What are the notes of Open D tuning?

Open D tuning on guitar is D A D F♯ A D, from the lowest string to the highest.

How do I tune to Open D from standard tuning?

Starting from standard (E A D G B E): string 6 down a whole step, string 3 down a half step, string 2 down a whole step, string 1 down a whole step. Every other string stays the same. Use the tuner above to check each string.

Is Open D tuning bad for my guitar?

No. Changing tuning is completely safe. Just tune gradually, and when raising pitch go slowly so you don't over-tighten a string. After a big change, the neck can take a day to settle, so check your tuning again.

Open D tuningD A D F♯ A D

Open D tunes the guitar to a D major chord: D A D F♯ A D. Strum the open strings and you hear D major; barre any fret for a new major chord.

Open D is a favourite for slide guitar, folk and fingerstyle because the open strings ring together so fully.

From standard, lower the 6th, 2nd and 1st strings a whole step and the 3rd string a half step. The 5th and 4th strings stay where they are.

Also called · DADF#AD

§ 1

String chart

String 1 is the thinnest. Frequencies are exact at A4 = 440 Hz; change the reference on the A4 knob.

StrNoteFrequencyFrom std.

1DD4 · Re293.7 Hz▼ a whole step

2AA3 · La220.0 Hz▼ a whole step

3F♯F♯3 · Fa♯185.0 Hz▼ a half step

4DD3 · Re146.8 Hz—

5AA2 · La110.0 Hz—

6DD2 · Re73.42 Hz▼ a whole step

§ 2

Tuning your guitar to Open D

Automatically with the microphone, or by ear: tap any note on the headstock to hear a real recorded reference.

1
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2
Pluck one string at a time and let it ring. The tuner detects which string you're playing.
3
If the needle is left of centre the string is flat, so tighten it. If it's right of centre the string is sharp, so loosen it.
4
Turn the peg slowly until the note turns green and the needle sits in the middle. Then move on to the next string.
5
Go round once more: tuning one string slightly changes the tension on the others.

§ 4

Questions & troubleshooting

What are the notes of Open D tuning?: Open D tuning on guitar is D A D F♯ A D, from the lowest string to the highest.
How do I tune to Open D from standard tuning?: Starting from standard (E A D G B E): string 6 down a whole step, string 3 down a half step, string 2 down a whole step, string 1 down a whole step. Every other string stays the same. Use the tuner above to check each string.
Is Open D tuning bad for my guitar?: No. Changing tuning is completely safe. Just tune gradually, and when raising pitch go slowly so you don't over-tighten a string. After a big change, the neck can take a day to settle, so check your tuning again.

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