Alternate tunings can initially seem like venturing into uncharted territory for guitarists, but making simple adjustments to your tuning pegs opens up a vast and inspiring soundscape. Open G tuning is a fantastic gateway into this world, particularly celebrated in blues and folk music. In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily tune your guitar to Open G, explore its unique sonic qualities, and highlight famous songs that utilize this distinctive tuning. Get ready to discover a new dimension of your guitar playing!
What is Open G Tuning?
Open G tuning is an alternate guitar tuning that allows you to play a G major chord simply by strumming the strings without fretting any notes. The name “Open G” comes directly from this characteristic: the open strings themselves resonate to form a G major chord. This is achieved by tuning specific strings to the notes that comprise a G chord: G, B, and D.
In standard tuning, forming a G chord requires specific finger placement. However, in Open G tuning, a simple strum in the open position produces a full G chord. This fundamental shift makes certain chord shapes and voicings much more accessible, especially barre chords which become simplified. This ease of chord creation is a major reason why Open G tuning is incredibly popular among slide guitar players. The ability to play chords and melodies with a slide becomes significantly more intuitive in this tuning.
Beyond ease of playing, Open G tuning imparts a distinct, bluesier tone compared to standard tuning. This unique sonic flavor has deeply embedded itself into the fabric of various genres, most prominently blues and folk. Legendary bluesman Robert Johnson, a pivotal figure in blues history, frequently used Open G tuning. Folk music pioneer Joni Mitchell also explored its rich textures in her compositions. The influence of Open G extends into blues-infused rock music as well, heard in the iconic sounds of bands and artists like The Rolling Stones, George Thorogood, and The Black Crowes.
Lesson: How to Tune Your Guitar to Open G
Open G tuning involves altering the pitch of only three strings from standard tuning, yet these changes create a dramatic sonic transformation. Let’s break down the differences between standard tuning and Open G tuning to clearly understand the adjustments needed:
In standard tuning, your six guitar strings are tuned, from the thickest (lowest pitch) to thinnest (highest pitch), as follows:
- E (6th string – thickest)
- A (5th string)
- D (4th string)
- G (3rd string)
- B (2nd string)
- E (1st string – thinnest)
To transition to Open G tuning, you’ll make the following adjustments: the low E string is tuned down a whole step to D, the A string is lowered a whole step to G, and the high E string is also tuned down a whole step to D. The D, G, and B strings remain unchanged.
Here’s a string-by-string breakdown of Open G tuning:
- D (6th string): Tuned down a whole step from E
- G (5th string): Tuned down a whole step 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 a whole step from E
Now that you grasp the note changes required for Open G, here are a couple of methods you can use to tune your guitar:
Method 1: Using a Tuner
- Start with the low E string (6th string). Pluck the string and turn the tuning peg clockwise (usually towards you when holding the guitar) to lower the pitch. Continue turning the peg gradually, plucking the string intermittently, until your tuner indicates a D note.
- Tune the A string (5th string). Repeat the process, tuning down the A string until your tuner reads a G note.
- Tune the high E string (1st string). Similarly, tune down the high E string until it reaches a D note.
- Double-check all strings. Strum all the open strings together. They should resonate harmoniously as a G major chord. Make any fine adjustments as needed.
Pro Tip: Utilizing an online guitar tuner, like the Fender Online Guitar Tuner, can greatly simplify this process. You can choose either the Electric Guitar Online Guitar Tuner or the Acoustic Guitar Online Tuner. For mobile convenience, the Fender tuner app is also available. Both the web and app versions offer settings to specifically tune to Open G, among other alternate tunings, making the process accurate and straightforward.
Method 2: Tuning by Ear
If you don’t have a tuner readily available, you can tune to Open G by ear using reference notes from other strings:
- Tune the low E string (6th string) to D: Play your open D string (4th string). Tune the low E string down until its pitch matches the D string. Remember that the low E string tuned to D will be an octave lower than the open D string.
- Tune the A string (5th string) to G: Play your open G string (3rd string). Tune the A string down until its pitch matches the G string. The tuned A string will be an octave lower than the open G string.
- Tune the high E string (1st string) to D: Again, use your open D string (4th string) as a reference. Tune the high E string down until its pitch matches the D string. The high E string tuned to D will be an octave higher than the open D string.
- Fine-tune by ear: Strum all open strings and listen for a clear G major chord. Make minor adjustments to each string until the chord sounds in tune.
Songs in Open G Tuning
Both blues and folk music have deeply embraced Open G tuning for its rich and soulful character. Classic rock, and even modern rock with blues influences, also frequently utilizes Open G to inject a distinctive bluesy edge into their sound. Let’s explore some notable examples across these genres:
Open G Tuning in Folk Music
Folk icon Joni Mitchell was renowned for her exploration of alternate tunings across her extensive catalog. Open G tuning became a key element in her sound, facilitating intricate fingerpicking patterns and creating 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 acclaimed album Blue, showcases the evocative and emotional depth that Open G can bring. The tuning enhances the song’s poignant and reflective mood. Similarly, “Nathan LaFraneer,” while perhaps less widely known, uses Open G to create a vivid and atmospheric soundscape, painting a picture of specific times and places within its narrative. In both songs, Open G tuning contributes significantly to their unique and captivating sonic textures.
Open G Tuning in the Blues Genre
Robert Johnson, a foundational figure of Delta blues and a significant influence on all subsequent blues music, demonstrated the power of Open G tuning in his slide guitar playing, notably in his rendition of “Walkin’ Blues.” Originally recorded by his mentor, Son House, in 1930, “Walkin’ Blues” may represent one of the earliest and most influential examples of Open G tuning to reach a wider audience. Johnson’s version, recorded six years later, retained the rhythmic core of House’s original but injected new life into the song through his signature slide guitar techniques and emotionally charged performance, showcasing the raw and expressive capabilities of Open G in blues music.
Later blues artists, including the legendary Muddy Waters, further cemented the legacy of “Walkin’ Blues” and Open G tuning in blues. Eric Clapton also recorded his own interpretation of “Walkin’ Blues,” blending traditional blues elements with a rock sensibility, while still remaining true to the song’s blues roots and the Open G tuning that defines its character.
Open G Tuning in Classic Rock / Modern Rock Genres
Many classic rock artists, drawn to the blues’ raw energy and emotional depth, naturally incorporated Open G tuning into their musical palette. Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is perhaps the most famous proponent of Open G tuning in rock. His iconic riff in “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 intrinsically linked to the Stones’ signature sound, contributing to songs that have resonated for decades.
Led Zeppelin, another cornerstone of rock music with deep blues influences, also explored Open G tuning. Their acoustic masterpiece “Going to California” and the blues-infused “In My Time of Dying” both feature Open G, showcasing its versatility across different moods and styles. While “Going to California” leans towards a folk-rock feel, “In My Time of Dying” delves into a more traditional blues sound, both lyrically and musically, with Open G tuning enhancing its raw and emotive power.
From these foundational rock acts to bands that emerged in the 1990s and beyond, the blues-rock tradition and Open G tuning continued to thrive. The Black Crowes, known for their Southern rock and blues-infused sound, utilized Open G on two of their breakthrough hits from their 1990 debut album, “Hard to Handle” and “Twice As Hard,” demonstrating its ongoing relevance in contemporary rock music. Even modern rock groups like Eagles of Death Metal (despite their name, not a death metal band) incorporate Open G into their music, as heard in songs like “I Only Want You” and “Secret Plans,” proving the enduring appeal and versatility of Open G tuning across generations and subgenres.
Explore Further with Fender Play Guitar Lessons
Alternate tunings like Open G provide guitarists with a fantastic avenue to simplify chord playing and explore new techniques such as slide guitar. While initially, alternate tunings might seem daunting, they unlock a wealth of fresh sonic possibilities from your instrument. With dedicated practice, mastering Open G tuning can be the first step towards exploring other tunings like Drop D and Open D, expanding your musical vocabulary and creative expression. Dive deeper into alternate tunings and guitar techniques with a free trial from Fender Play and unlock your full potential.
