Open G Minor Tuner

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

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

Open G with the 2nd string lowered a semitone, giving a G minor chord on the open strings.

The open strings ring Gm (with D as the lowest note).

Open G minor notes and frequencies

1stD4↓ -22ndB♭3↓ -13rdG3·4thD3·5thG2↓ -26thD2↓ -2
StringNoteFrequency (A = 440 Hz)Change
1st (highest)D4293.66 Hz-2 from E
2ndB♭3233.08 Hz-1 from B
3rdG3196.00 Hzas standard
4thD3146.83 Hzas standard
5thG298.00 Hz-2 from A
6th (lowest)D273.42 Hz-2 from E

How to tune to Open G minor from standard

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

What to play in Open G minor

Barre chords with one finger

Strum all the strings open, then lay one finger straight across every string. Open: Gm. At fret 5: Cm. At fret 7: Dm. At fret 12: Gm. 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 G minor?

Starting from standard tuning: 6th string down a whole step (2 semitones) to D; 5th string down a whole step (2 semitones) to G; 2nd string down a half step (1 semitone) to Bb; 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 G minor tuning?

From the lowest string to the highest: D2, G2, D3, G3, Bb3, D4 (D G D G Bb D).

How do I get back to standard tuning?

Reverse the changes: 6th string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E; 5th string up a whole step (2 semitones) to A; 2nd string up a half step (1 semitone) to B; 1st string up a whole step (2 semitones) to E.

Do I need different strings for Open G minor?

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

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