What notes are in Nashville tuning?

Nashville tuning uses E3-A3-D4-G4-B3-E4 from lowest to highest string. The lower four string names stay E-A-D-G, but each is tuned one octave above normal standard tuning.

Is Nashville tuning the same as high-strung guitar?

Yes. Nashville tuning and high-strung guitar usually mean the same thing: a 6-string guitar strung with the octave strings from a 12-string style setup.

Can I use normal strings for Nashville tuning?

No. Do not tune normal low E, A, D, and G strings up an octave. Use a Nashville/high-strung set or the octave strings from a 12-string set so the strings can reach E3, A3, D4, and G4 safely.

Do Nashville tuning chord shapes change?

No. Standard chord shapes still work because the note names remain E-A-D-G-B-E. The sound changes because the lowest four strings are in a higher octave.

Is Nashville tuning the same as a 12-string guitar?

Not exactly. Nashville tuning uses only the high octave side of a 12-string style sound. It works especially well when layered with a normal standard-tuned guitar.

What is Nashville tuning best for?

Nashville is especially useful for high-strung acoustic layers, 12-string shimmer, studio double-tracking. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.

Is Nashville tuning good for beginners?

Nashville is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.

What songs use Nashville tuning?

Popular examples in Nashville include Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones, Hey You by Pink Floyd, Dust in the Wind by Kansas. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.

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Guitar

Songs in Nashville Tuning

Tuning:

E3A3D4G4B3E4

Discover 5 popular songs that use Nashville tuning. Filter by difficulty, genre, or search for specific songs and artists.

Showing 5 of 5 songs

IntermediateFolk Rock1977

Dust in the Wind

Kansas

A strong example of Nashville-tuned acoustic doubling alongside standard guitar for a wide, 12-string-like sound.