What is the Best Open Tuning on Guitar?
One of my first experiences with open tuning was playing “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, which utilizes the DADGAD tuning. At the time, the whole idea of re-tuning a guitar seemed quite exotic.
The song is already quite unique, with the chromatic chords and drones. And that’s the first thing you notice in open tunings: the memorized chord shapes you know are pretty much not applicable.
Learning a new tuning is like starting over again. The chords, scales, and riffs you know are not playable in the same way. Even after playing in open tunings for years, I still get easily confused.
Perhaps the best approach is to pick one open tuning and stick with it. Keep a guitar handy in the tuning you choose, learn as many tunes as possible in this tuning and practice regularly. Additionally, I want to distinguish between an open tuning and a tuning that only alters one string, like in “Drop D.” An open tuning is when you can produce a chord or mode with open strings.
But what are the best open tunings, and if it feels like relearning the guitar, which one is better?
The Top Five Open Tunings on Guitar
A quick search on Google suggests that the top five open tunings in order are:
- Open G – (D-G-D-G-B-D)
- DADF#AD – (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
- DADGAD – (D-A-D-G-A-D)
- Open E – (E-B-E-G#-B-E)
- Open C – (C-G-C-G-C-E)
Before we go further, you must realize the astronomical number of open tunings possible. Since a standard 6-string guitar has 6 strings and each string can be tuned to at least 12 different chromatic notes, the total number of possible tunings (in theory) is:
126 = 2,985,984
Anyway, as I was saying, pick one tuning and let’s get started!
5 Reasons to Learn Open Guitar Tunings
If we assume that Open G is the most popular of all open tunings (according to Google), then we should assume that Open G should have the most examples and tablature available. This is where it gets tricky.
Furthurmore, open tunings are popular but not always easy to find. There are likely several reasons, including getting accurate transcriptions and altered tunings not being as popular as standard tunings.
Either way, let’s list the top 5 reasons to learn an open tuning on your guitar. Some of these may not be 100% true all the time, but that’s beside the point:
Top 5 Benefits of Open Tunings.
- Easier Chords & Simple One-Finger Barres: Some keys and chords are more accessible with the added open strings, plus you can play a chord with one finger.
- Excellent for Slide Guitar: If you can play a chord with one finger, you can also play a chord with a slide. After all, a slide is played with one finger! Some of the most iconic slide guitar tunes play chords with a barre – think Robert Johnson sliding up to the 12 fret and playing the first three strings.
- Richer, Fuller Sound with Drone Notes: In some keys, open tunings allow you to use open strings as drones, creating a fuller and more resonant sound. This is great for folk, Celtic, blues, and ambient music.
- Open tuning forces you to use new finger positions, which could also benefit songwriting: It breaks memorized finger positions and habits formed in standard tuning, leading to new chord voicings and melodic possibilities. Think outside the “box.”
- Alternate Bass Notes, Harmonics and Percussive Playing: Again, depending on the key, open tunings make alternating bass patterns and natural harmonics readily available. Many guitarists also incorporate a percussive fingerstyle technique. Think Don Ross, Andy McKee, Michael Hedges, etc.
Make sure to check out all my guitar books in open tunings.
Open Guitar Tunings Compared
Maybe if we look at the fretboards in our five open tunings, you will have more information to decide which tuning suits you best. Here is a comparison chart showing the similarities to standard guitar tuning.
You can see that Open G, DADGAD, and Open E have 3 notes in common, while Open D and C have only 2 notes tuned the same way.
I personally think Open G is easiest to transition to because there are three strings in a row (2-3-4), and I can take similar chord shapes like an F or Dm in standard and move it down the neck. Also, playing the major chord as a barre greatly benefits slide guitar, as seen in red:
I like Open G so much that I created a video course at Udemy called “Open G Guitar Tuning and 101 Blues Riffs.”
Five Open Tuning Fretboard Comparison
We have discussed the benefits and best tunings, so let’s explore where the notes are on the fretboards and compare them. Let’s start with Open G.
OPEN G GUITAR FRETBOARD:
OPEN G GUITAR FRETBOARD:
Want to learn more about open tunings? Check out these informative altered tuning guitar lessons:
DADGAD GUITAR FRETBOARD:
OPEN E GUITAR FRETBOARD:
OPEN C GUITAR FRETBOARD:
Again, What is the Best Open Tuning on Guitar?
The question “What is the best open tuning?” can be answered, but first, you must define what style you play most. If you play:
- Rock and Blues: Open G
- Slide: Open G, D or E
- Fingerstyle: Open D, Open C
- Celtic and Folk: DADGAD
Any other reasons?
You can play any style in any open tuning, but some have extra benefits. For example, Celtic music is often played in modal keys, and DADGAD uses a mixolydian tuning.
Another thing to consider is what keys you play most. Here, the choices should be obvious. If you play many songs in G, then Open G is a good solution. Of course, using a capo is easy, but again, this requires translating chords up the neck in relation to the capo.
Also, realize that Open D and E are basically the same tuning, a whole tone apart. Many slide players use three tunings: Open G, D, and E.
Make up my own stuff!
You quickly come to understand that no open tunings are as popular as standard tuning, so finding music, tabs, and learning methods will be a struggle. Moreover, that is both a blessing and a curse. However, if you want to create unique sound chords and riffs, open tuning would be a blessing.
That is likely the best part of open tunings: you create and revoice the songs in your repertoire. Take a simple three-chord song and apply one of your open tunings. You may be surprised how this breathes new life into the tried-and-true patterns of standard tuning.
Want to learn more about open tunings? Check out these informative altered tuning guitar lessons:
Open Up to Open Tunings!
Before we leave, likely the best way to determine which tuning is best is to actually play some music in open tunings. Below is a short list of songs that use one of our five open tunings. Spend an hour on each tuning, then you decide where your time is best spent. Good Luck!
🎸✨
Songs with Open Tunings
Open G Tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D):
- “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones
- “That’s the Way” by Led Zeppelin
- “Walkin’ Blues” by Robert Johnson
- “Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits
- “Fearless” by Pink Floyd
Open D Tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D):
- “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell
- “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes
- “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
- “Loser” by Beck
- “Vasoline” by Stone Temple Pilots
DADGAD Tuning (D-A-D-G-A-D):
- “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin
- “Black Mountain Side” by Led Zeppelin
- “The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin
- “Circle” by Slipknot
- “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran
Open E Tuning (E-B-E-G#-B-E):
- “Statesboro Blues” by The Allman Brothers Band
- “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones
- “It Hurts Me Too” by Elmore James
- “Just Got Paid” by ZZ Top
- “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones
Open C Tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E):
- “Ocean” by John Butler Trio
- “Friends” by Led Zeppelin
- “King of Spain” by The Tallest Man on Earth
- “Burden in My Hand” by Soundgarden
- “Little Lion Man” by Mumford & Sons
Leave suggestions and comments below for more guitar lessons.
Altered Tunings Guitar Fretboard Poster Set
- Elegant altered guitar tunings fretboard poster set with six different tunings.
- Two posters included showing six 12-fret fingerboards in the following tunings: Open G (DGDGBD), Open D (DADF#AD), DADGAD, Drop D (DADGBE), Open E (EBEG#BE), and Double D (DADGBD).
- Convenient size poster 12” x 18” (x2). Side by side, the two posters are 24” x 18.”
- All posters have a gloss finish printed on 100# Digital Gloss Text.
101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open G Guitar Tuning DGDGBD
Master the Blues in Open G Guitar Tuning (DGDGBD). 101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open G Guitar Tuning is the most complete book ever written exclusively for blues in DGDGBD tuning. It is suitable for beginners and intermediate guitarists and an excellent reference for advanced guitarists.
- Master the Blues in Open G Guitar Tuning DGDGBD
- Slide, Fingerstyle and Picking Riffs and Solos
- Traditional, Delta, Rock, Funk and Jazz Blues
- Extensive Scale, Chord, and Arpeggio Charts
- A Complete Course for Open G (DGDGBD)
- Audio Tracks Below
Classical Guitar Book in Open D Tuning
45 New Arrangments for Classical Guitar Players in Open D Tuning
• Tablature, Notation, Fingerings, and Performance Markings
• 24 of Giuliani’s right-hand technical exercises arranged for Open D
• Scales, arpeggios and chords to master the fingerboard
DADGAD Guitar Chords and Fingerboard Posters
This two-poster guitar chord set is an excellent reference for creative guitarists exploring the world of DADGAD altered tunings.
101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open D Guitar Tuning
Take your Open D guitar playing to the next level with “101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open D Guitar Tuning.” The most complete instructional book ever written exclusively in DADF#AD tuning. Using a combination of slide, fingerstyle and pick playing, you will cover all the bases needed to develop a solid technique in open D guitar. Everything you need to master the blues with essential lessons in DADF#AD guitar tuning!
- Master the Blues in Open D Guitar Tuning
- Slide, Fingerstyle and Picking Riff and Solos
- Traditional, Delta, Rock, Funk and Jazz Blues
- Extensive Scale, Chord, and Arpeggio Charts
- A Complete Course for Open D (DADF#AD)
- Audio Tracks Bellow
Open G Tuning Celtic Guitar Flatpicking
Tuning your guitar to “Open G” (DGDGBD) compliments Celtic music brilliantly. Open tunings allow the strings to vibrate, creating drones and overlapped notes reminiscent of a harp or bagpipe.
Here’s what’s in the book:
- A good selection of well-known Celtic session tunes, including jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes and songs.
- Each tune shows notation, tablature and chords.
- Some tunes are arranged in the chord melody style (with pick), while the faster tunes just have the melody line with fingerings and articulations.
- Open G chord page with 96 of the most common chords
- Fingerboard charts, major and minor scales with standard and Campanella fingerings.
- Celtic strumming patterns in 4/4 and 6/8 time to become proficient at accompanying.
- A selection of audio tracks below.
OPEN G (DGDGBD) Guitar Chords and Fingerboard Posters
This two-poster guitar chord set is an excellent reference for creative guitarists exploring the world of OPEN G (DGDGBD) altered tunings.