Open G Tuning
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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.
View all 12 songs in Open GStart 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.
💡 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
About Open G Tuning
Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) produces a full G major chord when all strings are strummed open. It's one of the most important tunings in blues, slide guitar, and rock music. The open chord rings out beautifully, 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.
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)
From standard tuning, three strings change: the 6th, 5th, and 1st strings. The middle three (D, G, B) stay the same.
Tune the 6th string down from E to D. Same as Drop D — fret at the 12th fret to match the open 4th string.
Tune the 5th string down from A to G. Fret the 5th string at the 12th fret — it should match the open 3rd string (G).
Tune the 1st string down from E to D. Fret the 1st string at the 12th fret — it should match the open 4th string (D, two octaves up).
Strum all six strings open — you should hear a full, rich G major chord. If any note sounds off, recheck that string.