Open G
D G D G B D
Strumming the open strings sounds a G major chord. The home of slide guitar and the Rolling Stones' five-string riffing.
Why learn this tuning
Open G turns the guitar into a chord machine for slide and riff rock: barre any fret for a major triad, and classic five-string shapes fall under the fingers.
String notes & reference tones
Tap a string to hear its target pitch. Strings are numbered 6 (lowest) to 1 (highest).
How to tune safely
- 1From standard: drop the 6th string to D, drop the 5th string to G (match string 3 an octave down), leave 4-3-2 alone, drop the 1st string to D.
- 2Verify with octaves: 6↔4 (D), 5↔3 (G), 1↔4 (D).
- 3Strum open — a clear G major chord confirms you're there.
Common uses
- Slide and bottleneck guitar
- Blues and rock riffing
- One-finger major chords for accompaniment
What happens to chord shapes
A straight barre across any fret is a major chord (5th fret = C, 7th = D). Many players skip the low D string entirely, treating the 5th string G as the root. Standard shapes don't apply.
Practical tips
- Mute or remove the 6th string for Stones-style five-string Open G.
- With a slide, keep the bar straight over the fret wire and damp behind it.
- Major chords are easy; learn a couple of minor/voicing variants next.
FAQ
Open G vs Open D — which first?
Open G if you want rock riffs and Stones-style shapes; Open D if you want deep slide resonance and folk fingerstyle. Both teach the 'barre = major chord' idea.
Do I need a slide to use Open G?
No. Fretted riffs and one-finger majors work great. A slide is optional and iconic, not mandatory.
Keep practicing
Once you're in tune, run a focused drill — clean chord changes matter in every tuning.