Alternate tunings can seem like venturing into uncharted territory for guitarists, but they are often more accessible and rewarding than you might think. By simply adjusting a few tuning pegs, you can unlock a completely new sonic palette and approach to your instrument. In this guide, we’ll explore Open G Guitar tuning, a popular alternate tuning particularly favored in blues and folk music. We’ll delve into what open G tuning is, how to achieve it on your guitar, and highlight some well-known songs that utilize this versatile tuning.
What is Open G Tuning and Why Explore It?
Open G tuning is a unique guitar setup that allows you to strum a G major chord without fretting any notes. It earns its name from this very characteristic: by tuning your guitar strings to specific notes, you create an open G chord when played in the open position. These notes, which form a G chord, are G, B, and D.
In essence, with open G guitar tuning, striking the strings without pressing down on any frets produces a rich, resonant G major chord.
One of the primary advantages of tuning your guitar to open G is the simplification of certain chord shapes. While a G chord becomes effortlessly playable in the open position, many other major chords can be easily formed using simple barre fingerings. This characteristic makes open G particularly appealing to slide guitar players, as it provides a natural resonance and ease of movement for slides.
Beyond chord simplicity, open G tuning imparts a distinct, bluesier character to the guitar’s tone, differentiating it from standard tuning. This sonic flavor has made open G tuning a staple across various genres, most notably blues and folk music. Legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, a foundational figure in the genre, frequently employed open G tuning. Similarly, folk music pioneer Joni Mitchell also embraced its unique sound. The influence of open G extends into blues-infused rock music, heard in the iconic sounds of artists like The Rolling Stones, George Thorogood, and The Black Crowes.
Tuning Your Guitar to Open G: A Step-by-Step Guide
Open G tuning involves altering the pitch of only three strings from standard tuning, yet this small adjustment yields a significant sonic transformation. Let’s break down the differences between standard tuning and open G tuning:
In standard tuning, starting from the thickest, lowest-pitched string to the thinnest, highest-pitched string, your six guitar strings are tuned to:
- E (6th string – lowest)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- e (1st string – highest)
To transition to open G guitar tuning, you’ll need to make the following adjustments:
- Low E string (6th string): Tune down a whole step to D.
- A string (5th string): Tune down a whole step to G.
- D string (4th string): Remains the same (D).
- G string (3rd string): Remains the same (G).
- B string (2nd string): Remains the same (B).
- High e string (1st string): Tune down a whole step to D.
Therefore, in open G tuning, your strings, from lowest to highest, will be tuned to:
- D (lowest string, tuned down from E)
- G (tuned down from A)
- D (remains the same)
- G (remains the same)
- B (remains the same)
- D (highest string, tuned down from e)
Now that you understand the tuning changes, here’s how you can tune your guitar to open G:
By Ear or with a Tuner:
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Start with the low E string (6th string): Pluck the string and tune it down a whole step to D. Turn the tuning peg clockwise (towards you when looking down at the headstock) to lower the pitch. Continue plucking the string and adjusting the tuning peg until you hear the correct D note.
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A string (5th string): Tune this string down a whole step to G. Again, turn the tuning peg clockwise to lower the pitch until you reach the correct G note.
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High e string (1st string): Tune this string down a whole step to D. Turn the tuning peg clockwise to lower the pitch until you reach the correct D note.
Pro Tip: For precise tuning, utilize an online guitar tuner like the Fender Online Guitar Tuner. Fender offers both Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar Online Tuners, and a mobile app version as well. These tools allow you to select Open G tuning and provide visual and auditory feedback to ensure accurate tuning.
Tuning by Ear (without a tuner):
If you don’t have a tuner available, you can tune to open G by ear using reference notes from other strings:
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Tuning the Low E (6th) and High e (1st) strings to D: Play your open D string (4th string). Adjust the tuning peg of your low E string until it matches the pitch of the D string, but an octave lower. Similarly, tune your high e string to match the pitch of the open D string, but an octave higher.
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Tuning the A string (5th) to G: Play your open G string (3rd string). Adjust the tuning peg of your A string until it matches the pitch of the G string, but an octave lower.
Remember that the high and low D notes you are tuning to are octaves apart from the open D string, so listen carefully for the correct intervals.
Open G Tuning Across Genres: From Folk to Rock
The distinctive sound of open G tuning has resonated across various musical landscapes, enriching genres like folk, blues, and rock with its unique tonal qualities. Let’s explore how different genres have embraced open G.
Open G in Folk Music
Folk music icon Joni Mitchell was known for her innovative use of alternate tunings throughout her career. Open G guitar tuning was a frequent choice, facilitating her intricate fingerpicking style and allowing her to create the beautiful arpeggios that became a hallmark of her sound. Songs like “Little Green” and “Nathan LaFraneer” are prime examples of her work in open G tuning.
“Little Green,” from her album Blue, showcases the emotional depth and evocative imagery often found in Mitchell’s songwriting. “Nathan LaFraneer,” while perhaps less widely known, similarly paints a vivid picture of a specific time and place. In both songs, the open G guitar tuning contributes to the atmospheric and emotionally resonant qualities of her music.
Open G in the Blues Genre
Robert Johnson, a pivotal figure in Delta blues and arguably a founding father of American blues music, frequently used open G tuning. His slide guitar rendition of “Walkin’ Blues,” a song originally recorded by his mentor Son House in 1930, stands as a significant early example of open G tuning in blues. Johnson’s rhythmic and powerful style paid homage to House’s original, but his slide guitar work breathed new life into the song when he recorded it several years later.
“Walkin’ Blues” has become a blues standard, subsequently recorded by blues legends like Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton. Clapton’s version, while retaining the blues essence, incorporates a stronger rock influence, demonstrating the versatility of open G tuning across genres.
Open G in Classic Rock and Modern Rock
Many classic rock artists, influenced by the blues, incorporated a bluesy sensibility into their electric guitar-driven sound. Open G guitar tuning became a valuable tool for grounding their rock music in a more blues-rooted tradition. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is perhaps the most famous proponent of open G in rock. The iconic riff of “Honky Tonk Women,” along with numerous other Rolling Stones hits like “Brown Sugar” and “Start Me Up,” are built upon the foundation of open G tuning. This tuning has become integral to the Stones’ signature sound, contributing to songs that have remained impactful for decades.
Led Zeppelin, another cornerstone of classic rock, also explored blues influences in their music. “Going to California” and “In My Time of Dying” are two notable examples where Jimmy Page utilized open G guitar tuning. While “Going to California” leans towards a folk-rock feel, “In My Time of Dying” delves deeper into blues territory, both musically and lyrically.
Moving into the 1990s and beyond, The Black Crowes emerged with a blues-infused Southern rock sound. Two of their major hits from their debut album, “Hard to Handle” and “Twice As Hard,” feature open G guitar tuning, showcasing its continued relevance in contemporary rock.
Even today, bands like Eagles of Death Metal (despite their name, not a death metal band) utilize open G guitar tuning in songs such as “I Only Want You” and “Secret Plans,” demonstrating its enduring appeal and adaptability across the rock spectrum.
Expand Your Guitar Playing with Open G
Alternate tunings like open G guitar tuning offer guitarists exciting new avenues for musical expression. They can simplify chord playing, facilitate techniques like slide guitar, and unlock a wealth of fresh sonic possibilities. While initially experimenting with alternate tunings might seem daunting, the rewards are well worth the effort. Mastering open G tuning is a fantastic starting point for exploring the broader world of alternate tunings, including other popular options like drop D and open D. To further your exploration of alternate tunings and guitar techniques, consider checking out resources like Fender Play for structured lessons and guidance.
