Open D tuning gives you a full D major chord when you strum all open strings. It’s one of the most popular tunings for slide guitar, blues, and folk music. This guide covers everything from tuning to chords to songs.
What Is Open D Tuning?
Standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E
Open D tuning: D-A-D-F#-A-D
When you strum all six strings open, you hear a full D major chord. This makes it incredibly intuitive for playing with a slide or for folk-style strumming.
How to Tune to Open D
Starting from standard tuning:
1. 6th string: E down to D
2. 5th string: A stays the same
3. 4th string: D stays the same
4. 3rd string: G down to F#
5. 2nd string: B down to A
6. 1st string: E down to D
Chords in Open D
Major Chords (Barre Shape)
Every major chord is a simple barre across all strings:
– D: Open (000000)
– E: 2nd fret barre (222222)
– F: 3rd fret barre
– G: 5th fret barre (555555)
– A: 7th fret barre (777777)
– B: 9th fret barre
– C: 10th fret barre
Minor Chords
Lower the 3rd (3rd string) by one fret from the barre position:
– Dm: 000300 (lower the F# to F)
– Em: 222522 (barre at 2 but 3rd string at 5th fret — actually easier as 220200)
– Gm: 555855
7th Chords
Open D makes 7th chords easy. For D7, fret the 1st or 6th string at the 10th fret (C note) while leaving others open.
Slide Guitar in Open D
Open D is one of the two most popular slide tunings (along with open G). Here’s why:
Basic Slide Technique
Place the slide (glass, metal, or ceramic) on your ring or pinky finger. Hover it directly over the frets — not between them like normal fretting.
Slide Chord Positions
Since every barre position is a major chord, sliding between positions gives you instant chord changes:
– I-IV-V in D: Open (D) – 5th fret (G) – 7th fret (A)
– 12-bar blues: Open – 5th fret – 7th fret – 5th fret – open
Songs in Open D Tuning
Blues:
– Dust My Broom (Elmore James) — The defining slide blues song
– Death Letter (Son House)
– Crossroads (Robert Johnson versions)
Rock/Folk:
– Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)
– The Cave (Mumford & Sons)
– Street Fighting Man (Rolling Stones)
– Even Flow (Pearl Jam) — actually in open D dropped half step
Modern:
– Skinny Love (Bon Iver) — uses open D variation
– Re: Stacks (Bon Iver)
Tips for Playing in Open D
Use lighter gauge strings
Since you’re detuning several strings, lighter strings help maintain tension and playability.
Explore partial capos
A partial capo on strings 1-5 at the 2nd fret gives you an open E tuning sound with the bass D drone.
Combine slide and fretted playing
Don’t just use the slide — fret notes normally below the slide for melody and embellishment.