.
Which open tuning is easiest to start with?
Open G or open D. Both only lower strings from standard and give a full major chord with no fretting.
Are open tunings bad for my guitar?
Open G, open D, open C and DADGAD lower overall tension. Open E raises it, which is why many players use open D with a capo at fret 2 instead.
How do I play minor chords in an open tuning?
Mute or avoid the string that carries the third and fret a minor third on another string. If a piece is mostly minor, a minor open tuning such as open D minor saves the effort.
Is DADGAD an open tuning?
Loosely. Its open strings form Dsus4 rather than a major or minor chord, so it is often grouped with open tunings and described as modal.