OPEN TUNING / QUICK START
Open E tuning.
Open E turns every open string into an E major chord. It is bright, direct and especially useful for slide, open-string rhythm parts and big one-finger major chords.
THE THREE CHANGES
A→B · D→E · G→G♯
STRINGS 6, 2 + 1 STAY PUT · RAISE 5, 4 + 3
AGT / TUNING MAP · 440 HZ
E B E G♯ B E
STRING 6
E
STRING 5
B
STRING 4
E
STRING 3
G♯
STRING 2
B
STRING 1
E
HOW TO TUNE
Raise three strings from standard tuning.
Start at E A D G B E. Raise string 5 from A to B, string 4 from D to E and string 3 from G to G♯. Strings 6, 2 and 1 stay put.
01 — Raise string 5 from A2 to B2.
02 — Raise string 4 from D3 to E3.
03 — Raise string 3 from G3 to G♯3, then confirm all six strings with a chromatic tuner.
Tension check: Open E raises three strings. Tune slowly with a reliable chromatic tuner and stop if a string feels unusually tight.
CHANGE TUNINGS OFTEN?
Let Roadie 4 handle it.
A chromatic tuner can handle Open E. If you switch tunings regularly, Roadie 4 can identify the string and turn the machine head for you.
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WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES
Three higher notes. A complete E major chord.
Strings 6, 2 and 1 keep their standard pitches. Strings 5 and 4 are each a whole step higher; string 3 is a semitone higher.
What transfers
✓ Strings 6, 2 and 1 keep their standard-tuning pitches.
✓ The open strings are already an E major chord.
✓ Major chords are simple: move a straight barre to a new fret.
What needs checking
— Strings 5 and 4 are each a whole step higher than standard.
— String 3 is a semitone higher, from G to G♯.
— Standard-tuning chord shapes need checking across all six strings.
CHORD & SCALE EXPLORER
Start with E. Move from there.
Search complete chord charts by root and type, or switch to a scale map across frets 0–15. The chord view opens on E major shapes.
These selected charts are the practical starting points for this tuning.
Every generated chart contains the defining chord tones and passes the current compact-voicing filter. The selected charts below remain the editorial starting points.
The high string is shown at the top and the low string at the bottom. Scroll horizontally on smaller screens.
THE BARRE SHORTCUT
One finger. Six strings.
Because Open E is a major tuning, a straight barre across all six strings produces a new major chord.
E
OPEN
A
FRET 9
B
FRET 9
C♯
FRET 9
D
FRET 10
E
FRET 12
FIRST PROGRESSION
E major → A major → B major → A major
Play one bar of each, then repeat using only the lowest three strings as E–B–C♯–B. The contrast makes full triads and power chords immediately audible.
SCALE MAP
Open E scales: start from the low string.
The sixth string remains E. E major pentatonic sits at frets 0, 2, 4, 7 and 9: E, F♯, G♯, B and C♯.
Play those notes in order, then answer the phrase on the first string, which is also E.
0 · 2 · 4 · 7 · 9
Use the fretboard explorer to see how that same scale connects across all six strings.
The notes stay the same; Open E changes where they sit on the fretboard.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT VERSION
Open E or Open D?
Choose Open E
Choose Open E for the E major open chord, a bright sound and simple slide-friendly major barres.
Choose Open D
Choose Open D when you would rather lower strings than raise them.
Explore Open D tuning →QUICK ANSWERS
Open E FAQ
What notes are in Open E tuning?
From string 6 to string 1: E, B, E, G♯, B, E.
Is Open E a major tuning?
Yes. The open strings contain E, G♯ and B, which form an E major chord.
Why is Open E popular for slide guitar?
A straight slide or barre across one fret produces a major chord, making it easy to move between chord roots.
How do I return to standard tuning?
Lower string 5 from B to A, string 4 from E to D and string 3 from G♯ to G. Recheck every string with a tuner.