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Guitar
Open B Tuning Online
Open B tuning notes:
B1F#2B2F#3B3D#4
This tuner is preset to Open B guitar tuning (BF#BF#BD#). Lower the strings gradually, then tune B-F#-B-F#-B-D# from low to high.
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Learn Open B After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to B1-F#2-B2-F#3-B3-D#4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Open B useful.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
Songs
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
Best for
Open B tuning, Open B tuning guitar, Open B guitar tuner, BF#BF#BD# tuning notes
First practice targets
This tuning does not have a song list yet. Start by learning the target notes, then compare nearby tunings and chord shapes.
Open the chord libraryRelated guides
Open tunings explainedCompare Open B tuning with Open E, Open A, Open D, and other major-chord tunings.Tuning stability tipsKeep the low B string focused after tuning Open B from standard tuning.B Standard tunerUse B Standard tuning (B-E-A-D-F#-B) if you want standard intervals instead of an open B major chord.
About Open B Guitar Tuning (BF#BF#BD#)
Open B tuning (B-F#-B-F#-B-D#) turns the open strings into a B major chord. Strum all six strings without fretting and you get the root, fifth, and major third of B spread across the guitar.
Open B is a true open major tuning, not B Standard or Drop B. B Standard keeps normal guitar intervals at B-E-A-D-F#-B, Drop B keeps the drop-tuning power-chord layout, and Open B rearranges the strings into a B major chord for slide, drones, and straight-barre chord shapes.
Use Open B when you want a lower, darker open-tuning sound than Open D, Open E, or Open A. Barre the 5th fret for E major, the 7th fret for F# major, and the 12th fret for B major one octave higher.
Use this page when you need an Open B guitar tuner with exact BF#BF#BD# notes, note frequencies, string gauges, chord shapes, and a quick comparison with B Standard and Drop B.
Because the lowest string drops to B1 while the highest string drops only a half step to D#, the guitar will feel uneven on light strings. Heavier low strings help the low B stay focused and keep the open chord from sounding floppy.
Open B Tuning Notes (BF#BF#BD#)
From lowest to highest: B1-F#2-B2-F#3-B3-D#4
6th string (low B)
61.74 Hz
Low B, the bass root of the open B major chord.
5th string (F#)
92.50 Hz
F#, the fifth of the B chord.
4th string (B)
123.47 Hz
B, one octave above the low root.
3rd string (F#)
185.00 Hz
F#, adding another fifth in the middle register.
2nd string (B)
246.94 Hz
B, a higher root note for chord clarity.
1st string (D#)
311.13 Hz
D#, the major third that makes the open chord sound major.
Recommended String Gauges for Open B Guitar Tuning
.012-.060 or .013-.062
Open B puts the lowest string far below standard pitch, so a heavier low string helps tuning stability and attack. Standard light strings may work for quick experiments, but a .060-style low string is a better starting point if you play Open B regularly.
Common Chords in Open B Guitar Tuning
B Major (open)
Strum all strings open for the core Open B sound.
E Major (fret 5)
Bar all strings at the 5th fret for E major, the IV chord in B.
F# Major (fret 7)
Bar all strings at the 7th fret for F# major, the V chord.
B5 Drone
Use the 6th, 4th, and 2nd strings as ringing B roots while adding melody on the F# and D# strings.
How to Tune a Guitar to Open B (B1-F#2-B2-F#3-B3-D#4)
1
Select the Open B preset and start from standard tuning. Tune down carefully, giving the low strings time to settle.
2
Tune the 6th string down to B1.
3
Tune the 5th string down to F#2.
4
Tune the 4th string down to B2.
5
Tune the 3rd string down to F#3 and the 2nd string stays at B3.
6
Tune the 1st string down to D#4. Strum all six strings open and listen for a clear B major chord: B-F#-B-F#-B-D#.
7
If the low B sounds loose or pitchy, retune after a few minutes of playing or move to a heavier low string.
Open B Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Open B tuning?
Open B tuning uses B-F#-B-F#-B-D# from lowest to highest string. Those notes spell a B major chord: B as the root, F# as the fifth, and D# as the major third.
Is Open B the same as B-F#-B-F#-B-D# tuning?
Yes. Open B and B-F#-B-F#-B-D# tuning refer to the same open-string notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Is Open B tuning the same as B Standard?
No. Open B uses B-F#-B-F#-B-D# so the open strings form a B major chord. B Standard uses B-E-A-D-F#-B and preserves normal standard-tuning intervals at a lower pitch.
Is Open B the same as Drop B tuning?
No. Drop B is B-F#-B-E-G#-C# and is built for one-finger power chords. Open B is B-F#-B-F#-B-D# and is built around an open B major chord.
What string gauge works best for Open B?
A heavier set such as .012-.060 or .013-.062 helps the low B stay focused. Standard light strings can work for testing the tuning, but the lowest string may feel loose.
What notes are in Open B tuning?
Open B tuning uses B1-F#2-B2-F#3-B3-D#4 from lowest to highest string on guitar. Tune each string to those target notes, then double-check the low strings because they can drift after the neck tension changes.
What is Open B tuning best for?
Open B is especially useful for Open B tuning, Open B tuning guitar, Open B guitar tuner. 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 Open B tuning good for beginners?
Open B 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 Open B tuning?
Open B is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.
Do I need different strings for Open B?
Lower tunings often feel better with slightly heavier strings, especially on the lowest string. If the pitch wobbles or the string buzzes, move up a gauge or dedicate one guitar to that tuning.