Open G Tuner
This open G tuner listens through your microphone and shows how far each string is from D G D G B D, the notes of open G from the 6th string to the 1st. Press start, allow the microphone, and pluck one string at a time. The tuner names the string it heard, shows the cents you are off, and tells you which way to turn the peg.
Open G strums as a G chord with no fingers down, and its roomy low D, G and D on the bottom three strings make it a classic for slide and for driving rhythm. Only the three outside strings change from standard, each dropping two semitones. The middle three strings stay put, so half the guitar keeps its familiar feel.
The notes of this tuning
| String | Standard | This tuning | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E | D | −2 |
| 5 | A | G | −2 |
| 4 | D | D | No change |
| 3 | G | G | No change |
| 2 | B | B | No change |
| 1 | E | D | −2 |
How to tune from standard
- Begin in standard tuning. Loosen the 6th string two semitones, from E to D.
- Loosen the 5th string two semitones, from A to G.
- Loosen the 1st string two semitones, from E to D, then strum the open strings and listen for a clean G chord.
- Leave the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings alone; they already sit at D, G and B in both tunings.
Frequently asked questions
What is open G tuning?
Open G tunes the open strings to a G major chord: D G D G B D from the 6th string to the 1st. A bare strum gives you the whole chord, which is why it suits slide and chord-heavy styles. From standard, only the 6th, 5th and 1st strings move, each down two semitones.
Which strings change for open G?
The 6th, 5th and 1st. The 6th drops two semitones from E to D, the 5th two from A to G, and the 1st two from E to D. The 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings keep their standard notes, which is why the retune takes only a minute.
Do I need a special setup for open G?
Rarely. Only three strings drop, and only by a whole step each, so tension stays close to standard and most guitars need no adjustment. If the low D feels slack or buzzes on the 6th string, a slightly heavier string for that one position is the usual fix.