To play a seventh chord in Open E tuning, simply start with the Major chord shape and raise the second string by three frets as shown below: This means you can move this chord shape anywhere you want and the root note for the chord will always be on the sixth string. For example, the root note position for the Gm chord above is on the low E string. I suggest starting by learning the root note positions for each of the moveable chord shapes shown above. Some of the above chord shapes are moveable, which means you can shift them up the fretboard to find other minor chords. Here are a few examples of minor chord shapes in Open E tuning: While Major chords are simple in Open E, there are still a few easy chord shapes for minor chords. If you haven’t learned how to play barre chords before this might feel awkward, but once you get the hang of pressing your finger across the strings, you’ll see why open tunings are so popular. To play a G Major chord, flatten your finger across the third string. To play an E Major chord, you simply strum the open strings. This is why open tunings are so popular with slide players – you’re able to play a full chord across a single fret. Here is how you play Major chords in Open E tuning: You can play full chords with one finger, or you can slide back and forth between chords with a guitar slide. What makes open tunings like Open E fun to play is how easy some chord shapes are. Check out this guide to learn more about action height. If your guitar suddenly feels awkward to play, you may need to adjust the action height. This might be good or bad, depending on your playing style.

The higher string tension when you change to Open E Tuning may also increase the action height on your guitar. So if you really enjoy playing in this tuning, you might consider changing to a lighter gauge of strings.Ĭheck out this guide to learn more about string tension and gauges.

Raising the tuning on a string increases string tension, which may feel uncomfortable to play. Adjust the tuning on those strings slowly to help prevent breaking any strings. Keep in mind that some of the strings in this tuning are tuned higher than Standard Tuning. Changing into an alternate tuning like Open E Tuning changes the tension on the neck, so you may need to make a few adjustments in tuning as the guitar neck settles to the new tension. Use a good tuner and once you get through all six strings, go back and check the tuning again. Raise the A string a whole step to B and the D string to E. Keep the Low E, High E, and B strings the same as Standard Tuning. To tune your guitar into Open E, you need to change your strings to E B E G# B E.

4.3 Related Guides and Lessons: How to Tune Your Guitar in Open E Tuning

Song in open e