How to Open Tune a Guitar

The standard six string guitar is normally tuned to the notes EADGBE, though many players prefer to use "open" tunings. This is where the strings are tuned to the notes of a particular chord. Open tuning a guitar can note only provide new possibilities for chord and scale fingerings. It can also make playing difficult chords and songs much easier. The three most common open tunings for the guitar are Open G, Open D and Open C.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar Tuner

Open G Tuning

1. Using the guitar tuner, tune the sixth string down a tone to the note D.

2. Tune the fifth string down a tone to the note G.

3. Tune the fourth string to the standard note D.

4. Tune the third string to the standard note G.

5. Tune the second string to the standard note B.

6. Tune the first string down a tone to the note D.

7. Strum all six strings to produce the open G tuning. The open strings produce a G major chord, which gives the tuning its name.

Open D Tuning

8. Tune the sixth string down a tone to the note D.

9. Tune the fifth string to the standard note A.

10. Tune the fourth string to the standard note D.

11. Tune the third string down a minor second to the note F#.

12. Tune the second string down a tone to the note A.

13. Tune the first string down a tone to the note D.

14. Strum all six strings to produce the open D tuning. The open strings produce a D major chord, which gives the tuning its name.

Open C Tuning

15. Tune the sixth string down a major third to the note C.

16. Tune the fifth string down a tone to the note G.

17. Tune the fourth string down a tone to the note C.

18. Tune the third string to the standard tuning note G.

19. Tune the second string up a minor second to the note C.

20. Tune the first string to the standard tuning note E.

21. Strum all six strings to produce the open C tuning. The open strings produce a C major chord, which gives the tuning its name.

Tips & Warnings

• Plucking each string when tuning it will ensure that you are tuning it in the right direction. Mistakenly tuning a string too high can cause the string to break.

Resources

• Tips on Keeping a Guitar in Tune