Open Tunings Explained

Discover the world of open tunings and how they can unlock new creative possibilities for your music.

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What are Open Tunings?

Open tunings are alternative guitar tunings where the open strings form a chord when strummed without fretting any notes. These tunings open up new sonic possibilities and make certain chord progressions and fingerpicking patterns much easier to play, creating rich harmonic textures that are impossible to achieve in standard tuning.

How Open Tunings Differ from Standard Tuning

Standard Tuning (EADGBE)

  • • No chord when played open
  • • Requires complex fingering for extended chords
  • • Optimized for single-note melodies
  • • Familiar chord shapes

Open Tunings

  • • Forms chord when strummed open
  • • Complex chords with simple fingerings
  • • Natural resonance and sustain
  • • New chord voicings and progressions

The beauty of open tunings lies in their ability to create complex harmonic relationships with minimal finger work. A simple one-finger barre can create beautiful chords that would require complicated fingering in standard tuning, making these tunings particularly appealing for songwriters, fingerstyle players, and slide guitarists.

Theory Behind Open Tunings

Understanding the theory behind open tunings helps you choose the right tuning for your musical goals and opens up creative possibilities you might not have considered.

Chord Construction in Open Tunings

Major Chord Open Tunings

These tunings form major chords when played open:

  • • Open G: Forms G major (G-B-D)
  • • Open D: Forms D major (D-F#-A)
  • • Open E: Forms E major (E-G#-B)
  • • Open A: Forms A major (A-C#-E)

Modal and Sus Chord Tunings

These create more ambiguous or modal sounds:

  • • DADGAD: Forms Dsus4 (D-G-A)
  • • DADGBE: Creates perfect 4th and 5th intervals

Harmonic Benefits

  • Natural Resonance: Open strings vibrate sympathetically, creating rich overtones
  • Easier Voice Leading: Smooth transitions between chord tones
  • Extended Harmonies: Access to 9th, 11th, and 13th chords with simple fingerings
  • Drone Effects: Open strings can provide constant harmonic foundation

Open G Deep Dive

Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) is perhaps the most famous open tuning, immortalized by Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones. Let's explore why this tuning has captivated guitarists for decades.

How to Tune to Open G

From standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), make these changes:

  • 6th string: E → D (down one whole step)
  • 5th string: A → G (down one whole step)
  • 4th string: D → D (stays the same)
  • 3rd string: G → G (stays the same)
  • 2nd string: B → B (stays the same)
  • 1st string: E → D (down one whole step)

Famous Open G Songs

  • • "Start Me Up" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Honky Tonk Women" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones
  • • "She Talks to Angels" - Black Crowes
  • • "Big Yellow Taxi" - Joni Mitchell

Open G Chord Shapes

  • • G major: Open strings
  • • C major: 5th fret barre
  • • D major: 7th fret barre
  • • F major: 10th fret barre
  • • Cadd9: 5th fret + 2nd string open

Keith Richards' Open G Approach

Keith Richards often removes the 6th string entirely when playing in Open G, creating a 5-string approach that focuses on the core G-B-D triad. This technique eliminates the low D and creates a tighter, more focused sound that cuts through dense rock mixes.

This approach also makes certain chord progressions easier to play and gives the guitar a unique tonal character that's become synonymous with classic rock.

DADGAD Explained

DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D) is a modal tuning that creates a Dsus4 chord and has become synonymous with Celtic music, folk fingerpicking, and world music. Its versatility and rich harmonic possibilities make it a favorite among many guitarists.

Why DADGAD is Special

  • Modal Character: The Dsus4 sound creates an open, ambiguous tonality
  • Fingerpicking Friendly: Perfect intervals between strings facilitate complex patterns
  • Drone Possibilities: Open D strings provide constant harmonic foundation
  • Celtic Tradition: Ideal for traditional Irish and Scottish music

Famous DADGAD Artists

  • • Davey Graham (pioneer of DADGAD)
  • • Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
  • • Pierre Bensusan
  • • Andy McKee
  • • Celtic Thunder

DADGAD Songs to Learn

  • • "Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "Going to California" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "Black Mountainside" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "The Water is Wide" - Traditional
  • • "Rylynn" - Andy McKee

Fingerpicking in Open Tunings

Open tunings are particularly well-suited for fingerpicking because the open strings provide natural harmonies and the chord shapes allow for complex patterns that would be difficult in standard tuning.

Fingerpicking Advantages in Open Tunings

Technical Benefits

  • • Simpler chord shapes free up fingers for melody
  • • Open strings provide natural bass notes
  • • Harmonics are easier to access and sound richer
  • • Campanella effects (bell-like ringing) occur naturally

Musical Benefits

  • • Rich harmonic relationships between strings
  • • Natural sustain and resonance
  • • Easier to create flowing, legato lines
  • • Drone effects enhance modal character

Basic Fingerpicking Patterns for Open Tunings

Try these patterns in any open tuning (shown for Open G):

  • Pattern 1: Thumb-Index-Middle-Ring (T-I-M-R) on strings 6-3-2-1
  • Pattern 2: Travis Picking adaptation: T-I-T-M pattern
  • Pattern 3: Arpeggiated approach: T-I-M-I-M-R-M-I
  • Pattern 4: Celtic-style: Emphasis on drone strings with melody on top

Slide Guitar and Open Tunings

Open tunings and slide guitar are natural partners. The ability to play full chords by barring across all strings makes slide guitar much more accessible and musically rich in open tunings.

Why Open Tunings Work for Slide

  • Full Chords: Slide across all strings for complete harmony
  • Easier Intervals: Perfect 4ths and 5ths are readily available
  • Natural Resonance: Open strings ring sympathetically
  • Smoother Voice Leading: Chord changes sound more connected

Popular Slide Tunings

  • • Open E: Robert Johnson, Duane Allman
  • • Open G: Keith Richards, Ry Cooder
  • • Open D: Bonnie Raitt, Derek Trucks
  • • Open A: Less common but effective

Slide Guitar Techniques in Open Tunings

  • Chord Slides: Move the slide to different frets for different chords
  • Partial Slides: Cover only some strings for partial chord voicings
  • Vibrato: Use wrist motion to create expressive vibrato
  • Muting: Use your picking hand to mute unwanted strings
  • Harmonics: Find sweet spots for natural harmonics at 5th, 7th, and 12th frets

Famous Songs in Open Tunings

Learning songs that use open tunings is one of the best ways to understand how these tunings work in practice. Here are some essential songs organized by tuning.

Open G Songs

  • • "Start Me Up" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Honky Tonk Women" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Brown Sugar" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Tumbling Dice" - Rolling Stones
  • • "She Talks to Angels" - Black Crowes
  • • "Big Yellow Taxi" - Joni Mitchell
  • • "That's No Way to Say Goodbye" - Leonard Cohen
  • • "Prodigal Son" - Rolling Stones
  • • "Spanish Castle Magic" - Jimi Hendrix
  • • "Key to the Highway" - Blues standard

DADGAD Songs

  • • "Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "Going to California" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "Black Mountainside" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "White Summer" - Led Zeppelin
  • • "The Water is Wide" - Traditional
  • • "Rylynn" - Andy McKee
  • • "Drifting" - Andy McKee
  • • "Celtic Spirit" - David Russell
  • • "Angie" - Bert Jansch
  • • "The Crying Machine" - Steve Vai

Open D Songs

  • • "Death Letter" - Son House
  • • "Circle" - Harry Chapin
  • • "The Way Young Lovers Do" - Van Morrison
  • • "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
  • • "Cinnamon Girl" - Neil Young
  • • "Soon Forget" - Pearl Jam
  • • Many traditional folk songs
  • • Blues standards in slide style

Getting Started with Open Tunings

Ready to dive into open tunings? Here's a step-by-step approach to get you started and avoid common pitfalls.

Step 1: Choose Your First Open Tuning

Recommended order for beginners:

  1. Open G: Most accessible, lots of songs to learn
  2. DADGAD: Great for fingerpicking, rich harmonic possibilities
  3. Open D: Excellent for folk and slide guitar
  4. Open E: After you're comfortable with the others

Step 2: Essential Equipment

  • • Reliable tuner: Electronic tuner or tuning app
  • • Capo: Useful for changing keys in open tunings
  • • Extra strings: Have spares for frequent retuning
  • • Slide (optional): Glass or metal for authentic open tuning sounds

Step 3: Learning Approach

  1. Tune carefully and double-check with a tuner
  2. Start by strumming the open strings to hear the chord
  3. Try simple barre chords at different frets
  4. Learn one simple song in that tuning
  5. Experiment with fingerpicking patterns
  6. Gradually explore more complex chord shapes

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need different strings for open tunings?

Most open tunings work fine with regular guitar strings, though some tunings that significantly lower string tension might benefit from slightly heavier gauge strings for better tone and intonation. If you're frequently switching between tunings, consider keeping a dedicated guitar for alternative tunings.

Which open tuning should I learn first?

Open G is often recommended as a first open tuning because it's relatively easy to achieve from standard tuning and has been used in countless popular songs. DADGAD is another excellent starting point, especially if you're interested in fingerpicking or Celtic music.

Can I play lead guitar in open tunings?

Absolutely! Open tunings offer unique scale patterns and melodic possibilities. While you'll need to learn new fingering patterns, many guitarists find that open tunings inspire different approaches to lead playing and open up new creative avenues for improvisation.

Will frequent retuning damage my guitar?

Occasional retuning for open tunings won't damage your guitar. However, frequent dramatic changes in string tension can affect intonation and neck relief over time. Many guitarists solve this by keeping a dedicated guitar for alternative tunings or by choosing one open tuning to focus on.