Open E tuning
Encyclopedia
Open E tuning is a tuning
for guitar.
low-high; E-B-E-G-B-E
Compared to standard tuning, two strings are two semitones higher and one string is one semitone higher. The intervals are identical to those found in open D tuning
.
Probably one of the most familiar examples of Open E tuning is the beginning guitar part on the song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones
. This tuning is also used in Guns N' Roses
' "It's So Easy
," The Black Crowes
' "She Talks to Angels", Glen Hansard's "Say It To Me Now" and many others.
Open E tuning is often used for slide guitar, as it constitutes an open chord
which can be raised by moving the slide further up the next. Famous guitarists who use this tuning include Joe Walsh (in "Rocky Mountain Way"), Billy F. Gibbons (in "Just Got Paid") and Johnny Marr (in "The Headmaster Ritual"). Open E tuning also lends itself to easy bar-chording as heard in these songs and many others.
1980s session guitarist David Persons experimented by using multiple tunings in the same recordings, and he pioneered several revolutionary tuning techniques, including using standard six string and open tuning together (for instance, standard tuning playing in E major and Open E tuning) which produced, due to the natural intervals involved, complementary counterpoints which produced unique harmonies and dissonance. This can be heard on several of his early recordings.
Guitar tunings
Guitar tunings almost always refers to the pitch of the open string, though some tunings may only realistically be attained by the use of a capo on an unmodified instrument....
for guitar.
low-high; E-B-E-G-B-E
Compared to standard tuning, two strings are two semitones higher and one string is one semitone higher. The intervals are identical to those found in open D tuning
Open D tuning
Open D tuning is an open tuning for the acoustic or electric guitar. The open string notes in this tuning are: D A D F♯ A D. It uses the three notes that form the triad of a D major chord: D, the root note; A, the perfect fifth; and F♯, the major third...
.
Probably one of the most familiar examples of Open E tuning is the beginning guitar part on the song "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. This tuning is also used in Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
' "It's So Easy
It's So Easy
-Personnel:* Axl Rose - lead vocals* Izzy Stradlin - rhythm guitar, backing vocals* Slash - lead guitar* Duff McKagan - bass, backing vocals* Steven Adler - drums-Cover versions:...
," The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes
The Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
' "She Talks to Angels", Glen Hansard's "Say It To Me Now" and many others.
Open E tuning is often used for slide guitar, as it constitutes an open chord
Open chord
In music, especially guitar, an open chord is a chord that is not fingered and fretted, the opposite of a barre chord, the strings of which ring, or sound, freely and fully....
which can be raised by moving the slide further up the next. Famous guitarists who use this tuning include Joe Walsh (in "Rocky Mountain Way"), Billy F. Gibbons (in "Just Got Paid") and Johnny Marr (in "The Headmaster Ritual"). Open E tuning also lends itself to easy bar-chording as heard in these songs and many others.
1980s session guitarist David Persons experimented by using multiple tunings in the same recordings, and he pioneered several revolutionary tuning techniques, including using standard six string and open tuning together (for instance, standard tuning playing in E major and Open E tuning) which produced, due to the natural intervals involved, complementary counterpoints which produced unique harmonies and dissonance. This can be heard on several of his early recordings.