OPEN TUNING / QUICK START
Open G tuning.
Open G gives you a low D–G–D bass shape and a G major chord across all six open strings. It suits blues, slide and ringing rhythm parts.
THE THREE CHANGES
E→D · A→G · E→D
STRINGS 6, 5 + 1 · STRINGS 4, 3 + 2 STAY PUT
AGT / TUNING MAP · 440 HZ
D G D G B D
STRING 6
D
STRING 5
G
STRING 4
D
STRING 3
G
STRING 2
B
STRING 1
D
HOW TO TUNE
Lower three strings from standard tuning.
Start at E A D G B E. Lower strings 6, 5 and 1 to D, G and D; strings 4, 3 and 2 stay at D, G and B.
01 — Lower string 6 from E2 to D2.
02 — Lower string 5 from A2 to G2—one whole step.
03 — Lower string 1 from E4 to D4, then confirm all six strings with a chromatic tuner.
Ear check: recheck all six strings after the final adjustment; changing one string can slightly move the others.
CHANGE TUNINGS OFTEN?
Let Roadie 4 handle it.
A chromatic tuner can handle Open G. 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 familiar strings. Three lower notes.
Strings 4, 3 and 2 keep their standard pitches: D, G and B. Strings 6 and 1 move from E to D, and string 5 moves from A to G.
What transfers
✓ Strings 4, 3 and 2 keep their standard-tuning pitches.
✓ Shapes limited to those three strings keep their standard-tuning pitches.
✓ The open strings already give you a G major chord.
What needs checking
— Strings 6 and 1 now sound D instead of E.
— String 5 now sounds G instead of A.
— Chords that use changed strings may have a different bass note or chord name.
CHORD & SCALE EXPLORER
Start with G. 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 G 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 G is a major tuning, a straight barre across all six strings produces a new major chord.
G
OPEN
C
FRET 9
D
FRET 9
E
FRET 9
F
FRET 10
G
FRET 12
FIRST PROGRESSION
G major → C major → D major → C major
Play one bar of each, then repeat using only the lowest three strings as G–D–E–D. The contrast makes full triads and power chords immediately audible.
SCALE MAP
Open G scales: start from the low string.
The sixth string is tuned to D. G major pentatonic appears at frets 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14: G, A, B, D and E.
Play those notes in order, then return to the open low D as a pedal.
5 · 7 · 9 · 12 · 14
Use the fretboard explorer to see how that same scale connects across all six strings.
The notes stay the same; Open G changes where they sit on the fretboard.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT VERSION
Open G or Open D?
Choose Open G
Choose Open G for a G major open chord and a familiar starting point for blues and slide.
Choose Open D
Choose Open D when you want a D major open chord and would rather centre the guitar around D.
Explore Open D tuning →QUICK ANSWERS
Open G FAQ
What notes are in Open G tuning?
From string 6 to string 1: D, G, D, G, B, D.
Is Open G a major tuning?
Yes. The open strings contain G, B and D, which form a G major chord.
Do all six strings tune to G?
No. Open G uses D G D G B D. The G notes are the root; D and B supply the fifth and major third.
How do I return to standard tuning?
Raise strings 6, 5 and 1 from D, G and D to E, A and E. Strings 4, 3 and 2 stay at D, G and B. Recheck all six strings with a tuner.