Guitar tuning · Open tuning
Open D tuning
The open strings make a D major chord: D A D F♯ A D. Like Open G, the main chords are one-finger barres — the 5th fret is G and the 7th is A — with a big, resonant open sound.
6thD↓ 1 step
5thAsame
4thDsame
3rdF♯↓ ½ step
2ndA↓ 1 step
1stD↓ 1 step
Chords in Open D tuning
Tap a chord to hear it. Numbers on the dots are finger numbers; the notes under each diagram are what each string plays.
Open D tuning (D A D F♯ A D) · chordwiki.com/guitar/tunings/open-d/
How to tune to Open D
- Lower the 6th string a whole step to D (match the open 4th string).
- Lower the 3rd string a half step to F♯ (match the 4th string at the 4th fret).
- Lower the 2nd string a whole step to A (match the open 5th string, an octave up).
- Lower the 1st string a whole step to D (match the open 4th string, an octave up).
Easiest of all: use the guitar tuner set to Open D.
What it’s used for
Slide guitar, folk and fingerstyle, and singer-songwriters who want a full, droning accompaniment.
Tips
- Barre the 5th fret for G and the 7th fret for A — three chords with one finger.
- Open D is Open E a whole step lower: the shapes are identical. Put a capo on the 2nd fret to play Open E songs without retuning up.