Open G tuning (D G D G B D)
Slide players, blues and roots guitarists, and Rolling Stones fans.
Open G tunes the guitar so that the open strings sound a G major chord: D G D G B D. The sixth, fifth and first strings each come down a whole step; the middle three stay as in standard.
It is the tuning of Delta blues slide guitar and of Keith Richards' five-string Telecaster rhythm style. Barring straight across any fret gives you a major chord, which makes slide playing and riffing simple.
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 | G2 | 98.00 Hz | −2 semitones from A2 |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | as standard |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | as standard |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | as standard |
| 1 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | −2 semitones from E4 |
From standard tuning
- String 6: lower E2 down a whole step to D2.
- String 5: lower A2 down a whole step to G2.
- String 1: lower E4 down a whole step to D4.
The other 3 strings stay in standard.
Tuning to Open G 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 G 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
- Keith Richards removes the sixth string entirely in this tuning. If you keep it, the low D works fine as a bass note; it just is not part of the G chord.
- Tune the fifth string G against the third string G an octave up to lock the chord in.
Questions
What are the notes of Open G?
D G D G B D. The open strings form a G major chord.
Which strings change from standard?
The sixth (E to D), fifth (A to G) and first (E to D) strings each drop a whole step. The fourth, third and second strings stay.
Related tunings
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