42 tunings with step-by-step changes from standard, a mic tuner, reference tones, and a custom tuning builder.
Open D tuning is D A D F♯ A D, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st). Compared with standard tuning, 4 strings change.
The open strings play a D major chord. Loved for slide guitar and folk, and very easy for full barre chords with one finger.
The open strings ring D.
| String | Note | Frequency (A = 440 Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (highest) | D4 | 293.66 Hz | -2 from E |
| 2nd | A3 | 220.00 Hz | -2 from B |
| 3rd | F♯3 | 185.00 Hz | -1 from G |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 Hz | as standard |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 Hz | as standard |
| 6th (lowest) | D2 | 73.42 Hz | -2 from E |
Strum all the strings open, then lay one finger straight across every string. Open: D. At fret 5: G. At fret 7: A. At fret 12: D. Those are the I, IV and V chords of the key, enough for a blues or a folk song.
Open tunings are the classic choice for slide: hold the slide straight over a fret line and every string rings the chord.
Starting from standard tuning: 6th string down a whole step (2 semitones) to D; 3rd string down a half step (1 semitone) to F#; 2nd string down a whole step (2 semitones) to A; 1st string down a whole step (2 semitones) to D. Use the tuner at the top of this page for each changed string.
From the lowest string to the highest: D2, A2, D3, F#3, A3, D4 (D A D F# A D).
Reverse the changes: 6th string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E; 3rd string up a half step (1 semitone) to G; 2nd string up a whole step (2 semitones) to B; 1st string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E.
No. The changes are small enough for a normal string set.