Why Start With Open G?

Most beginner courses start in standard tuning, which can feel slow and frustrating. Open G tuning lets you get a big, full chord just by strumming the open strings. With one finger straight across the neck, you can move that chord up and down and it still sounds great.

Open G is used in blues, rock, folk, and slide guitar by bands like the Rolling Stones and the Black Crowes. It’s a fun way to start because you hear “real music” right away.

What Is Open G Tuning?

The strings are tuned to a G major chord:

D – G – D – G – B – D (from lowest to highest string)

• 6th string: D
• 5th string: G
• 4th string: D
• 3rd string: G
• 2nd string: B
• 1st string: D

Strumming all the open strings gives you a full G chord. Any straight barre across all strings at a fret becomes another major chord.

How to Tune from Standard to Open G

Start in standard tuning: E A D G B E. Then change only three strings:

• 6th string: E → D (tune down a whole step)
• 5th string: A → G (tune down a whole step)
• 1st string: E → D (tune down a whole step)

The middle strings stay the same:

• 4th string: D (no change)
• 3rd string: G (no change)
• 2nd string: B (no change)

Use a tuner and go slowly. Always tune up to the note when you can (if you go too low, come back up to pitch).

Your First Chord – Open G

Once you’re in Open G, simply strum all six open strings. That sound you hear is a full G major chord: big, rich, and ready to make music.

One-Finger Bar Chords in Open G

Now place one finger straight across all the strings. This is called a barre. In Open G, any straight barre creates a major chord.

• Open strings (0 fret) – G major
• 5th fret – C major
• 7th fret – D major
• 12th fret – G major (one octave higher)

Try lightly barring with your index finger across all the strings at the 5th fret, then the 7th fret, then back to open. Even with just one finger you’ll hear real chord changes.

Your First Easy Song Progression

Use this simple four-chord loop:

• G (open strings) – 4 beats
• C (5th fret barre) – 4 beats
• D (7th fret barre) – 4 beats
• C (5th fret barre) – 4 beats

Repeat that pattern and you’ve got a very simple “song shape.”

Suggested Strumming Patterns

• All downstrokes: 1 2 3 4
• Down & up: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
• Pop/rock feel: D D U U D U (from Lesson 4)

Simple Picking Pattern in Open G

Try this picking idea on the open G chord:

• Pluck 6th string
• Then 4th string
• Then 3rd string
• Then 2nd string
• Then 1st string
• Then strum all the strings

Move the same pattern to the 5th and 7th fret barres to hear how the chord changes but the pattern stays easy.

Optional: Slide-Style Sound

If you have a slide (glass or metal), you can lightly rest it on the strings instead of pressing all the way down:

• Slide from 2nd fret up to 5th fret, then to 7th fret.
• Keep the pressure light and let the notes ring together.
• Experiment with slow slides and vibrato.

Practice Goals for Lesson 0

• Tune your guitar accurately to Open G using a tuner.
• Strum the open strings and recognize the sound of a G chord.
• Play one-finger bar chords at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets.
• Play the simple G–C–D–C progression in time with a basic strum.

Downloadable PDF Notes

Download Lesson 0 – Open G Tuning & One-Finger Song (PDF)

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