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Open Tunings Guitar Learning Path

Created and maintained by Brent C. Robitaille (Kalymi Music) — author of 60+ instructional music books.

Overview:
Open tunings are guitar tunings where the open strings form a chord (or strong drone harmony), giving you richer resonance and simpler shapes for blues, folk, slide, and fingerstyle.

This learning path is aimed mainly at acoustic and roots players exploring blues, Celtic, slide, fingerstyle, and resonator-style guitar.

  • Tunings covered: Open D, Open G, DADGAD, and Drop D
  • What you learn: essential chord shapes, fretboard logic, and usable vocabulary (riffs, progressions, songs)
  • Who it’s for: adult learners who want a clear sequence instead of random tips

 

Already know the basics? Skip ahead ↓

Start Here — Free, 20 min →
See All Steps

⬇️ Free PDF: Open D Chords & Progressions

Pick your tuning and go

  Not sure where to start? Open D is often the easiest starting point; Open G suits riffs and slide; DADGAD fits modal and Celtic sounds; and Drop D is the simplest bridge from standard tuning.

Open D

Blues / slide / quick start

One of the most popular altered tunings for getting into open-tuning chords and blues.

Go to Open D →

Open G

Slide / riffs / flatpicking

Great for slide riffs, Celtic drones, and hard blues grooves plus resonator riff building.


Go to Open G →

DADGAD

Celtic / modal / drones

A versatile tuning for Celtic melody, drones, and rich chord voicings.

Go to DADGAD →

Drop D? It’s a bridge tuning (standard-friendly bass drone). See Step 8 →

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Tunings

These are the most common questions guitar players ask before starting Open D, Open G, DADGAD, Drop D or other tunings.

Quick answers: Most players begin with Open D or Open G. You do not need a slide to play in open tunings. Chord shapes change from standard tuning, but many become simpler once you understand the fretboard layout.

1. What is an open tuning?

An open tuning is a guitar tuning in which the open strings form a complete chord when strummed without fretting. Unlike standard tuning (EADGBE), open tunings are designed around a specific chord shape, like Open D (Dmajor chord -D-A-D-F#-A-D) or Open G (Gmajor chord: D-G-D-G-B-D)

2. What is Open D tuning?

Open D tuning is tuned D–A–D–F#–A–D. Strumming the open strings produces a D major chord. It’s widely used for blues, slide guitar, folk, and modern acoustic styles. Also called Vestapol tuning. Mumford and Sons used it in “The Cave,” and Joni Mitchell in several of her songs (Big Yellow Taxi – Capo 2)

If you’re starting with blues, see the Open D section in this learning path.

3. What is Open G tuning?

Open G tuning is tuned D–G–D–G–B–D. The open strings form a G major chord. It’s common in slide guitar, resonator guitar, blues, and roots styles. Many classic riffs by the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin are built around this tuning. 

You can explore Open G riffs and flatpicking inside the Open G section above.

4. What is DADGAD tuning used for?

DADGAD (D–A–D–G–A–D) is a modal tuning often used in Celtic, folk, and fingerstyle guitar. Unlike Open D or Open G, it does not form a full major chord, which gives it a more suspended, open sound ideal for drone-based accompaniment and melodic playing. Jimmy Page used this tuning in “Kashmir,” and modern fingerstyle master Andy McKee used this tuning in “Drifting.” 

See the DADGAD section in this path for examples and patterns.

5. Which open tuning is best for blues?

For blues, Open D and Open G are the most popular. Open D produces deep, resonant slide tones and easy 12-bar progressions. Open G works especially well for bottleneck and traditional Delta-style playing.

If you want strong riff-based blues, begin with Open G in this learning path.

6. Are open tunings harder than standard tuning?

Open tunings are not harder, just different. I’ve heard many guitar players say learning a different tuning is like starting all over again. If you always refer to standard tuning, then yes, you will need to “flip the switch” to revisit the fingerboard, chords, and scale shapes. There are some similarities between the open tunings. I’d strongly suggest reading the first article in step 1.   

This learning path is designed to help you move step by step.

7. What should I learn first in an open tuning?

I’d start with:

• Basic chord shapes (G, D, C, A. E – major and minor)
• The I–IV–V progression in those keys (Key of G: G-C-D)
• One simple scale map or pattern, like a pentatonic or major scale.
• A short riff or progression. Do a search with the tuning and grab a tab.

Most Common Open & Alternate Tunings (Quick List)

Drop DD A D G B E
Open DD A D F# A D
Open GD G D G B D
DADGADD A D G A D
Open EE B E G# B E
Open AE A E A C# E
Double Drop DD A D G B D
Open CC G C G C E
DGCGCDD G C G C D
FACGCEF A C G C E

Tip: Start with Open D if you want the fastest path into blues riffs and open-chord progressions.

Start here (20 minutes)

Do this first. Get oriented, pick ONE tuning, and learn one small thing you can actually play today. Learning a new tuning is like starting over — take your time and build a fresh vocabulary.

Do this now:

  1. → Read the overview:  Best Open Guitar Tunings (5 min)
  2. → Pick ONE tuning and do the intro: (10 min)
  3. → Use the Skip ahead section to jump to the next step that matches your goal.

Finish line for Step 1

You understand the three core tunings (Open D, Open G, DADGAD), you’ve tuned to ONE of them,
and you can play 3–4 basic chord shapes or a simple riff.

Quick starter logic:

Open D = easiest chords + fast wins
Open G = riffs + slide pathway
DADGAD = Celtic + modal drones
Drop D = bridge tuning (standard-friendly bass drone)

Step 1 materials (free)


Best Open Guitar Tunings (overview)


Open D Blues (blog)


Introduction to Open G (blog)


Introduction to DADGAD (blog)


YouTube: Open D Major Chords (DADF#AD)

By the end of this path, you’ll be able to:

  • Choose the right tuning for the musical job
  • Play chords + progressions confidently in Open D and Open G
  • Build a riff library for blues (Open D/Open G)
  • Use DADGAD for Celtic melody + accompaniment
  • Apply slide technique with cleaner intonation + control
  • Use a listening + practice system (not random drills)

Start with free lessons. Use books/courses when you want structure + volume.

Already know the basics?

If you already understand basic chords in open tunings, jump directly to your interest:

→ Open D Chords & Progressions

major/minor, movable shapes, posters, capo

→ Blues + Slide (Open D / Open G)

riff libraries, solos, scale maps, looper practice

→ DADGAD + Celtic + Chords

drones, chord shapes, flatpicking

→ Classical + Christmas (Open D)

fingerstyle repertoire + technique lessons

→ Resonator / Dobro / Lap Steel

Open G ecosystem + Celtic resonator angle

→ Improve Faster + Practice Schedules

practice system, muscle memory, warmups

→ Drop D + Other Tunings

Chords poster + free PDF + New Tunings

→ Resources + Complete Library

all posts, books, videos, audio

The complete path (expandable steps)

Work through these in order if you’re new. If you’re experienced, jump in where you want! You can still use the milestones to know what “done” looks like.

Step 2: Open D chords, progressions, movable shapes + capo

This is where Open D becomes usable for real music: chords, progressions, and the ability to move shapes (plus capo strategy).

Do this

  • Learn Open D major chord shapes
  • Add minor chords (so you can create emotional contrast)
  • Memorize 2–3 must-know progressions
  • Learn movable-chord logic (play any key)
  • Use capo to match keys/vocal range
  • [Future post: Rhythm / groove in open tunings]

Milestone

You can play progressions cleanly and move shapes (or capo) to match the song.

Website (Open D)

Open D Major Chords (blog)
Open D Minor Chords (blog)
Open D Chord Progressions (blog)
Open D Guitar Chords (product)
Open D Guitar Chord Poster (product)
[Future post: How to use a capo in Open Tunings]

YouTube (Open D chords + progressions)

10 Open D Guitar Chords You Must Know (Free PDF)
12 Must-Know Open D Guitar Chord Progressions + Free PDF
12 Open D Guitar Chord Progressions + Free PDF (Longer Version)
10 Movable Chords in Open D (Play Any Key!)
Learn 12 D Major Chords in Open D Tuning
Extra Open Tunings Video

Step 3: Blues, improvisation, and slide guitar (Open D + Open G)

This is the vocabulary step. You stop guessing and start building phrases you can repeat, vary, and combine.

Do this

  • Learn a scale map (Open D blues)
  • Learn riffs (small units) and practice combining them
  • Build 4–8 bar phrases, then connect them into a full 12-bar solo
  • Work fretted and slide versions
  • Add looper practice for timing + phrasing

Milestone

You can play a complete 12-bar solo in Open D and you’ve started a riff library in Open G.

Website (blues + improv + slide)

Open D Blues (blog)
Make a Blues Solo in Open D (blog)
Essential Blues Guitar Solo Tips
10 Tips for Improvising Flawless Music Solos
Simple Improvisation Techniques for the 12-Bar Blues
6 Essential Skills on How to Play Slide Guitar Like a Pro

Books + course

101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open D (book)
101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open G (DGDGBD) (book)
Open G Video Course: 101 Blues Riffs (Tutor LMS + Vimeo)

Open D: start here

Open D Tuning Blues Scale Lesson
Riff 1 (Open D)
Combining Riffs in Open D
Slide Guitar Riff in Open D

+ Open D riff videos (full list)

Riff 5 (Open D)
Riff 10 (Open D)
Riff 22 (Open D)
Riff 35 (Open D)
Riff 48 (Open D)
Riff 60 (Open D)
Riff 72 (Open D)
Riff 85 (Open D)
Riff 99 (Open D)

Open G: start here

101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open G (overview)
Riff 1 (Open G)
Combining Riffs (Open G)

+ Open G riff/slide/flatpicking videos (full list)

Riff 2 (Open G)
Riff 2 (Slide Guitar, Open G)
Riff 3 (Open G)
Riff 3 (Slide Guitar, Open G)
Riff 4 (Open G)
Riff 5 (Open G)
Riff 10 (Open G)
Riff 27 (Fast Lick, Open G)
Riff 47 (Open G)
Riff 58 (Open G)
Riff 71 (Jazz Blues, Open G)
Riff 82 (Open G)
Riff 97 (Delta Slide Blues, Open G)
Combining Blues Riffs (Shorts, Open G)
Open G Guitar Tuning – G Minor Chords (DGDGBD)
Open G Tuning Guitar Flatpicking Lesson

Step 4: DADGAD + Celtic styles (plus Open D/Open G flatpicking)

DADGAD is the core Celtic tuning here. Use Open D/Open G as supporting tunings depending on the piece and feel.

Do this

  • Learn the DADGAD basics + core chord vocabulary
  • Work flatpicking timing and pick control
  • Use drones intentionally (don’t let open strings ring randomly)

Milestone

You can play a Celtic melody with good timing and use drones to sound “Celtic,” not “random notes.”

Website (DADGAD + Celtic)

Introduction to DADGAD Guitar Tuning
DADGAD Guitar Chords (product)
DADGAD Guitar Celtic Flatpicking (product)
12 Tips for Flatpicking Celtic Guitar
Open G Flatpicking Lesson (blog)
Celtic Flatpicking Open D (product)
Open G Tuning Celtic Guitar Flatpicking (product)

Step 5: Classical fingerstyle + Christmas repertoire (Open D)

Open D can make fingerstyle feel natural: open bass, sustain, and strong harmony. This step builds technique + repertoire.

Do this

  • Review classical basics (hand position, tone, planting)
  • Learn one full piece end-to-end (not fragments)
  • Add seasonal pieces for fast performance wins

Milestone

You can perform at least one complete fingerstyle piece in Open D with clean transitions.

Website (classical + repertoire)

How to Play Classical Guitar (Lesson One)
How to Play Classical Guitar (Lesson Two)
Two Christmas Fingerstyle Arrangements in Open D

Products (Open D repertoire)

Erik Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1 (Open D)
Haydn: Serenade (Open D)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Open D)
O Come All Ye Faithful (Open D)
The Open D Guitar Christmas Songbook

YouTube (classical Open D)

Classical Guitar Book in Open D Tuning (YouTube)

Step 6: Resonator / Dobro / Lap steel (Open G focus)

This is the resonator angle inside the open tunings spine. Open G is the home base.

Do this

  • Use Open G as the resonator baseline
  • Work technique tips (bar control / right hand / tone)
  • Add Celtic repertoire on resonator for a unique niche angle

Milestone

You have a resonator-specific entry point that still connects cleanly to the open tunings path.

Website (resonator)

Resonator/Dobro Poster Companion eBook (Open G)
12 Tips: Resonator, Dobro & Lap Steel Guitar
Resonator Guitar Celtic Book (product)

Step 7: Improve faster (practice system, muscle memory, warmups)

Open tunings progress faster when practice is structured: short loops, consistent goals, and smart repetition.

Website (practice + learning)

Music Practice Planner Guide
Muscle Memory in Music
Max Out Your Music Practice: Warmup, Technique, Practice Schedules
Essential Blues Guitar Solo Tips
10 Tips for Improvising Flawless Music Solos
Simple Improvisation Techniques for the 12-Bar Blues

Coming later

[Future post: Songwriting in open tunings]

[Future post: Rhythm & groove in open tunings]

Step 8: Drop D (bridge tuning) + where it fits

Drop D is not “open tuning” in the strictest sense, but it’s a perfect bridge: standard tuning familiarity + a new bass drone. Great for songwriting and riff-based playing.

Drop D resource

Drop D Chord Poster & Bonus eBook

Use your looper to learn this piece in Drop D

Open tunings looper practice video

Coming later (branching tunings)

[Future post: Other open tunings (Open C, Open E, Open A, Double Drop D, etc.) 

[Future post: String gauges / tension / setup for frequent retuning]

Resources (everything in one place)

This path combines blog lessons, videos, books, PDFs, and courses so you can progress from free material into deeper study without losing your place.

Foundation: choose a tuning + start

Best Open Guitar Tunings (overview)
Open D Blues
Introduction to Open G Guitar Tuning
Introduction to DADGAD Guitar Tuning

Open D: chords + progressions

Open D Major Chords
Open D Minor Chords
Open D Chord Progressions
Open D Guitar Chords (product)
Open D Guitar Chord Poster (product)

YouTube: 10 Open D Guitar Chords You Must Know (Free PDF)
YouTube: 12 Must-Know Open D Guitar Chord Progressions + Free PDF
YouTube: 10 Movable Chords in Open D (Play Any Key)
YouTube: “12 Ways” Open D Chord Series (Full Playlist)
[How to use a capo — insert capo post link here]
[Future post: Rhythm / groove in open tunings — insert link here]

Open D / Open G: blues + slide

Make a Blues Solo in Open D
Open D Blues
Essential Blues Guitar Solo Tips
10 Tips for Improvising Flawless Music Solos
Simple Improvisation Techniques for the 12-Bar Blues
Slide Guitar Like a Pro
101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open D (book)
101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open G (book)
Open G Video Course: 101 Blues Riffs
YouTube: Open D Blues Scale Lesson
YouTube: Open G Riffs (overview)
YouTube: Open Tunings Looper Practice

Open G: chords + posters + flatpicking

Introduction to Open G
Open G (DGDGBD) Guitar Tuning Chords (product)
Open G Guitar Chord Poster + Bonus PDF/eBook
Open G Flatpicking Lesson
YouTube: Open G Flatpicking Lesson
YouTube: Open G Minor Chords

DADGAD: chords + Celtic

Introduction to DADGAD
DADGAD Guitar Chords (product)
DADGAD Guitar Celtic Flatpicking (product)
12 Tips for Flatpicking Celtic Guitar
Celtic Flatpicking Open D (product)
Open G Tuning Celtic Guitar Flatpicking (product)

Classical + Christmas (Open D)

How to Play Classical Guitar (Lesson One)
How to Play Classical Guitar (Lesson Two)
Two Christmas Fingerstyle Arrangements in Open D
The Open D Guitar Christmas Songbook
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1 (Open D)
Haydn: Serenade (Open D)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Open D)
O Come All Ye Faithful (Open D)
YouTube: Classical Guitar Book in Open D

Resonator / Dobro / Lap steel

Resonator/Dobro Poster Companion eBook (Open G)
12 Tips: Resonator/Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar
Resonator Guitar Celtic Book

Drop D (bridge tuning)

Drop D Chord Poster
Get the free PDF Drop D eBook when you order the poster

All guitar books (category)

Guitar Books category page

🎧 Listening & audio (how to use it)

Listening is part of this learning path. Use it in three ways:
(1) pick one track and copy the rhythm feel,
(2) steal one lick idea and rebuild it in your key,
(3) use the audio as a tone target while you practice.

SoundCloud album playlist
Download audio tracks (ZIP)

Most book audio is also linked from their individual product pages (see Books and Products). Sample tracks below from the books and courses in this learning path.

Classical Guitar Book in Open D Tuning

Solos and Riffs: 101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open D

DADGAD Guitar Celtic Flatpicking

101 Blues Riffs and Solos in Open G (DGDGBD)

Boilerplate text to link back to this learning path

Copy/paste these into related blog posts, product pages, and YouTube descriptions for consistent internal linking.


Standard link text

For a complete structured learning path covering Open D, Open G, and DADGAD tunings — including chords, blues vocabulary, slide guitar, Celtic flatpicking, classical fingerstyle, and resonator techniques — visit the Open Tunings Guitar Learning Path.

Short version

See the complete Open Tunings Guitar Learning Path for structured lessons in Open D, Open G, and DADGAD.

Anchor link version

This lesson is part of the Open Tunings Guitar Learning Path. Jump to blues & slide guitar, Celtic flatpicking, or all resources.


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