Open D minor tuning (D A D F A D)
Slide players, fingerstyle writers and anyone who wants DADGAD's atmosphere in a minor key.
D2A2D3F3A3D4
Open D minor tunes the open strings to a D minor chord: D A D F A D. It is Open D with the third string lowered one more half step, from F♯ to F, so the open chord turns minor.
Bottleneck players use it for darker material, and fingerstyle composers like it for the same reason as DADGAD: drones everywhere and sad, open voicings.
Notes and frequencies
From the thickest string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | D2 | 73.42 Hz | −2 semitones from E2 |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | as standard |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | as standard |
| 3 | F3 | 174.61 Hz | −2 semitones from G3 |
| 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | −2 semitones from B3 |
| 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | −2 semitones from E4 |
From standard tuning
- String 6: lower E2 down a whole step to D2.
- String 3: lower G3 down a whole step to F3.
- String 2: lower B3 down a whole step to A3.
- String 1: lower E4 down a whole step to D4.
The other 2 strings stay in standard.
Tuning to Open Dm in TuneGlass
- The app opens in 6-string guitar mode; if you changed the instrument, switch back in Settings.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose Open Dm from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- Five strings move from standard; tune them in two passes. The F on the third string is the note that makes it minor, so tune it last and carefully.
- Barring across any fret gives a minor chord; lifting the third-string note a fret up turns it major.
Questions
What are the notes of Open Dm?
D A D F A D, low to high.
Open Dm vs DADGAD?
DADGAD has G on the third string (suspended); Open Dm has F (minor third). Everything else is identical.
Related tunings
English