OPEN TUNING / QUICK START
Open D tuning.
Open D gives you a low D and a full D major chord in the open strings. It suits slide, ringing rhythm parts and chord shapes that move in parallel.
THE FOUR CHANGES
E→D ×2 · G→F♯ · B→A
STRINGS 6, 3, 2 + 1 · STRINGS 5 + 4 STAY PUT
AGT / TUNING MAP · 440 HZ
D A D F♯ A D
STRING 6
D
STRING 5
A
STRING 4
D
STRING 3
F♯
STRING 2
A
STRING 1
D
HOW TO TUNE
Lower four strings from standard tuning.
Start at E A D G B E. Lower strings 6, 3, 2 and 1 to D, F♯, A and D; strings 5 and 4 stay at A and D.
01 — Lower string 6 from E2 to D2.
02 — Lower string 3 from G3 to F♯3, string 2 from B3 to A3 and string 1 from E4 to D4.
03 — Confirm all six strings with a chromatic tuner.
Ear check: string 6 at fret 12 should match the open fourth string; both sound D. Use a tuner for the final pitch.
CHANGE TUNINGS OFTEN?
Let Roadie 4 handle it.
A chromatic tuner can handle Open D. 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
Two strings stay put. Four familiar shapes move.
Strings 5 and 4 remain A and D. The low E becomes D, while strings 3, 2 and 1 drop to F♯, A and D. Any familiar shape that uses those four strings needs checking.
What transfers
✓ Notes on strings 5 and 4 keep their standard-tuning pitches.
✓ A shape using only those two strings keeps the same notes.
✓ The open low D gives a clear bass root for D-centred ideas.
What needs checking
— The low and high E strings now sound D.
— The G string is now F♯ and the B string is now A.
— Familiar chord names can change because four strings moved.
CHORD & SCALE EXPLORER
Start with D. 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 D 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 D is a major tuning, a straight barre across all six strings produces a new major chord.
D
OPEN
G
FRET 9
A
FRET 9
B
FRET 9
C
FRET 10
D
FRET 12
FIRST PROGRESSION
D major → G major → B minor → A major
Play one bar of each, then repeat using only the lowest three strings as D–A–B–A. The contrast makes full triads and power chords immediately audible.
SCALE MAP
Open D scales: find D major on the low string.
On the low D string, D major runs through frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, then D.
Use the open D as a pedal note while moving through the scale.
0 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 11 · 12
The fretboard explorer maps the same notes across all six strings.
The notes stay the same; Open D changes where they sit on the fretboard.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT VERSION
Open D or Open G?
Choose Open D
Choose Open D when you want a D major open chord with a low D bass.
Choose Open G
Choose Open G when you want a G major open chord and a blues-friendly D–G–D bass shape.
Explore Open G tuning →QUICK ANSWERS
Open D FAQ
What notes are in Open D tuning?
From string 6 to string 1: D, A, D, F♯, A, D.
Is Open D a major tuning?
Yes. The open strings contain D, F♯ and A, which form a D major chord.
Can I use standard-tuning chord shapes in Open D?
Some notes on strings 5 and 4 remain the same, but four strings change pitch. Check any shape that uses strings 6, 3, 2 or 1.
How do I return to standard tuning?
Raise strings 6, 3, 2 and 1 to E, G, B and E. Strings 5 and 4 stay at A and D. Recheck all six strings with a tuner.