Open E Tuning Online
This Open E guitar tuner is preset to EBEG#BE tuning. Tune E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4 from low E to high E, raising A, D, and G gradually.
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Popular Songs in Open E
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Open E tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
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2
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Shake for Me
Howlin' Wolf
Classic blues slide guitar in Open E.
Little Wing
Jimi Hendrix
Beautiful chord voicings and melodic playing in Open E.
Life by the Drop
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Fingerpicked Open E ballad showcasing gentle slide work.
Slide
Goo Goo Dolls
Simple Open E strumming pattern with occasional slide effects.
Crossroads
Robert Johnson
Legendary delta blues piece perfect for Open E slide guitar.
Dust My Broom
Elmore James
Electric blues standard featuring prominent slide guitar in Open E.
Why These Songs Work Well in Open E
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Open E tuning's unique characteristics. Whether it's the open chord voicings, easier fingering patterns, or the distinctive sound that this tuning provides, each song demonstrates why many guitarists choose Open E for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Start Here in Open E
Slide
Goo Goo Dolls
Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Practice Tips for Open E
- Start with the beginner-level songs to get comfortable with the tuning
- Focus on how chord shapes differ from standard tuning
- Listen to the original recordings to understand the intended sound
- Practice transitioning between Open E and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
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Learn Open E After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Open E useful.
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate guitar tuning.
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Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
Open E tuning, Open E tuning guitar, Open E guitar tuner, EBEG#BE tuning notes
First practice targets
Related guides
About Open E Guitar Tuning (EBEG#BE)
Open E tuning for guitar (E-B-E-G#-B-E) turns the open strings into an E major chord for blues, rock, and slide guitar. It is closely related to Open D, but tuned a whole step higher for a brighter, tighter slide sound.
Use this Open E tuning online page as an EBEG#BE note check: 6th string E2, 5th string B2, 4th string E3, 3rd string G#3, 2nd string B3, and 1st string E4.
Blues and slide players use Open E for ringing major chords, strong sustain, and quick I-IV-V movement with a slide or barre. The open E chord also works well for rock riffs because the lowest string stays at E.
Because Open E raises three strings above standard pitch, string tension increases. Tune up slowly, listen for strain, and consider using lighter strings or tuning to Open D with a capo on the second fret if your guitar feels tight.
Open E is also written as EBEG#BE tuning because the open strings run E-B-E-G#-B-E from lowest to highest. It is not the same as E standard tuning: standard guitar tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E and does not form an E major chord across all open strings.
Use this page when you want an Open E guitar tuner with the exact string order, note frequencies, slide-guitar chord shapes, and safer tuning-up steps for E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4.
Target tuning
E-B-E-G#-B-E
Open E guitar tuning notes from the 6th string to the 1st string.
From standard
EADGBE to EBEG#BE
Keep both E strings and B, then raise A to B, D to E, and G to G#.
Safer option
Open D capo 2
Tune to Open D and capo the 2nd fret for the Open E sound with less tension.
Open E Tuning Notes (EBEG#BE)
From lowest to highest: E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4
6th string (low E)
82.41 Hz
Low E, unchanged from standard tuning and the bass root of the open E major chord.
5th string (B)
123.47 Hz
B string, raised one whole step from standard A and the fifth of the E chord.
4th string (E)
164.81 Hz
Middle E, raised one whole step from standard D and one octave above the low E.
3rd string (G#)
207.65 Hz
G# string, raised one half step from standard G and the major third that makes Open E sound major.
2nd string (B)
246.94 Hz
B string, unchanged from standard tuning and a higher fifth of the chord.
1st string (high E)
329.63 Hz
High E, unchanged from standard tuning and the top root for slide lines and melodies.
Recommended String Gauges for Open E Guitar Tuning
Open E raises the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings above standard pitch, so light or standard electric sets are the safest starting point. If an acoustic guitar feels tight in Open E, tune to Open D and capo the 2nd fret for the same chord shape with less neck and string tension.
Common Chords in Open E Guitar Tuning
E Major (open)
The open strings form a full E major chord.
A Major (fret 5)
Bar all strings at the 5th fret for A major.
B Major (fret 7)
Bar all strings at the 7th fret for B major.
Slide Major Chords
Use a slide straight across the strings for movable major chords.
How to Tune a Guitar to Open E (E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4)
Select the Open E preset and start from standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E.
Keep the 6th string at E2.
Tune the 5th string up from A2 to B2. Raise the pitch slowly because this adds tension.
Tune the 4th string up from D3 to E3.
Tune the 3rd string up from G3 to G#3.
Keep the 2nd string at B3 and the 1st string at E4.
Strum all strings open and listen for a clear E major chord: E-B-E-G#-B-E. Recheck the raised strings before playing hard or using a slide.
Open E Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
How do I tune a guitar to Open E from standard?
Start from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Keep the 6th string E2, 2nd string B3, and 1st string E4. Raise the 5th string A2 to B2, raise the 4th string D3 to E3, and raise the 3rd string G3 to G#3.
What notes are in Open E tuning?
Open E tuning uses E-B-E-G#-B-E from lowest to highest string. Starting from standard tuning, keep both E strings and the B string, then raise A to B, D to E, and G to G#.
Is Open E the same as EBEG#BE tuning?
Yes. Open E and EBEG#BE tuning refer to the same open-string notes: E-B-E-G#-B-E from lowest to highest string.
Is Open E the same as standard tuning?
No. Open E is E-B-E-G#-B-E and forms an E major chord when strummed open. Standard tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E and uses normal guitar intervals.
Is Open E safe for acoustic guitar?
Open E raises three strings above standard pitch, so it adds tension. Many acoustic players tune to Open D instead and use a capo on the 2nd fret to get the Open E sound with less strain.
What string gauge works best for Open E?
Normal .009-.042 or .010-.046 electric strings work well for Open E. Avoid very heavy strings if you tune up often, and raise the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings gradually.
What notes are in Open E tuning?
Open E tuning uses E2-B2-E3-G#3-B3-E4 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 E tuning best for?
Open E is especially useful for Open E tuning, Open E tuning guitar, Open E 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 E tuning good for beginners?
Open E 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 E tuning?
Popular examples in Open E include Shake for Me by Howlin' Wolf, Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix, Life by the Drop by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.