Open G is one of the most popular tunings for slide guitar – and for good reason. The tuning gives you that big, open sound that’s perfect for blues, country, and rock slide playing.
But before you can dive into the licks and techniques, you need to get your guitar set up correctly. Let me walk you through exactly how to tune to Open G, understand how the tuning works, and choose the right slide for your playing.
How to Tune to Open G
Open G tuning is: D – G – D – G – B – D (low to high)
Starting from standard tuning, here’s what changes:
6th string: Tune down from E to D (one whole step down)
5th string: Stays at A… wait, no – tune down from A to G (one whole step down)
4th string: Stays at D
3rd string: Stays at G
2nd string: Stays at B
1st string: Tune down from E to D (one whole step down)
So you’re only changing three strings: 6th, 5th, and 1st. The middle strings stay where they are.
Watch: Getting Into Open G Tuning
Understanding the Open G Chord
When you strum all six strings open, you’re playing a G major chord. But here’s the important thing to understand: your root note is on the 5th string, not the 6th.
The 6th string (low D) is actually the 5th of the chord, not the root. This means when you’re playing bass notes, you’ll often focus on the 5th string to get that solid root-note foundation.
That low D string gives you what Colin calls an “inverted fifth” – it creates a country-flavored sound that works great for certain styles, but it’s not the root. Understanding this helps you make better choices about which strings to emphasize in your playing.
Choosing the Right Slide
Slides come in different materials and sizes. The most common options:
Glass slides: Smooth, warm tone. Great for beginners because they’re forgiving on intonation. Colin mentions players have used everything from “knives and flashlights and big lighters” as slides over the years, but a proper glass slide is the way to go.
Metal slides: Brighter, more cutting tone. Heavier slides sustain longer but require more control.
Ceramic/porcelain: Somewhere in between glass and metal.
For slide fit, you want it snug enough that it doesn’t rattle around, but loose enough that you can control it smoothly. Most players wear the slide on their pinky or ring finger.
Checking Your Intonation
Here’s a tip for making sure you’re playing in tune: fret a note normally with your finger, then play the same pitch with your slide. If you’re right over the fret wire with your slide, the pitches should match exactly.
This is a great way to train your ear and your muscle memory – use the fretted note as your reference, then match it with the slide. Over time, you’ll develop the feel for where “in tune” lives on each fret.
Setting Up Your Guitar for Slide
Some players dedicate a guitar specifically for slide and set it up with higher action. Higher action (the distance between strings and frets) means you can press harder with the slide without the strings buzzing against the frets.
If you’re using one guitar for both regular playing and slide, you’ll need to find a balance. A medium action works for most players who want versatility.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once you’ve got your guitar tuned and your slide selected, you’re ready to start learning the essential positions. Check out the 12 bar blues in Open G to learn where your I, IV, and V chords live on the neck.
Want to Play Slide Guitar? Start Here (Free)
Most people grab a slide and get frustrated within five minutes. There's a reason for that, and it's easy to correct once you know the secret!
I've put together a short series of free video lessons that will get you playing slide the right way. You'll learn the best tuning to start with (hint: it's not standard!), how to lay down a mean rhythm with your slide, and why slide guitar can actually be easier than normal guitar once you know the trick.
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