Open G Tuning
WHILE KEITH RICHARDS MAY BE CONTENT WITH FIVE-STRING OPEN G-TUNED LICKS, HE’S MISSING OUT ON THAT SIXTH STRING GOODNESS.
EXAMPLE #1
We can view this chord in a couple of ways. Taking the open fifth (G) as our root, we might view the E on the fourth string as the sixth and the C on the second string as a sus4, giving G6sus4. You could also look at the C major triad of E, G and C on the fourth, third and second strings and say this is a Cadd2/G. Both are correct!
Open G, one of the most popular and widely used open tunings, is particularly associated with Keith Richards who used it on a number of tracks, including “Honky Tonk Women” and “Start Me Up”. It retains the core of standard tuning on the second, third and fourth strings (D, G and B) but both high and low E strings are dropped a tone to D. The fifth/A string is also lowered to G, making it the root note of most shapes – so much so that Keith Richards stopped bothering at all with the sixth string
EXAMPLE #2
Changing the root to an A changes how we see and hear the chord; it is now a clear case of Amin 11! The open first (D) string at the top gives an open quality to the whole chord, which is pretty much impossible in standard tuning. Like Example #1, this is moveable, so experiment.
EXAMPLE #3
One of the full six-string chords available is this distinctive voicing of Bmin7 (root on the sixth string). Try moving this to different positions (including open) while strumming and you’ll start get an inkling of how the riff from Jeff Buckley’s Last Goodbye came about. Hint: F#min7, Amin7, Emin7 and Bmin7... on the guitars he keeps in this tuning!
However, there are some fantastic chords available using the sixth string for more fingerstyle/folky areas, and these take into consideration such players as Robert Johnson,
Gram Parsons, Jimmy Page and Jeff Buckley who used all six strings. On both the electric and acoustic guitar, this open G tuning offers potential for a country/blues feel and surprisingly complex extended voicings, without undue strain on the hands. What’s not to like?
EXAMPLE #4
Here is a very complex sounding Emin9. It is almost two chords in one, with the Emin9 being spelled out by the lower three strings (E, B, F#) and a G major triad superimposed on top (G, B, D). It’s worth trying other positions, too; some may not be as lovely as this, but there are some interesting options!
EXAMPLE #5
This Cadd9 chord makes use of the open first and third strings, with the root on the sixth. Try moving it up or down for some different ideas and Steve Howe-type voicings, bearing in mind that the relationship between the open and fretted strings shifts every time you do.