One of the most captivating aspects of the guitar is its versatility. With a simple twist of the tuning pegs, guitarists can unlock a universe of sonic possibilities through open and alternate tunings. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the most popular open guitar tunings, exploring the unique advantages each offers to your playing.
Guitar neck and headstock
What Exactly is Open Tuning on Guitar?
Open tunings are achieved when the guitar strings are tuned in such a way that strumming the open, unfretted strings produces a specific chord. These tunings are not just a novelty; they are foundational in genres spanning blues, rock, country, and folk music. The most widely used open guitar tunings are Open E, Open D, Open G, and Open A. Let’s begin our exploration with Open E tuning.
Open E Tuning: Rock and Slide Guitar Heaven
Open E tuning essentially mirrors the notes of a first-position E major “cowboy” chord. In standard tuning (E A D G B E, from low to high), an E chord is formed by the open sixth string (E), the fifth string fretted at the second fret (B), the fourth string fretted at the second fret (E), the third string fretted at the first fret (G#), and the open second and first strings (B and E). The notes of a standard E chord are, from low to high: E B E G# B E.
To transition from standard tuning to Open E, you’ll make the following adjustments: tune the fifth string up a whole step from A to B, tune the fourth string up a whole step from D to E, and tune the third string up a half step from G to G#. The sixth, second, and first strings remain in standard tuning. Your guitar is now in Open E tuning, producing the same note series as an E major chord when strummed open: E B E G# B E (low to high). See FIGURE 1 for a visual representation:
Open E Tuning Diagram
The beauty of Open E tuning is that barring across all strings at any fret will effortlessly create a major chord. The root notes of these major chords are found on the sixth, fourth, and first strings. For instance, barring at the third fret yields a G major chord, the fifth fret an A major chord, the seventh fret a B major chord, the eighth fret a C major chord, the tenth fret a D major chord, and the twelfth fret an E major chord, an octave higher than the open strings. Refer to FIGURE 2 for chord positions:
Open E Chord Positions Diagram
Open E tuning is arguably the most prominent open tuning in rock and pop music. Iconic songs like “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones, “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes, “Rocky Mountain Way” by Joe Walsh, “Just Got Paid” by ZZ Top, and “Stay With Me” by The Faces are all rooted in Open E. In blues, legendary artists such as Robert Johnson, Elmore James, and Tampa Red frequently utilized Open E tuning in their recordings.
Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band was a fervent advocate of Open E tuning, especially for slide guitar playing. The distinctive slide guitar sound on Allman Brothers classics like “Statesboro Blues,” “Done Somebody Wrong,” “Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’,” and “Trouble No More” is largely attributed to Open E tuning. Interestingly, Duane famously joked about his inability to play slide in standard tuning, highlighting his deep connection with open tunings for slide.
Open D Tuning: The Versatile and Resonant Sound
Open D tuning shares a similar tuning structure with Open E. To transition from Open E to Open D, simply tune every string down a whole step. This means tuning down from the Open E tuning notes to achieve Open D. See FIGURE 3 for the Open D tuning diagram:
Open D Tuning Diagram
Open D tuning has a rich history, sometimes referred to as “Vestapol” tuning, a term that some guitarists use to encompass both Open D and Open E due to their structural similarities. Open D provides a deeper, more resonant tone compared to Open E, making it well-suited for folk, blues, and rock styles.
Open D Chord Positions Diagram
Open A Tuning and Open G Tuning: Blues and Roots Rock Staples
Open A and Open G tunings are the other two most commonly encountered open tunings. Just as Open E and Open D share a tuning system, Open A and Open G are similarly related. Open G is significantly more prevalent than Open A. Like “Vestapol” for Open D and E, “Spanish tuning” is a term often used to describe both Open G and Open A tunings.
Standard Open A tuning, from low to high, is E A E A C# E. The sixth, fifth, and first strings remain the same as standard tuning. The fourth string is tuned up a whole step from D to E, the third string up a whole step from G to A, and the second string up a whole step from B to C#.
Standard Open G tuning mirrors Open A, but all strings are tuned down a whole step. The fourth, third, and second strings remain the same as standard tuning. The sixth, fifth, and first strings are all tuned down a whole step, resulting in the pattern (low to high): D G D G B D. Similar to Open E and Open D, barring across all strings in Open G produces major chords, as illustrated in FIGURE 4:
Many blues and rock guitar icons have leaned heavily on Open G tuning. In blues, Robert Johnson (“Crossroads”), John Lee Hooker (“Boogie Chillen”), and Son House (“Death Letter Blues”) are prime examples. However, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones is perhaps most synonymous with Open G tuning in rock music. Numerous other notable players, including Eric Clapton (“Running on Faith”), Gregg Allman (“Come and Go Blues”), Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Mick Taylor, and Joni Mitchell, have also explored the possibilities of Open G.
Let’s focus on Keith Richards, affectionately known as “Keef Riffhard,” the master of Open G. He has crafted countless timeless classics in this tuning, such as “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar,” “Start Me Up,” “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’,” “All Down The Line,” “Hand of Fate,” “Tumblin’ Dice,” “Happy,” and many more.
Keith’s fundamental approach often involves alternating between barring across all strings and incorporating fingerings with his ring finger two frets higher on the fourth string and his middle finger one fret higher on the second string. For example, barring across the fifth fret in Open G tuning creates a C major chord. Adding the ring and middle fingers to the fourth and second strings, respectively, transforms it into an F/C chord. Keith famously alternates between these two chord voicings to launch the iconic Rolling Stones hit, “Start Me Up.”
FIGURE 5 demonstrates this alternating technique:
Open G Chord Example Diagram
Exploring Other Popular Open and Alternate Tunings
Beyond the core open tunings, a diverse range of alternate tunings offers unique sonic landscapes for blues, rock, pop, and country guitarists. Here’s a brief overview:
Alternate Tunings Chart
Dropped D Tuning and Double Dropped D Tuning: Heavy and Atmospheric
Dropped D tuning is perhaps the simplest alternate tuning to achieve. From standard tuning, just tune the low E string down a whole step to D. This subtle change creates a heavier, more resonant low end, perfect for rock and metal. Famous songs in dropped D include “Heart Shaped Box” and “All Apologies” by Nirvana, “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden, and “Unchained” by Van Halen.
Double Dropped D tuning takes it a step further by tuning both the sixth and first strings down to D. Neil Young frequently employs this tuning, as heard in “Cinnamon Girl” and “Cortez the Killer,” for a spacious and melancholic sound.
DADGAD Tuning: Celtic and Mystical Tones
DADGAD tuning, as the name suggests, is achieved by tuning the low and high E strings down to D and the B string down to A. This tuning has a distinctly open and airy quality, often associated with Celtic music. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin famously utilized DADGAD for songs like “Black Mountain Side” and “Kashmir,” while Stephen Stills also explored its potential in “Tree Top Flyer.”
DGCGCD and CGDGAD Tuning: Rich and Orchestral Textures
Similar to DADGAD, DGCGCD tuning was favored by Jimmy Page for the acoustic masterpiece “The Rain Song.” This tuning creates a rich, almost orchestral texture. CGDGAD tuning is found in classic English folk music by artists like Dave Evans and in the work of modern players such as Kaki King and El McMeen, offering a unique blend of resonance and clarity.
CSNY Tunings: EEEEBE and EBDGAD – Unique and Modal Voicings
Stephen Stills adopted the unusual EEEEBE tuning, dubbed “Bruce Palmer modal tuning” after his Buffalo Springfield bandmate Bruce Palmer. Stills crafted some of his most beloved songs in this tuning, including “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Carry On,” and “4+20.” David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash employed the equally unique EBDGAD tuning for songs like “Guinnevere” and “Deja Vu,” showcasing its haunting and distinctive character.
Final Thoughts: Expanding Your Musical Horizon with Open Tunings
Guitarist tuning guitar
Exploring open tunings is an invaluable journey for any guitarist seeking to broaden their musical palette. Each tuning offers a unique sonic landscape and inspires different playing styles and songwriting approaches. Experimenting with these tunings can unlock fresh creative avenues and deepen your connection with the guitar. And when you’re venturing into these new sonic territories, a reliable tuner is essential. The Spark amp boasts a built-in, high-quality tuner, making it a perfect companion for your open tuning explorations. To access the tuner on the Spark amp, simply tap the tuner pedal icon next to the input volume indicator. Strum a string, and its note will register on the tuner display. The tuner defaults to standard guitar tuning, with a green glow indicating when a string is perfectly in tune. Discover more about the Spark amp’s extensive features, including Smart Jam, Auto Chords, and much more, by clicking here.
By Andy Aledort
