How to Tune a Guitar to CGDGBD

This tuning is common in many forms of slack key guitar, but it is also used in many solo acoustic compositions by recent composers. Technically, CGDGBD is called an Open C/G (Add 4) tuning, but it will almost always be referred to simply by the notes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar
• Tuner (optional)

How to Tune a Guitar to CGDGBD

1. Tune the 6th string down to C. Use the 5th string (3rd fret) as a guide if you don't have a tuner.

2. Tune the 5th string down to G. Use the 3rd string (open) as a guide.

3. Leave the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings as they are.

4. Tune the 1st string down to D. Use the 2nd string (3rd fret) as a guide.

5. Play the open strings. If you fret the 6th string at the 2nd fret and the 2nd string at the 3rd fret, you should have a D chord.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful when retuning your guitar as metal fatigue will cause your strings to break.