Alternate tunings can initially seem like venturing into uncharted territory for guitarists. However, simply adjusting a few tuning pegs can open up a wealth of new sonic possibilities. Open G tuning is a fantastic example, particularly favored in blues, folk, and rock music. This guide will walk you through how to tune your guitar to open G, explore its unique advantages, and highlight iconic songs that utilize this versatile tuning.
What is Open G Tuning?
Open G tuning is an alternate guitar tuning where your instrument is tuned to create a G major chord when you strum the open strings – without fretting any notes. The tuning is named “open G” precisely because the open strings resonate to form a G major chord. This is achieved by tuning your strings to the notes that constitute a G chord: G, B, and D.
The beauty of open G tuning lies in its simplicity. Strum your guitar without pressing down any strings, and you’ll hear a rich G major chord ringing out.
One of the primary benefits of tuning to open G is the ease of playing certain chords. While a G chord becomes effortless in the open position, many other major chords can be easily formed with simple barre shapes. This accessibility makes open G tuning exceptionally popular among slide guitar players, allowing for smooth glides and expressive vibrato.
Beyond chord simplicity, open G tuning imparts a distinct, bluesy flavor to your guitar’s tone, differentiating it from the brighter sound of standard tuning. This characteristic sonic quality has made open G a staple in various genres, most prominently blues and folk. Legendary figures like blues pioneer Robert Johnson and folk icon Joni Mitchell were known for their extensive use of open G. Its influence also permeates blues-infused rock music, embraced by giants such as The Rolling Stones, George Thorogood, and The Black Crowes.
Tuning Your Guitar to Open G: A Step-by-Step Lesson
Open G tuning involves altering the pitch of only three strings from standard tuning, yet this small adjustment creates a significant sonic transformation. Let’s compare standard tuning with open G tuning to understand the changes:
In standard tuning, starting from the thickest (lowest pitched) string to the thinnest (highest pitched) string, your guitar is tuned:
- E (6th string – lowest)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- e (1st string – highest)
To achieve open G tuning, you will adjust three strings. The low E string is tuned down a whole step to D, and the A string is also tuned down a whole step to G. The D, G, and B strings remain unchanged. Lastly, the high e string is tuned down a whole step to D. This results in the following open G tuning:
- D (6th string – tuned down from E)
- G (5th string – tuned down from A)
- D (4th string – stays the same)
- G (3rd string – stays the same)
- B (2nd string – stays the same)
- D (1st string – tuned down from e)
Now, let’s explore the practical methods for tuning your guitar to open G:
If you have an electronic tuner, tuning to open G is straightforward. Most modern tuners, especially apps and online versions, offer alternate tuning presets, including open G. Simply select “Open G” on your tuner and follow the on-screen instructions for each string.
For tuning by ear, you can use your guitar itself as a reference. Start by tuning your low E string down to D. Pluck your open D string (4th string). Now, play your low E string and slowly turn the tuning peg (the one connected to the low E string) clockwise, which loosens the string and lowers the pitch. Continue plucking the low E string and adjusting the tuning peg until the pitch matches the sound of your open D string.
Next, tune your A string down to G. Pluck your open G string (3rd string). Then, play your A string and turn its tuning peg clockwise until its pitch matches your open G string.
Finally, tune your high e string down to D. Use your open D string (4th string) again as a reference. Pluck the open D string, then play your high e string. Turn the tuning peg for the high e string clockwise until its pitch matches the open D string. Remember that the high e string tuned to D will sound an octave higher than the open D string you are referencing.
Utilizing an online guitar tuner, like the Fender Online Guitar Tuner, can simplify this process significantly. Fender provides both electric and acoustic guitar tuners online, and their mobile app offers the convenience of open G and various other alternate tuning presets directly at your fingertips.
Open G Tuning Across Music Genres
The open and resonant sound of open G tuning has deeply influenced various musical genres, adding a soulful and rootsy dimension. Let’s explore its presence in folk, blues, and rock music.
Open G Tuning in Folk Music
Folk music legend Joni Mitchell was a prolific explorer of alternate tunings, and open G was a frequent choice for her. It facilitated her intricate fingerpicking style and the creation of beautiful arpeggios that perfectly complemented her distinctive soprano voice and poetic lyrics. Songs like “Little Green” and “Nathan LaFraneer” are prime examples of her use of open G tuning.
“Little Green,” from her iconic album Blue, showcases the emotional depth and evocative imagery Mitchell could create. “Nathan LaFraneer,” while perhaps less known, is equally poetic, painting a vivid picture of a specific time and place. In both songs, open G tuning contributes significantly to their atmospheric and emotionally resonant qualities.
Open G Tuning in the Blues Genre
Robert Johnson, a pivotal figure in Delta blues and arguably the father of American blues, frequently employed open G tuning. His rendition of “Walkin’ Blues,” a tribute to his mentor Son House, is a landmark example. Son House’s 1930 recording of the song might be one of the earliest documented instances of open G tuning reaching a wider audience. Johnson’s powerful, rhythmic approach honored House’s original, but his addition of slide guitar in his recording, six years later, infused the song with new vitality and cemented open G’s place in blues guitar.
Later, blues icon Muddy Waters also recorded “Walkin’ Blues,” adding his signature Chicago blues style to the song. Eric Clapton, known as “Slowhand,” further popularized the track with his rendition, blending a rock sensibility with the song’s traditional blues foundation, staying true to its roots while injecting his own flair.
Open G Tuning in Classic Rock and Modern Rock
Many classic rock artists embraced the bluesy undertones of open G tuning, seamlessly blending it with the amplified power of electric guitars. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is perhaps the most famous proponent of open G tuning in rock. The iconic riff of “Honky Tonk Women,” along with numerous other Stones hits like “Brown Sugar” and “Start Me Up,” owe their distinctive sound to Richards’ masterful use of open G. This tuning has been instrumental in shaping the Stones’ legendary sound, contributing to songs that remain impactful decades later.
Led Zeppelin, another cornerstone of rock, also explored blues influences in their music. “Going to California,” an acoustic gem, and the blues-infused “In My Time of Dying” both feature open G 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, confronting themes of mortality with raw honesty.
From the giants of classic rock to bands that emerged in the 90s and beyond, The Black Crowes are renowned for their blues-infused Southern rock sound. Two of their breakthrough hits from their 1990 debut album, “Hard to Handle” and “Twice As Hard,” showcase the band’s effective use of open G tuning.
In more contemporary rock, Eagles of Death Metal (despite their name, a rock band, not death metal) frequently utilize open G tuning in their songs, including tracks like “I Only Want You” and “Secret Plans,” contributing to their raw and energetic sound.
Explore Further with Fender Play Guitar Lessons
Alternate tunings like open G unlock new avenues for guitarists, simplifying chord shapes and facilitating techniques like slide guitar. While venturing into alternate tunings might initially seem daunting, it’s a rewarding step that expands your instrument’s sonic palette. With dedicated practice, mastering open G tuning opens doors to exploring other tunings like drop D and open D, further enriching your musical vocabulary. Expand your sonic horizons and delve deeper into alternate tunings with resources like Fender Play, and unleash new creative possibilities on your guitar.
