Electric Guitar Strings

What is Open E tuning?

Q: What is Open E tuning?

Open E tuning is E B E G# B E, low to high, so the open strings form an E major chord. You get there from standard by raising the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. It's a favorite for slide guitar. Because three strings go up in pitch and get tighter, you can also use Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret instead. Open E has the same intervals as Open D, a whole step higher. Barring any fret gives you a major chord, which is why slide players love it.How to tune from standard:Leave the 6th string (E), 2nd string (B) and 1st string (E) as they are.Raise the 5th string from A up a whole step to B.Raise the 4th string from D up a whole step to E.Raise the 3rd string from G up a half step to G#.Retune all strings, since raising some lowers the others slightly.Tips:Tune up slowly and check each raised string on a tuner, so you don't overshoot.Lighter strings handle the raised pitch more comfortably. A .010–.046 set like our S1046 suits Open E on electric.Capo option: tune to Open D (D A D F# A D) and capo the 2nd fret. You get the same sound with the strings tuned lower.If you play slide in open tunings a lot, a guitar set up with slightly higher action helps the slide glide without hitting the frets. For resonator players, our Resonator sets are built for slide. On electric, see Power Wound Nickel.

Quick Answer

Open E tuning is E B E G# B E, low to high, so the open strings form an E major chord. You get there from standard by raising the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. It's a favorite for slide guitar. Because three strings go up in pitch and get tighter, you can also use Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret instead.

Open E has the same intervals as Open D, a whole step higher. Barring any fret gives you a major chord, which is why slide players love it.

How to tune from standard:

Leave the 6th string (E), 2nd string (B) and 1st string (E) as they are.
Raise the 5th string from A up a whole step to B.
Raise the 4th string from D up a whole step to E.
Raise the 3rd string from G up a half step to G#.
Retune all strings, since raising some lowers the others slightly.

Tips:

Tune up slowly and check each raised string on a tuner, so you don't overshoot.
Lighter strings handle the raised pitch more comfortably. A .010–.046 set like our S1046 suits Open E on electric.
Capo option: tune to Open D (D A D F# A D) and capo the 2nd fret. You get the same sound with the strings tuned lower.

If you play slide in open tunings a lot, a guitar set up with slightly higher action helps the slide glide without hitting the frets. For resonator players, our Resonator sets are built for slide. On electric, see Power Wound Nickel.

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