Open D Minor Tuner

42 tunings with step-by-step changes from standard, a mic tuner, reference tones, and a custom tuning builder.

Open D minor tuning is D A D F A D, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st). Compared with standard tuning, 4 strings change.

Open D with the 3rd string a semitone lower, so the open strings ring a D minor chord. Dark and haunting for blues and folk.

The open strings ring Dm.

Open D minor notes and frequencies

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	F3	174.61 Hz	-2 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

How to tune to Open D minor from standard

Tune the 6th string down a whole step (2 semitones), from E to D. Check it against the open 4th string: it should be the same note one octave lower.
Tune the 3rd string down a whole step (2 semitones), from G to F.
Tune the 2nd string down a whole step (2 semitones), from B to A. Check it against the open 5th string: it should be the same note one octave higher.
Tune the 1st string down a whole step (2 semitones), from E to D. Check it against the open 4th string: it should be the same note one octave higher.
Strum all the open strings. You should hear Dm. If one string sounds sour, check it with the tuner.

What to play in Open D minor

Barre chords with one finger

Strum all the strings open, then lay one finger straight across every string. Open: Dm. At fret 5: Gm. At fret 7: Am. At fret 12: Dm. Those are the I, IV and V chords of the key, enough for a blues or a folk song.

Slide guitar

Open tunings are the classic choice for slide: hold the slide straight over a fret line and every string rings the chord.

Common questions

How do I tune my guitar to Open D minor?

Starting from standard tuning: 6th string down a whole step (2 semitones) to D; 3rd string down a whole step (2 semitones) 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.

What are the notes of Open D minor tuning?

From the lowest string to the highest: D2, A2, D3, F3, A3, D4 (D A D F A D).

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Reverse the changes: 6th string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E; 3rd string up a whole step (2 semitones) to G; 2nd string up a whole step (2 semitones) to B; 1st string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E.

Do I need different strings for Open D minor?

No. The changes are small enough for a normal string set.

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