Guide
Open G Tuner: the complete guide
By Vivek Badoni, music teacher · Updated
This online Open G tuner opens with Open G selected. Three strings drop from standard tuning, and when they're in tune, strumming all six open strings gives a full, ringing G major chord. Play any string and the tuner tells you which it is and which way to turn the peg.
Open G tuning: D G D G B D
| String | Standard | Open G | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (thickest) | E2 | D2 (73.42 Hz) | Down a whole step |
| 5th | A2 | G2 (98.00 Hz) | Down a whole step |
| 4th | D3 | D3 (146.83 Hz) | No change |
| 3rd | G3 | G3 (196.00 Hz) | No change |
| 2nd | B3 | B3 (246.94 Hz) | No change |
| 1st (thinnest) | E4 | D4 (293.66 Hz) | Down a whole step |
How to tune to Open G
- Check the D, G and B strings are in tune; they stay the same.
- Loosen the 6th string from E down to D. By ear, it should match the open 4th string, an octave lower.
- Loosen the 5th string from A down to G, an octave below the open 3rd string.
- Loosen the 1st string from E down to D, an octave above the open 4th string.
- Strum all six strings. You should hear a clean G major chord with no sour notes.
Playing in Open G
- Barre anywhere: one finger across all six strings at the 5th fret plays C; at the 7th fret, D. With G, C and D you can play thousands of songs.
- Slide guitar: a slide resting across the strings plays a perfect major chord at every fret, which is why Open G is a favourite for blues and slide.
- Rock rhythm: many classic rock riffs use Open G on five strings, with the low string removed or left unplayed.
Other open and alternate tunings: Drop D, DADGAD and half step down. Back to standard with the guitar tuner.
