# Open D tuning

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**Open D tuning** is an [open tuning](/source/Open_tuning) for the [acoustic](/source/Steel-string_guitar) or [electric guitar](/source/Electric_guitar). The open [string](/source/String_(music)) [notes](/source/Musical_note) in this [tuning](/source/Guitar_tunings) are (from lowest to highest): [D](/source/D_(musical_note)) [A](/source/A_(musical_note)) [D](/source/D_(musical_note)) [F](/source/F%E2%99%AF_(musical_note)) [A](/source/A_(musical_note)) [D](/source/D_(musical_note)). It uses the three [notes](/source/Musical_note) that form the [triad](/source/Triad_(music)) of a [D major](/source/D_major) [chord](/source/Chord_(music)): D (the root note), F (the major third) and A (the perfect fifth).[1][unreliable source?]

To tune a guitar from standard tuning to open D tuning, lower the 1st (high-E) string down a full step to D, 2nd (B) string down a full step to A, 3rd (G) string down a half step to F, and 6th (low-E) string down a full step to D.

In this tuning, when the [guitar](/source/Guitar) is strummed without [fretting](/source/Fret) any of the strings, a D major chord is sounded. This means that any major chord can be easily created using one finger, fretting all the strings at once (also known as [barring](/source/Barre_chord)); for example, fretting all the strings at the second [fret](/source/Fret) will produce an [E major](/source/E_major) chord, at the third fret an [F major](/source/F_major) chord, and so on up the neck.

Open D tuning is very popular with [slide guitar](/source/Slide_guitar) (or 'bottleneck') players, as it allows them to play complete chords using the slide. This tuning is also used in regular (non-slide) guitar playing. The full and vibrant sound it produces - particularly on an [acoustic guitar](/source/Steel-string_guitar) - also makes it ideal for [fingerstyle](/source/Fingerstyle) playing.[2]

Many new chord shapes and sounds are available with open D tuning. It can offer a strong compositional element that produces [tonal](/source/Tonality) qualities markedly different from standard tuning. The full range of major and [minor chords](/source/Minor_chord), with all their extensions, are available to the player. Many well-known guitarists have used this tuning at some point in their career. [Neil Young](/source/Neil_Young), [Richie Havens](/source/Richie_Havens), [Joni Mitchell](/source/Joni_Mitchell), [Bruce Cockburn](/source/Bruce_Cockburn), [Barry Gibb](/source/Barry_Gibb), [Jim O'Rourke](/source/Jim_O'Rourke_(musician)) and Jason Swain have all released recordings featuring this tuning. [Elmore James](/source/Elmore_James) used this tuning heavily. [Stone Gossard](/source/Stone_Gossard) from [Pearl Jam](/source/Pearl_Jam) uses this tuning when playing the [rhythm guitar](/source/Rhythm_guitar) on "[Even Flow](/source/Even_Flow)" and "[Oceans](/source/Oceans_(Pearl_Jam_song))", from their *[Ten](/source/Ten_(Pearl_Jam_album))* album. Broadbay use this tuning in all their songs. [Mumford & Sons](/source/Mumford_%26_Sons) also use this tuning on their tracks "[The Cave](/source/The_Cave_(song))", "[Awake My Soul](/source/Sigh_No_More_(Mumford_%26_Sons_album))" and "[Roll Away Your Stone](/source/Roll_Away_Your_Stone)" from their album *[Sigh No More](/source/Sigh_No_More_(Mumford_%26_Sons_album))*. [Needtobreathe](/source/Needtobreathe) used it on some of their songs, most notably "Something Beautiful" from [The Outsiders](/source/The_Outsiders_(Needtobreathe_album)). Laura Marling uses the tuning on the title track of her 2010 album, *[I Speak Because I Can](/source/I_Speak_Because_I_Can)*. [Kevin Shields](/source/Kevin_Shields) of [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)) uses this tuning and its variations on many songs.[3] Also, Alessio Frusta uses this tuning on the track "Freedom Island" from his 2015 album *Pen Siero*. Additionally, [Switchfoot](/source/Switchfoot) uses this tuning on the track "Daisy" from its 2005 album *[Nothing Is Sound](/source/Nothing_Is_Sound)*, albeit lowered a half step (giving an open D tuning with the same intervalic relationships as open D). [Mitski](/source/Mitski) uses this tuning for almost all her songs,[4][5] while guitarists performing with her live often use standard tuning.[6]

## Variations

### F-A-D-F-A-D, Open D tuning with low F

Used by some Brazilian [sertanejo](/source/Sertanejo_music) musicians on the acoustic guitar to approximate the sound of the [viola caipira](/source/Viola_caipira), a Brazilian country guitar with ten paired strings, traditionally tuned either A-D-F#-A-D or B-E-G#-B-E.

### D-A-D-F-A-C, Open Dmaj7 tuning

This variant is achieved by lowering the high D string a half step to C when tuned to open D. C is the [major seventh](/source/Major_seventh) of the D [major scale](/source/Major_scale), hence the name. It also can be used for both fingerstyle and slide guitar work.

### D-A-D-F-A-D, Open Dm tuning

This variant uses an F natural, the [minor third](/source/Minor_third).

This tuning has been used by Niko Wenner of [Oxbow](/source/Oxbow_(band)) on the songs "Angel," "Cat and Mouse"; by Ian Thornley of Big Wreck on "Ladylike" and "Overemphasizing" and by [Owen Campbell](/source/Owen_Campbell_(musician)) on "Sunshine Road".

DADFAD tuning is ideal for guitarists who are accompanying instruments that are tuned to [minor scales](/source/Minor_scale), such as the [Native American flute](/source/Native_American_flute).[7]

### D-A-D-A-D-D, Open D5 tuning

This variant is used most notably by [Mark Tremonti](/source/Mark_Tremonti) of [Alter Bridge](/source/Alter_Bridge) and [Creed](/source/Creed_(band)). Eight of the songs in which it is used are "[Are You Ready?](/source/Are_You_Ready%3F_(Creed_song))",[8] "[Faceless Man](/source/Human_Clay)",[8] "[My Sacrifice](/source/My_Sacrifice)",[9] "[Weathered](/source/Weathered)",[9] "[Open Your Eyes](/source/Open_Your_Eyes_(Alter_Bridge_song))",[10] "[Ghost of Days Gone By](/source/Ghost_of_Days_Gone_By)" (half-step down),[11] "[Life Must Go On](/source/AB_III)",[12] and “[Fortress](/source/Fortress)” (half-step down).[13] It is also used on "[Rain](/source/Rain_(Creed_song))",[14] "[Brains](/source/All_I_Was)", and "[New Way Out](/source/All_I_Was)", all tuned down 1 and a half steps (BFBFBB). Mark has mentioned in his instructional DVD that this tuning is one of his favorites because of its simplicity. It is also used by the [Goo Goo Dolls](/source/Goo_Goo_Dolls) in their song "[Black Balloon](/source/Black_Balloon_(Goo_Goo_Dolls_song))", which was tuned down a half step on the album but played live in Open D5. "Without You", "Emotion Sickness" and "Paint Pastel Princess" by Australian band [Silverchair](/source/Silverchair) also uses the Open D5 tuning, but down half a step. [Fair to Midland](/source/Fair_to_Midland) use this tuning tuned down 1 full step (CGCGCC) and 1 1/2 steps (BFBFBB).

### D-A-D-D-A-D

A variation on the above Open D5 tuning, is occasionally used by folk guitarists, such as [Stephen Stills](/source/Stephen_Stills) on the song "4+20".[15] It has the advantage of a ringing pair of identical Ds on the third and fourth strings, which can be used to carry a melody line above a bed of D5 created by the other strings.

### D-A-D-A-A-D

This tuning has been used by:

- [Dave Wakeling](/source/Dave_Wakeling) of [The Beat](/source/The_Beat_(British_band)) (known in North America as The English Beat) on the track "Save It For Later" from *[Special Beat Service](/source/Special_Beat_Service)* as well as "Click Click" from the band's debut.[16]
- [Alex Lifeson](/source/Alex_Lifeson) of Canadian rock band [Rush](/source/Rush_(band)) on the track "[Hope](/source/Hope_(Rush_song))" from *[Snakes & Arrows](/source/Snakes_%26_Arrows)* as well as [Stone Gossard](/source/Stone_Gossard) of American Rock Band [Pearl Jam](/source/Pearl_Jam) on the track "Let the Records Play".[17]
- Allen Maslen, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with the British folk-rock band Meet On The Ledge. Tracks with this tuning include Only Angels, Gas Street Shuffle, Freeze, The Litten Tree and One For His Nob.
- [Ben Howard](/source/Ben_Howard) for the EP [Old Pine](/source/Old_Pine_(EP)).
- American rock band [Rival Sons](/source/Rival_Sons) use this tuning on their 2019 song "Look Away".
- [Owl City](/source/Owl_City) in his project Sky Sailing.
- Philip Toshio Sudo, who wrote the book "Zen Guitar".

### D-D-D-A-D-F

Nicknamed the "Wind of Change," this tuning was used by [Peter Frampton](/source/Peter_Frampton) on his song of the same name. Frampton discovered this tuning while browsing guitars at the home of [George Harrison](/source/George_Harrison), who had a large collection of guitars in various tunings. When speaking of the tuning in an interview, Frampton said, "The low E and A strings drop down to D, the fourth string remains unchanged, the third string goes up to A, the second string up to D, and the first string up to F , so there's a D triad on top and three Ds on the bottom. It's a very strange tuning, but oh my God, it sounds huge."

## References

1. ["Alternate Tuning Guide - Open D Tuning - D A D F A D"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090217033621/http://guitar.about.com/library/bltuningdadfsharpad.htm). Archived from [the original](http://guitar.about.com/library/bltuningdadfsharpad.htm) on 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

1. [\[1\]](http://opendtuning.com) Open D Tuning: Home

1. ["r/MyBloodyValentine - guitar tunings on mbv & loveless??"](https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBloodyValentine/comments/8wleot/guitar_tunings_on_mbv_loveless/). *reddit*. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-16.

1. ["Mitski at the Columbus"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190816170944/http://www.bsidemagazine.org/features-1/2015/11/23/mitski-at-the-columbus). *B-SIDE Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bsidemagazine.org/features-1/2015/11/23/mitski-at-the-columbus) on 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2019-08-16.

1. hrishikesh (2016-09-07). ["Episode 83: Mitski"](http://songexploder.net/mitski). *Song Exploder*. Retrieved 2019-08-16.

1. ["Mitski - Bury Me At Makeout Creek (Tab)"](https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/mitski/bury_me_at_makeout_creek_tabs_2318573). *tabs.ultimate-guitar.com*. Retrieved 2019-08-16.

1. Clint Goss (2011). ["Simple Guitar Accompaniment for Native American Flute - DADFAD Tuning"](http://www.Flutopedia.com/simple_guitar_dadfad.htm). *Flutopedia*. Retrieved 2011-11-28.

1. *Creed – Human Clay: Authentic Guitar Tab*. [Alfred](/source/Alfred_Music). 2008. ISBN 978-0-7390-5404-8.

1. *Creed – Weathered: Authentic Guitar Tab*. [Alfred](/source/Alfred_Music). 2008. ISBN 978-0739054055.

1. *Alter Bridge – One Day Remains (Guitar Recorded Versions)*. Milwaukee, WI: [Hal Leonard](/source/Hal_Leonard_LLC). 2004. ISBN 9780634091445.

1. Guitar World (29 June 2011). ["Mark Tremonti: "Ghost of Days Gone By" Lesson (Part 1)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WPhMxneTQY). *YouTube*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8WPhMxneTQY) 2021-12-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 February 2021.

1. *Alter Bridge – AB III (Guitar Recorded Versions)*. [Hal Leonard](/source/Hal_Leonard_LLC). 2011. ISBN 978-1617804885.

1. *Alter Bridge – Fortress (The Sound and the Story)*. [Hal Leonard](/source/Hal_Leonard_LLC). 2014. ISBN 978-1480385450.

1. *Creed – Full Circle (Authentic Guitar Tab Editions)*. [Alfred](/source/Alfred_Music). 2010. ISBN 978-0739067086.

1. ["Stephen Stills - 4+20 | Guitar Lesson, Tab & Chords | Jerry's Guitar Bar"](https://www.jerrysguitarbar.com/guitar-video-lessons/individual-songs/stephen-stills-4-20/). Retrieved 2020-05-07.

1. [Dave Wakeling tuning his guitar on 94.9 FM.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTWChIJxOiY) Accessed 2010-04-15.

1. [Stone Gossard plays Let the Records Play](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTwR1Ak3uq0) Accessed 2013-10-19.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Open D tuning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_D_tuning) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_D_tuning?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.