Featured Tuning: Open D

Open D tunes the guitar to a D major chord: D A D F# A D. Strum all strings open and you get a rich D major—perfect for slide, drones, and fresh chord shapes. This page is a compact field guide for pros, serious students, and new explorers alike.

Tune in TuneTheory

1. Open the Instrument tuner.
2. Tap Tuning Library → Guitar → Open → Open D.
3. Tune each string to D2, A2, D3, F#3, A3, D4. Green means you’re in.

Interval Map

From low (6) to high (1): D(1), A(5), D(1), F#(3), A(5), D(1). You’re holding a stacked I–V–I–3–5–1. That symmetry is why drones and movable barres feel so good.

History & Origins

Open D is often associated with the traditional tune “Vestapol,” hence one of its historical names. Blues and slide players popularized Open D (and its whole‑step variant Open E) through the 20th century; modern fingerstyle revived it for drones and rich harmony.

Genres & Artists

• Delta/Chicago blues and slide guitar (Open D / Open E)
• Modern fingerstyle and acoustic instrumentalists
• Songwriters using alternate tunings to unlock new voicings

Notable names who use Open D/E among many tunings: Elmore James, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, Ben Howard, John Butler.

Songs to Learn

• Vestapol (traditional) — the archetypal open D piece
• She Talks to Angels (The Black Crowes) — Open E; play in Open D with capo 2
• Statesboro Blues (Blind Willie McTell / The Allman Brothers) — Open E; transpose to Open D
• Dust My Broom (Elmore James) — classic slide vocabulary (Open D/E)

Slide & Voicing Tips

• Let 1st and 6th strings drone against triads on the top set for huge harmony.
• For minor without losing the barre: drop the 3rd string one fret relative to the bar.
• Voice‑lead by moving only the top triad while keeping bass drones steady.

Interactive Chord Charts

Explore hundreds of curated grips with Roman numerals, filters, and note‑degree overlays.

Open D Chord Charts →

Listen & Learn

Curated reference reading and song lists to dive deeper:

• 50 Popular Songs in Open D (tabs and context)
• Stringjoy’s Open D primer (tuning, shapes, usage)
• Contemporary guitarists using open tunings

Setup & Practice Tips

• For slide, try slightly heavier strings and a touch higher action; keep bar pressure light.
• Drone the 6th/1st strings while moving top‑string triads for cinematic harmony.
• Build a 20‑minute session: 5‑min drones, 10‑min I–IV–V variations, 5‑min melody/slide.

Want more tunings? Try Open C, DADGAD, or Open G in the Tuning Library—each has its own vibe. We’ll keep adding Featured Tunings—come back for fresh sets.