Open D Tuning
Open D tuning requires four strings to be tuned down from standard tuning. The sixth, second and first strings are lowered one tone (two frets). The third string is lowered a semitone (one fret). The open string notes as shown in the following diagram are therefore (beginning with the sixth string);
These notes form a D major chord. A D major chord consists of the notes D, F# and A.
Tuning the Guitar to Itself
Open D tuning requires the sixth, second and first strings lowered one tone as well as the third string lowered one semitone.
Step One
Option 1:
Place a left hand finger on the sixth string at the 7th fret (a B note), and play the string. Play the open fifth string (an A note). Turn the sixth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the note on the 7th fret is the same pitch as the open fifth string. The note on the 7th fret will now be an A note and the open sixth string will be a low D note.
Option 2:
Place a left hand finger on the sixth string at the 12th fret (an E note), and play the string. Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the sixth string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the note on the 12th fret is the same pitch as the open fourth string. The note on the 12th fret will now be a D note and the open sixth string will be a low D note.
Step Two
Option 1:
Play the note at the 4th fret, fourth string (an F# note). Play the open third string (a G note). Turn the third string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 4th fret, fourth string. The open third string will now be an F# note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 9th fret, fifth string (an F# note). Play the open third string (a G note). Turn the third string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 9th fret, fifth string. The open third string will now be an F# note.
Step Three
Option 1:
Play the note at the 3rd fret, third string (now an A note). Play the open second string (a B note). Turn the second string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 3rd fret, third string. The open second string will now be an A note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 12th fret, fifth string (an A note). Play the open second string (a B note). Turn the second string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 12th fret, fifth string. The open second string will now be an A note.
Step Four
Option 1:
Play the note at the 5th fret, second string (now a D note). Play the open first string (an E note). Turn the first string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 5th fret, second string. The open first string will now be a D note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 12th fret, fourth string (a D note). Play the open first string (an E note). Turn the first string tuning key slowly in a clockwise direction, lowering the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 12th fret, fourth string. The open first string will now be a D note.
Octaves - Open D Tuning
At this stage it will be helpful to learn the popular octaves that can be played within open D tuning. The sixth, fourth and first strings share the same note at the same fret and the fifth and second strings share the same note at the same fret.
Bar Chords - Open D Tuning
The most commonly used bar chords in open D tuning are also based upon the major chord, a 1st finger bar across all the strings. Other chords can be played by adding other fretted notes to the chord shape. Here are some of the more popular chords. The key note for open D bar chords is on the sixth string.
Major
Seventh
Sixth
Suspended
Add Ninth
Ninth
Dee Day is a solo played in open D tuning.
Country Stomp II is also played in open D tuning.
