Open G tuning explained

Among alternative tunings for the guitar, an open G tuning is an open tuning that features the G-major chord; its open notes are selected from the notes of a G-major chord, such as the G-major triad (G,B,D). For example, a popular open-G tuning is

D–G–D–G–B–D (low to high).

An open-G tuning allows a G-major chord to be strummed on all six strings with neither fretting of the left hand nor a capo. Like other open tunings, it allows the eleven major chords besides G major each to be strummed by barring at most one finger on exactly one fret.

Usages in music

Open G tuning allows for open strings and single-fret bar chords to be played in key which make techniques such as slide and steel guitar viable. Open G tuning is common in blues and folk music (along with other open tunings).

Open G tuning particularly common in guitar music of Hawaiian origin including guitar styles such as slack-key guitar and steel guitar. In the context of slack-key music, open G is often referred to "Taro Patch" tuning (the term stems from taro, a traditional staple cuisine of Polynesian Hawaii). However, guitar is not a traditional Polynesian instrument; it was introduced to Hawaii by vaqueros hired by King Kamehameha III to assist with the nascent Hawaiian ranching industry in the mid 19th century.

Repetitive open-G tunings are used by Russian guitars, Dobro guitars, and banjos. They repeat three open-string notes.

The repetitive open-G tuning

D–G–B–D–G–B–D

is used by the Russian guitar, which has seven strings tuned mostly in triads, in contrast to other guitars, which are tuned mostly in fourths.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Dobros use a full six-string tuning with a bottom G: G–B–D–G–B–D, low to high. The two lowest strings are, accordingly, tuned three semitones higher for the lowest string (from E up to G) and two semitones higher for the second-lowest string (from A up to B) while the highest string is tuned two semitones lower (from E down to D), relative to standard tuning.

Five-string banjo's standard tuning is also an Open G: g–D–G–B–D, where the lower case "g" denotes the highest-pitched "drone string", physically located next to (above) the lowest-pitched string, the first upper case "D".^[4]

Alan Sparhawk of Low has been using an Open G tuning his entire musical career, since being inspired by Sonic Youth as a kid.^[5]

Overtones of the fundamental note G

See main article: Overtones tuning.

Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs has used another open-G tuning, which listed the initial six overtones of the G note,

G–G–D–G–B–D

for "Hey Hey" and while writing the demo of "Can't Get Enough".^[6] The overtones tuning G–G–D–G–B–D was used by Joni Mitchell for "Electricity", "For the Roses", and "Hunter (The Good Samaritan)".^[7] Truncating this tuning to G-D-G-B-D for his five-string guitar, Keith Richards plays this overtones-tuning on The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women", "Brown Sugar" and "Start Me Up".^[8] American rock band Eagles of Death Metal, uses this tuning for the majority of their songs.^[9]

See also

• Minor thirds tuning
• Scordatura, alternative tunings of stringed instruments
• Stringed instrument tunings

References

• Book: Denyer , Ralph . The Guitar Handbook . Special contributors Isaac Guillory and Alastair M. Crawford . 65–160 . Playing the guitar ('How the guitar is tuned', pp. 68–69, and 'Alternative tunings', pp. 158–159) . 0-330-32750-X . London and Sydney . Pan Books . Fully revised and updated . 1992.
• Web site: Alternate tuning guide. William A.. Sethares. William Sethares. n.d.. University of Wisconsin; Department of Electrical Engineering. Madison, Wisconsin. 19 May 2012. PDF

Further reading

• Book: Weissman, Dick. Guitar tunings: A comprehensive guide. Routledge. 2006. 0415974410. 9780415974417. none.

Notes and References

1. Book: Bellow, Alexander. The illustrated history of the guitar. Colombo Publications. 1970.

2. Book: Timofeyev, Oleg V.. The Golden Age of the Russian Guitar: Repertoire, performance practice, and social function of the Russian seven-string guitar music, 1800–1850. Oleg V. Timofeyev. Duke University, Department of Music. 1999. 1–584. University Microfilms (UMI), Ann Arbor, Michigan, number 9928880.
3. Book: The Russian Collection. 9. 19th Century etudes for the Russian 7-string guitar in G Op. Matanya. Ophee. Editions Orphee. PR.494028230.

   Book: The Russian Collection. 10 ("X"). Selected Concert Works for the Russian 7-String Guitar in G open tuning. Matanya. Ophee. Editions Orphee. PR.494028240.

4. http://opendtuning.com/open-g-tuning-dgdgbd/
5. Web site: Sparhawk . Alan . Low—full performance (live on KEXP) . YouTube . 4 August 2023.
6. Mick Ralphs: The rock 'N' roll fantasy continues. Lisa. Sharken. 15 May 2001. 21 February 2013. Vintage Guitar.
7. Web site: List of all Guitar and Piano Transcriptions . JoniMitchell.com . GGDGBD . February 22, 2013.
8. Ellis. Andy. How to play like ... Keith Richards. Guitar Player. 2005. 24 March 2013. subscription.
9. Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes: Special Forces Ringmaster . Premier Guitar . 22 October 2015 . March 9, 2020.