How to Tune Your Guitar to D

The open D tuning is an alternate tuning for guitar. When all the strings are played open (no notes fretted on the fretboard) it plays a D major chord. This tuning is often used for playing slide guitar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar
• Tuner (ideally)

1. Make sure the guitar is in standard tuning (EADGBE) and in tune with itself.

2. Tune the bottom string (the sixth string) a full step down from E to D.

3. Leave the fifth string and fourth string alone (they should be tuned to A and D, respectively).

4. Tune the third string a half step down from G to F#.

5. Tune the second string down a full step from B to A.

6. Tune the first string (the top and thinnest string) down a full step from E to D.

7. Play all the strings open. It should sound a D major chord.

Tips & Warnings

• Tune the strings carefully so they do not break.

References

• Guitar for Beginners