Open D tuning notes, open D chord songs, easy D chord shapes, and how to tune your guitar to this gorgeous open tuning; come and learn all you need to know in 5 minutes… 🎸
Open D tuning is your solution to break free from boredom and explore new songs to learn in a popular alternative open guitar tuning.
From the notes to popular open D chord shapes, let’s dive into the depths of open D tuning and uncover its magic.
What is Open D Tuning?
Open D tuning is an alternative way of tuning your guitar that allows you to play a D major chord without fretting any strings.
Open D tuning is popular in part because it creates a full, rich sound that can be easily modified to suit a song’s style.
Whether it’s the soulful wails of blues slide guitar or the intricate fingerpicking patterns of folk music, open D tuning offers a unique sonic palette for guitarists to let rip and experiment.
How Do You Tune Your Guitar to Open D Tuning?
A guitar is typically tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E. However, in open D tuning, the strings are tuned to the notes of a D major triad, resulting in the notes D-A-D-F#-A-D from low to high.
Here’s how to tune your guitar to open D tuning in simple steps:
- Tune the 6th string (low E) down a tone (whole step) to D.
- The A and D strings stay the same as in standard tuning.
- Lower the 3rd string by a semitone (half step) from G to F#
- Lower the 2nd string (B) down a tone to A.
- Tune the 1st (top E) string down a tone to D.
Open D Tuning Notes Vs. Standard Tuning Notes
Pro Tip
When you change the tuning of your guitar, it might take a little while for the strings to settle into their new tension. Check the strings after each tweak with a tuner until the new tuning beds in.
Open D Tuning Chords
Open D tuning offers a new world of chords that are easy to play (skill level depending, of course) and sound beautifully resonant. Up next is a rundown of some basic open D tuning chord shapes:
Open D Tuning Major Chords
Major chords in open D are a breeze. It’s like having a chord factory at your fingertips.
For this particular open D tuning major chord shape, you can create a major chord by simply barring all six strings on the same fret.
Yup, It’s that simple.
To make a D major chord, you strum all strings open: 0-0-0-0-0-0. For an E major, bar the first fret across all strings: 2-2-2-2-2-2. F major is played by holding down the strings at the third fret: 3-3-3-3-3-3.
Repeat this pattern up the fretboard to play any major chord you fancy. Check out these open D tuning major chord shapes below.👇
Pro Tip
Love the new sound of open D tuning and have more than one guitar? To save the faff of tuning down and tuning up again, keep one of your guitars permanently in the open tuning. Try a slightly heavier string gauge than usual and see if you like the feel.
Open D Tuning Minor Chord Shapes
When you’re tuning your guitar to open D, you’ll find a bunch of different ways to play minor chords.
To make things easy, I’ve got a handy shape for you that you can slide up and down the neck to play the different minor chords with the same fingerings.
Think of it like having a one-size-fits-all solution.
As you can see below, the D minor shape is the only unique fingering and the rest use the same movable shape. 👇
👉 Getting the hang of how chords, notes, and intervals are put together in tunings like open D can really open up new doors for your guitar playing.
It’s like learning a new language for your guitar that lets you say a lot more cool stuff.
If music theory isn’t your strong suit, no worries! I’ve got a book that breaks it down super simple, just for beginners: Easy Peasy Guitar Music Theory: for Beginners. 👇
Open D Tuning Songs
From Bob Dylan’s storytelling to Beck’s genre-bending soundscapes, open D tuning has been a creative outlet for many legendary artists.
Here’s a list of songs that use open D tuning you can learn to play on guitar:
- “Your Love Is Forever” by George Harrison: A serene ballad featuring George Harrison’s signature slide guitar work, showcasing the emotive beauty of open D tuning.
- “Graduate” by Third Eye Blind: A dynamic rock anthem with catchy hooks and infectious energy using D tuning to add depth to the guitar arrangements.
- “A Life Of Illusion” by Joe Walsh: Joe Walsh’s introspective lyrics and melodic guitar lines shine in this classic rock hit in open D tuning.
- “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell: Tune your guitar to open D tuning and pop a capo on the 4th fret to match the original key of F# for this folksy number off Joni’s album Clouds.
- “Loser” by Beck: Beck’s breakout hit combines elements of alternative rock, hip-hop, and folk, with open D tuning giving a distinctive edge to the guitar-driven melody.
- “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin’s blues-rock epic features Jimmy Page’s iconic slide guitar work, performed in open D tuning, creating a haunting and powerful atmosphere.
- “Walkin’ Blues” by Robert Johnson: A timeless blues standard showcasing Robert Johnson’s virtuoso guitar skills and soulful vocals, played in open D tuning for its authentic blues sound.
- “Diddie Wa Diddie” by Blind Blake: This upbeat blues tune by Blind Blake highlights his intricate fingerstyle guitar playing, with open D tuning adding a lively and vibrant quality to the music.
- “Lovestain” by José González: This melodic folk tune features soothing vocals and intricate guitar work, with open D tuning adding an airy yet deep touch.
- “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons: With its focus on simple open chords and a basic strumming pattern, this song is a perfect introduction to open D tuning. Don’t forget the capo on fret 2 so you can play along to the song.
Summing it Up
Whether you’re belting out time-honored hits or composing a tune that’s all your own, open D tuning adds that extra layer of depth.
Time to tune up, play around, and let your creativity flow in directions you never expected!
Happy strumming and picking, superstar. 🎸
