What exactly is Open-E tuning?
Open-E tuning is another “open tuning”, similar to Open-G (see the previous question), only this tuning produces an E major chord when all the strings are “open” (instead of G major). In Open-E tuning, string 3 is raised one semitone and strings 4 and 5 are raised two semitones: Hear what Open-E tuning sounds like Play a MIDI file Play an MP3 file • String 1: E (highest) • String 2: B • String 3: G# raised by one semitone • String 4: E raised by two semitones • String 5: B raised by two semitones • String 6: E (lowest) Open-E tuning is different from Open-E tuning in a few ways: • First, in Open-G tuning, blues songs in the key of G (and, to a lesser degree, the key of D) are very easy to play. But in Open-E, the key of E is the easiest key to play. • Secondly, in Open-E, at any fret, the highest string yields the root note of whatever chord that fret plays. This causes the chord to have a different “feeling” than in Open-G, where the chord is inverted differently. The difference is ha
