FretPitch

E B E G♯ B E

Open E Tuning

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Ready when you are

The tuner listens through your microphone.

    Choose a tuning

      An E major chord on the open strings — a bright slide-guitar tone, with some strings tuned up instead of down.

      Press Start tuning, pluck a string and turn its peg until the needle is centred and green. The tuner already knows the Open E notes, so it tells you which string you are tuning.

      Open E notes and frequencies

      From the thickest string to the thinnest, and how far each one moves from standard tuning:

      StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
      6th (thickest)E282.41 HzNo change
      5thB2123.47 HzUp 2 semitones (a whole step)
      4thE3164.81 HzUp 2 semitones (a whole step)
      3rdG♯3207.65 HzUp 1 semitone (a half step)
      2ndB3246.94 HzNo change
      1st (thinnest)E4329.63 HzNo change

      About Open E

      Open E — E B E G♯ B E — has the same intervals as Open D, a whole step higher. Unlike most alternate tunings, three strings go up from standard: the 5th (A → B) and 4th (D → E) rise a whole step and the 3rd (G → G♯) rises a half step.

      The extra tension gives a bright, punchy tone that works well for slide — Duane Allman’s slide playing is a famous example.

      Tips

      • Raise strings slowly and stop at the target; tuning a string far above its usual pitch can break it.
      • If you switch often, consider Open D with a capo on the 2nd fret instead — the same sound with less tension.

      Other tunings

      See all tunings →