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Guitar tuning · 6 string

Open E Tuning

Open D moved up a whole step — the same shapes with more brightness and bite.

The strings

Low to high, the way you would say it out loud.

E6th
B5th
E4th
G♯3rd
B2nd
E1st

Getting there from standard

3 strings move; the rest stay where they are.

  1. 1st string — leave it at E
  2. 2nd string — leave it at B
  3. 3rd string — G up a half step to G♯
  4. 4th string — D up a whole step to E
  5. 5th string — A up a whole step to B
  6. 6th string — leave it at E

Why players use it

Identical intervals to Open D, pitched two semitones higher. The catch is that you tune three strings up rather than down, which adds real tension. Many players tune to Open D and use a capo at the 2nd fret to get here safely.

What it buys you

The ring of Open D with more attack. Watch the neck tension, or capo Open D instead.

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