Alternative tuning
Open G tuning
D G D G B D
In an open tuning your open strings already sound a chord together — with Open G that chord is, as the name says, a G. That makes every fret a chord: lay your index finger flat across the neck and there it is, no shape needed.
Tune to Open G now
Tuning
—
Play a string — reference tone
Pluck one string at a time. Mic stream stays in your browser.
The tuner is already set to Open G. Play one open string at a time; the needle tells you what to do.
What changes compared to standard
| String | From | To | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E | D | 2 semitones down |
| 5 | A | G | 2 semitones down |
| 4 | D | D | unchanged |
| 3 | G | G | unchanged |
| 2 | B | B | unchanged |
| 1 | E | D | 2 semitones down |
What is this tuning for?
Blues, slide and rock and roll. For slide guitar an open tuning is close to mandatory: a slide can't hold a shape, so you need a tuning where a straight line across the neck is already correct. In rock this is Keith Richards' tuning — he usually removes the lowest string altogether and plays five.
What gets easier
One finger flat across strings 5 to 1 gives a complete major chord: fret 0 is G, fret 2 is A, fret 5 is C, fret 7 is D. That's a full blues progression without knowing a single chord shape — and with a slide, exactly the same but gliding.
How to get there, step by step
- 1
Low E to D
A whole tone down, just like Drop D. The open low string then matches your open D string, two octaves lower.
- 2
A string to G
String 5 drops a whole tone from A to G. Check: it now matches your open G string (string 3), an octave lower.
- 3
High E to D
String 1 drops from E to D. Then strum all six open — you should hear a clean G chord. If something sounds off, it's almost always one of these three.
Back to standard tuning
Back to standard: string 6 D to E, string 5 G to A, string 1 D to E. Pick Standard in the tuner and run through them.
What to watch out for
You'll also see the five-string variant (G D G B D, without the lowest string). That's Keith Richards, and the reason is practical: that low D often muddies the chord.
Playing slide? Raise your action a little. With low action the slide taps the frets and you hear more rattle than note.
You can no longer grab minor chords with one finger; that means moving one note inside the barre. Open G is a major tuning, and you notice immediately.
Well-known songs in Open G
Honky Tonk Women — The Rolling Stones
The Keith Richards trademark: Open G on five strings, and those loose, hanging chords.
Start Me Up — The Rolling Stones
Same recipe. In standard tuning this riff simply doesn't fall under the fingers.
If a tab doesn't state a tuning, assume it's in standard tuning.
Frequently asked questions about Open G
What is Open G tuning?
D G D G B D: your open strings together form a G chord. Three strings drop a whole tone (low E, A and high E), the other three stay put.Why does Keith Richards play five strings?
Because the low D under a G chord muddies the sound. Without it the lowest note is a G, and the chord sounds tighter.Is Open G the same as Open D?
No, but the idea is the same: in Open D (D A D F♯ A D) your open strings form a D chord instead of a G. Our tuner currently supports Open G.
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