Open E tuning is a popular alternative tuning that tunes the guitar to an E major chord when all the strings are played open. This tuning is favored by many slide guitarists and is widely used in blues, rock, and folk genres due to its rich, resonant sound. The tuning modifies the standard EADGBE tuning to EBEG#BE, making it perfect for players looking to experiment with new voicings and textures in their music.
With OnlineTuner.org, tuning your guitar to Open E is quick and precise. Click here to access our tuner and get your guitar ready for Open E tuning.
In Open E tuning, the guitar strings are adjusted as follows:
To achieve this tuning, the 5th (A) string is raised to B, the 4th (D) string is raised to E, and the 3rd (G) string is raised to G#. These string adjustments will require careful tuning to avoid string breakage, especially if your strings are old or not designed for higher tension. Heavier gauge strings can help manage the increased tension on the guitar neck and strings.
To tune your guitar to Open E using OnlineTuner.org, follow these steps:
After following these steps, your guitar will be perfectly tuned to Open E. You can also use the synthesized notes in the tuner to tune by ear for more precise sound matching.
OnlineTuner.org includes several advanced features to ensure accurate and reliable tuning:
These features make OnlineTuner.org one of the most versatile and reliable tuners available, whether you're tuning to standard or alternative tunings like Open E.
Open E tuning has long been associated with slide guitar playing, particularly in blues and rock music. Guitarists like Duane Allman and Derek Trucks have made the tuning famous, using it to create the smooth, gliding sound that is characteristic of slide guitar. The tuning’s natural major chord voicing makes it ideal for slide techniques, as it allows players to move up and down the neck while maintaining full, resonant chords.
Historically, open tunings have been used in various musical traditions, from folk to Hawaiian music, but Open E has stood out for its ability to create strong, powerful chords with minimal finger movement. This has made it a favorite among guitarists who seek simplicity without sacrificing harmonic richness.
Open E tuning is widely used in blues, rock, and folk music. Its deep, open sound is perfect for slide guitar, allowing players to easily form chords and melodies with a slide. The tuning’s structure also makes it ideal for rhythm playing, as it creates a full E major chord with no need for fretting. Guitarists like Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones and Chris Cornell of Soundgarden have also used Open E tuning to craft iconic riffs and songs.
While the tuning is especially well-suited to slide playing, it’s also a great choice for strumming and fingerpicking. The open chord voicing creates a ringing, resonant tone that adds depth to any playing style.
If you're looking to tune your guitar using a non-standard tuning, we also have what you need. OnlineTuner.org provides you with the following list of alternate online guitar tuners to match your tuning requirements: