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What Are Open Tunings?
Open tunings are alternate guitar tunings where all six open strings form a recognizable chord when strummed. They open up new harmonic territories, enable unique resonance, and can make complex chords remarkably simple to play.
For fingerstyle guitarists, open tunings are not optional — they're essential. The vast majority of contemporary fingerstyle compositions use some form of altered tuning.
Why Use Open Tunings?
- Resonance: Open strings vibrate sympathetically with fretted notes, creating a fuller, richer sound
- Unique voicings: Chord shapes that are impossible in standard tuning become accessible
- Simpler technique: Complex chords often require fewer fingers
- New inspiration: A changed tuning forces you to hear the guitar differently, sparking new musical ideas
The Most Important Tunings
DADGAD
The queen of fingerstyle tunings. Low to high: D-A-D-G-A-D.
Creates a Dsus4 chord on open strings — unresolved and haunting. Used extensively in Celtic music and contemporary fingerstyle.
Key artists: Andy McKee (Rylynn, Ebon Coast), Michael Hedges, Don Ross
How to tune from standard:
- Lower 6th string from E to D
- Lower 2nd string from B to A
- Lower 1st string from E to D
Open D (DADF#AD)
A full D major chord on open strings. Warm, full, and perfect for slide and non-slide fingerstyle.
Key artists: Andy McKee (Drifting), various blues guitarists
From standard: Lower strings 1, 2, 6 (1st and 2nd to A and D, 6th to D)
Open G (DGDGBD)
Rolling Stones territory, but also used in beautiful fingerstyle arrangements. G major on open strings.
From standard: Lower strings 1 and 6 to D, lower string 5 to G
Open E (EBEG#BE)
Full, bright, and powerful. E major chord open. Common in blues-influenced fingerstyle.
From standard: Raise strings 3, 4, 5 (3rd to G#, 4th to E, 5th to B)
Practical Tips
Use a Clip-On Tuner
Alternate tunings can be hard to tune by ear at first. A clip-on chromatic tuner is invaluable.
Label Your Tunings
Keep a notebook of tunings you use and which pieces they correspond to. After a while you'll tune by ear, but early on, notes help.
Re-string if Needed
Heavier alternate tunings (raising strings) can increase tension and potentially damage the guitar. Lower tunings (dropping strings) reduce tension and are generally safe.
Start With DADGAD
It's the most widely used and there's the most educational material available. Learn it first.
The Mental Shift
The hardest part of alternate tunings isn't the mechanics — it's the mental recalibration. Your fretboard knowledge from standard tuning becomes temporarily useless. Embrace this. The beginner's mind in a new tuning is where creative discoveries happen.
Every major fingerstyle composer who uses alternate tunings reports that the tuning itself generated musical ideas they wouldn't have found otherwise.