Open G Tuning
This tuner is preset to Open G tuning. The instrument type and tuning are locked for this page.
Loading tuner...
Popular Songs in Open G
Practice these carefully selected songs to get familiar with Open G tuning. Each song showcases different techniques and chord progressions possible with this tuning.
12
4
7
Start Me Up
The Rolling Stones
Keith Richards' masterpiece in Open G. Essential for learning this tuning.
She Talks to Angels
The Black Crowes
Beautiful fingerpicking pattern in Open G.
Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Rolling Stones
Simple but iconic Open G riff.
That's No Way to Say Goodbye
Leonard Cohen
Demonstrates Open G's potential for folk and fingerstyle.
Prodigal Son
The Rolling Stones
Simple strumming pattern, great for Open G beginners.
Can't You Hear Me Knocking
The Rolling Stones
Extended jam showcasing Open G's versatility in rock contexts.
Why These Songs Work Well in Open G
These songs were specifically chosen because they take advantage of Open G 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 G for their music. Practice these songs to develop your ear for this tuning and discover new playing techniques.
Start Here in Open G
She Talks to Angels
The Black Crowes
Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Rolling Stones
Prodigal Son
The Rolling Stones
Practice Tips for Open G
- 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 G and standard tuning
- Experiment with the open strings to discover new chord voicings
Advertisement
In tune. Now learn a song.
We recommend Guitar Tricks for step-by-step lessons. 11,000+ lessons, 800+ real songs, 60-day money-back guarantee.
Try Guitar Tricks free for 14 days →Disclosure: Guitar Tricks affiliate link. We earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
Learn Open G After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to D2-G2-D3-G3-B3-D4, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Open G useful.
Beginner
Best approached as a beginner guitar tuning.
12
Filter the song list by difficulty and genre once you are tuned.
open g tuner, open g guitar tuner, open g tuning online, DGDGBD tuning notes
First practice targets
She Talks to Angels
The Black Crowes
Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Rolling Stones
Prodigal Son
The Rolling Stones
Related guides
About Open G Tuning
Use this Open G guitar tuner online for DGDGBD tuning: D-G-D-G-B-D from lowest to highest string. Open G tuning produces a full G major chord when all strings are strummed open, and simple barre shapes produce major chords at every fret.
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is the most famous Open G player — he often removes the 6th string entirely and plays a 5-string guitar in this tuning. Songs like "Start Me Up," "Brown Sugar," and "Honky Tonk Women" all use Open G. Before Richards, delta blues players like Robert Johnson and Son House used Open G extensively for slide guitar.
Open G is also the standard tuning for banjo, which is why guitar players in Open G can achieve that bright, rolling sound associated with bluegrass and country music. The tuning works exceptionally well for fingerpicking, slide guitar, and any style where you want rich, resonant open strings ringing underneath melody lines.
Open G is also written as DGDGBD tuning because the open strings run D-G-D-G-B-D from lowest to highest. It is not the same as G standard tuning: standard tuning intervals moved to G would use G-C-F-Bb-D-G, while Open G forms a G major chord across the open strings.
Open G Tuning Notes
From lowest to highest: D2-G2-D3-G3-B3-D4
6th string
73.42 Hz
Low D, lowered one whole step from standard E and often skipped by five-string Open G players.
5th string
98.00 Hz
Low G, lowered one whole step from standard A and the bass root of the open G major chord.
4th string
146.83 Hz
D string, unchanged from standard tuning and the fifth of the G chord.
3rd string
196.00 Hz
G string, unchanged from standard tuning and one octave above the 5th string.
2nd string
246.94 Hz
B string, unchanged from standard tuning and the major third that makes Open G sound major.
1st string
293.66 Hz
High D, lowered one whole step from standard high E and the top fifth of the open chord.
Recommended String Gauges for Open G
Standard gauge works well for Open G. The 6th string drops from E to D (same as Drop D) and the 5th string drops from A to G, so slightly heavier gauges on the lower strings (.048 or .050 for the 6th) can help maintain tension. If you play with a slide, heavier strings (.012-.054) give better sustain and resist the slide pressure.
Common Chords in Open G
G Major (open)
Strum all strings open. This is the beauty of Open G — instant major chord with no fingers needed.
Barre Chord Major
Bar all strings at any fret for a major chord. Fret 5 = C major, fret 7 = D major, fret 12 = G major (octave up).
C Major (fret 5)
Bar all strings at the 5th fret. One of the most used positions in Open G rock and blues.
D Major (fret 7)
Bar at the 7th fret. Combined with the open G, this gives you the classic I-IV-V blues progression.
How to Tune to Open G (D2-G2-D3-G3-B3-D4)
Start from standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E.
Tune the 6th string down from E2 to D2. This is the same low string move as Drop D.
Tune the 5th string down from A2 to G2. This becomes the main low root for Open G, especially if you mute or remove the 6th string.
Keep the 4th string at D3, the 3rd string at G3, and the 2nd string at B3.
Tune the 1st string down from E4 to D4.
Strum all six strings open and listen for a clear G major chord: D-G-D-G-B-D. Recheck the lowered 6th, 5th, and 1st strings after they settle.
Open G Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
Can I use this as an Open G tuner online?
Yes. This Open G guitar tuner is set for D-G-D-G-B-D / DGDGBD tuning, with target notes D2, G2, D3, G3, B3, and D4.
What notes are in Open G tuning?
Open G tuning uses D-G-D-G-B-D from lowest to highest string. Starting from standard tuning, lower the 6th string to D, lower the 5th string to G, keep D-G-B in the middle, and lower the 1st string to D.
Is Open G the same as DGDGBD tuning?
Yes. Open G and DGDGBD tuning refer to the same open-string notes: D-G-D-G-B-D from lowest to highest string.
Is Open G the same as G standard tuning?
No. Open G is D-G-D-G-B-D and forms a G major chord when strummed open. G standard keeps standard tuning intervals at G-C-F-Bb-D-G.
Why do some players remove the 6th string in Open G?
Some players mute or remove the low D string so the 5th string G becomes the bass root. This makes Open G riffs tighter and avoids a low fifth below the root, especially for Keith Richards-style rhythm parts.
What string gauge works best for Open G?
Normal .010-.046 or .011-.050 strings work well for Open G. If you play slide guitar, a heavier set such as .011-.050 or .012-.054 can add sustain and resist slide pressure.
What notes are in Open G tuning?
Open G tuning uses D2-G2-D3-G3-B3-D4 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 G tuning best for?
Open G is especially useful for open g tuner, open g guitar tuner, open g tuning online. 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 G tuning good for beginners?
Open G is a beginner 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 G tuning?
Popular examples in Open G include Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones, She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes, Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones. Use the song list on this page to filter by difficulty and pick a first practice target.