Guitar Tuning Open G

Discover the guitar tuning open G. This is a popular tuning it has a Banjo like sound if played with the right tone settings. It's a good slide Blues tuning.

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This tuning gets a lot of use in the traditional bottleneck style of slide guitar.

This tuning is based on the barre chord on the left except it will be one octave lower.

Two Open G Tunings

There are two different tunings for the open G. One is high and one is low. The difference is in the 6th and 5th strings

How to Tune Low G Tuning
Guitar Tuning Open G

Here are the tuning notes in case you can't see the letters on the diagram.

• E string(heavy) = D = 5th
• A string = G = Root
• D string = D = 5th
• G string = G = Root
• B string = B = 3rd
• E string = D = Root

Tuning to Low Open G

The 4, 3 and 2 strings stay tuned as standard pitch. These 3 strings are a G chord in standard tuning.

The easiest way to tune to this is have your guitar tuned to the standard tuning first.

Next tune the top E string to the open 4th string. You will hear it match up the octave as you tune down

Then tune the 1st string to the 4th only one octave higher. You will hear it blend as you tune down.

Last tune the 5th string to the 3rd string. Another octave deal. Then start playing.

Once you get used to hearing the octaves match up tuning is easy.

Open Low G Tuning Listen

Here is what it sounds like. I played the open chord and a 1st position C chord so you can hear the tuning.

Open Position Chords - Low G Tuning

G Chords

C Chords

D Chords

Open G with Slide

High Open G Tuning
Guitar Tuning Open G

This tuning is the same as the low tuning except for the 6th and 5th strings.

You have two root position chords because you have two 3rds in the tuning unlike the low tuning. I usually avoid the 6th string in the low G tuning except for some slide.

High G Tuning

• E string(heavy) = G = Root
• A string = B = 3rd
• D string = D = 5th
• G string = G = Root
• B string = B = 3rd
• E string = D = Root

I like having the root(G) on the 6th string instead of a 5th(D) and it's not that much more tension on the guitar neck.

Here are some chords. The only difference from the ones above is the 5th and 6th strings.

1st Position Chords - High G Tuning

High G Tuning - G Chords

High G Tuning - C Chords

High G Tuning - D Chords

Play around with both tunings to see which one you like better.

Slide Guitar
Guitar Tuning Open G

Learning to play slide is mostly a trial and error until you get the right feel. You will know because you notes will be clean and you wont have any fretboard knocking sound you had in the beginning.

There is no set formula for playing slide. Originally the Blues slide players used a Jack knife or pen knife as we call it today for slide. Duane Allman used a small bottle.

A Few Slide Rules

There are a couple things that all players do no matter what you use for a slide.

1 - Keep a finger behind the slide on the strings-lightly no pressing. This will dampen any extra noise from other strings you don't want sounding out.

2 - Use your picking hand to stop notes from ringing on after you want them to. You can't control this with your slide hand easily

3 - A snug but not tight fit for your slide.

Up to You - Use your ring or little finger for the slide. Most players use the Pinky because with a little practice you will still be able to fret notes and chords with the slide on your finger.

If you are only going to play slide use any finger that feels right to you. Remember you need one finger behind the slide for control and noise dampening.

Practice Slow

Practice slow and get good clean sound before trying to play slide like Johnny Winters.

Try different materials for your slide. Metal, glass, ceramic or something you may have lying around that will work.

Thank You for Visiting our Guitar Tuning Open G Page