Open E Tuning: Blues, Slide & Rock in Open E

Open E tuning is the sound of raw, powerful blues guitar. When you strum all six strings, you get a ringing E major chord - no fretting required. Place a slide across any fret, and you get a major chord at that position. It’s the tuning Duane Allman used for his legendary slide work, and it’s the backbone of Southern rock and Delta blues.

How to Tune to Open E

From standard tuning (EADGBE), raise three strings:

String	Standard	Open E	Change
6th	E	E	No change
5th	A	B	Up 1 whole step
4th	D	E	Up 1 whole step
3rd	G	G#	Up 1 half step
2nd	B	B	No change
1st	E	E	No change

Caution: Three strings are tuned UP, which increases tension on the neck. Use lighter gauge strings (.010 or .009) to compensate, or use Open D tuning (same shapes, two frets lower, less tension) as an alternative.

The open strings now sound: E-B-E-G#-B-E - a full E major chord.

Why Open E?

Instant Chord With a Slide

Lay a slide across any fret, and all six strings produce a major chord at that fret. This is why slide guitar and open tunings go hand in hand.

Slide Position	Chord
Open	E
3rd fret	G
5th fret	A
7th fret	B
10th fret	D
12th fret	E (octave)

Full, Open Bass

The low three strings (E-B-E) create a massive bass foundation. Standard tuning’s E-A-D bass can’t match the power of E-B-E.

Easy I-IV-V Blues

• E (I): Open strings
• A (IV): Slide to 5th fret
• B (V): Slide to 7th fret

A complete 12-bar blues with one slide position at three frets.

Chord Shapes in Open E

E Major (Open)

e|---0---|
B|---0---|
G#|--0---|
E|---0---|
B|---0---|
E|---0---|

Just strum all strings open.

A Major (Barre at 5th fret)

e|---5---|
B|---5---|
G#|--5---|
E|---5---|
B|---5---|
E|---5---|

E7 (Adding ♭7)

e|---0---|
B|---0---|
G#|--0---|
E|---0---|
B|---3---|  (D note = ♭7 of E)
E|---0---|

A Minor (Partial Barre)

e|---0---|
B|---0---|
G#|--0---|
E|---2---|
B|---0---|
E|---0---|

Slide Guitar in Open E

Basic Slide Technique

1. Place the slide directly over the fret wire
2. Light pressure - don’t press down to the frets
3. Mute behind the slide with your free fingers
4. Target notes: 12th fret (E), 7th fret (B), 5th fret (A)

Blues Turnaround in Open E

e|---12--12--10--10-------|
B|---12--12--10--10-------|
G#|--12--12--10--10-------|
E|---0-----0-----0--------|
B|-----------0-----0------|
E|---0-----0-----0--------|

Slide from the 12th fret to the 10th fret while the open bass strings drone. This is the classic blues turnaround sound.

Songs in Open E

1. “Statesboro Blues” – The Allman Brothers Band - Duane Allman’s signature slide piece
2. “Dust My Broom” – Elmore James - The founding slide blues riff
3. “Rocky Mountain Way” – Joe Walsh - Rock slide in Open E
4. “Bo Diddley” – Bo Diddley - That shuffling rhythm in open tuning
5. “She Talks to Angels” – The Black Crowes - Acoustic open E fingerpicking

Open E vs Open D

Open E and Open D use the same shapes - Open D is just two frets (one whole step) lower:

	Open E	Open D
Tuning	E-B-E-G#-B-E	D-A-D-F#-A-D
String tension	Higher	Lower
String breakage risk	Higher	Lower
Sound	Brighter, punchier	Warmer, woodier

If string breakage is a concern, use Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret for identical results with less tension.

Common Mistakes

1. Not adjusting string gauge. Standard strings in Open E are under extra tension. Use lighter gauges or risk broken strings and neck stress.

2. Pressing the slide too hard. Light contact produces clean, singing tones. Hard pressing creates fret wire contact and buzz.

3. Forgetting to mute. Open E rings sympathetically on all strings. Active muting with both hands is essential.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Use the Tuner in Guitar Wiz to tune precisely to Open E - the chromatic mode shows each string’s target pitch clearly. Then use the Chord Library to compare standard and Open E chord voicings side by side.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Guitar Tuner →

FAQ

Is Open E bad for my guitar?

The increased tension can stress lighter-built acoustics over time. Use light gauge strings and consider Open D as a lower-tension alternative.

Can I play Open E without a slide?

Yes. Many songs use Open E for fingerpicking and chord strumming without slide. The open chord and easy shapes work beautifully for blues and rock.

What slide material works best for Open E?

Glass for warm blues tones, metal (brass or steel) for cutting rock tones. Both work excellently in Open E.

People Also Ask

What is open E tuning? A guitar tuning where the strings are tuned to E-B-E-G#-B-E, forming an E major chord when strummed open.

How do you tune a guitar to open E? Raise the 5th string from A to B, the 4th string from D to E, and the 3rd string from G to G#. Keep the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings at standard pitch.

What songs use open E tuning? “Statesboro Blues” (Allman Brothers), “Dust My Broom” (Elmore James), and “She Talks to Angels” (Black Crowes).