Easy Chords in Open D Tuning - Altered Tuning Guitar Lesson

Here is an easy yet incredibly effective way to create some beautiful sounding chord progressions using Open D Tuning. Open D tuning (also named D vestapol tuning) is one of the first altered tunings (i.e. anything other than standard tuning) that I like to present to my students. Another key tuning is Drop D, which you can find out more about in my lesson (link below):
Drop D Guitar Lesson - • How to play Guitar in ...
Open D has us tuning some of the guitar strings lower so that the sound of the open strings is a D major chord (hence the name open D).
A D major chord contains a D, F#, and A. On that basis we tune the guitar strings in the following way:
6(E): D
5(A): A
4(D): D
3(G): F#
2(B): A
1(E): D
This tuning is preferable to open E tuning which would require strings 5, 4 and 3 to be tuned higher (at the risk of breaking strings!)
There are a lot of possibilities with this tuning but I wanted to present an approach using only two chord grips. We will be using diatonic chords in the key of D major. Each chord shape references its root note on string 6 which will be fretted with finger 2 and another finger (either 1 or 3) will grab the corresponding 3rd of the given chord on string 3. In the case of a major chord (the I, IV, and V chords) there will be a major third in the same fret as the root note. For a minor or diminished chord (the ii, iii, vi, and viib5) there is a minor third one fret lower than the root note.
Major Third Interval Lesson - • Learn Fretboard Shapes...
Minor Third Interval Lesson - • The minor third interv...
Fretting just two notes gives some beautiful colour to otherwise standard diatonic chords.
★ FREE Fretboard Mastery eBook: bit.ly/3G0Gco9 ★
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WHO AM I?
Hey! I’m Ry Naylor, a British-born guitar instructor and professional transcriber based in the south of France.
You’ll find loads of song lessons in my archives, but my focus more recently has been to share my passion for the benefits of music theory when learning guitar in a fun, visual and accessible way. You will find more instructional content on my Instagram and Pinterest pages. If you like what I do please help support my work on Patreon or check out my premium guitar video courses in my online school.
MY WEBSITE: rynaylorguitar.com

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Hey guys. You can support my work, get patron-only PDFs and tabs and help curate my future content at patreon.com/rynaylorguitar 🙏🏻

[@alliemiddleton8764]

thanks man

[@SketchingRocks]

I would like to see !o more on open D

[@johnsmallshaw9401]

Very cool, we are playing an old spiritual at church this Sunday in D, this was a big help.

[@nicossyrimis8323]

Thats a great lessins very clear and helpfull. Thanks a lot!!!

[@user-jz6jc2xy9n]

This is what i ve been lookin for... so long thanks my friend

[@Rynaylorguitar]

You’re welcome.

[@birdie399]

That guitar sounds sweet and mellow. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@leroyward5410]

WOW, super lesson, Loved the ease at which you explain it all out. Safe journey through life young man.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks LeRoy!

[@desolatesoul2304]

AMAZING@ THANK YOU SO MUCH! PERFECT EXPLAINING.

[@deanegel3190]

Well done!

[@Hickmann]

Such a well-made, inspiring tutorial. Thank you very much!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@Electric597]

this tutorial explained everything perfect for me! thank you so much!!!!!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

You're so welcome! Glad it helped.

[@Deenowze]

That was extremely helpful!Thank you!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@JimSnedekerMusic]

wow! Very helpful! Love the rich tonal varieties possible !!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks Jim 🙏🏻

[@joedoe4845]

Thankyou. Good lesson

[@joncasida-sn1on]

Nice and easy to follow. Already have some ideas flowing.

[@felipebueno2690]

Muito Obrigado pela Aula. Foi Esclarecedor.

[@elijuarez7921]

Simple and inspiring. I now realized how many musicians utilized this tuning. Especially Billy Idol.

[@SketchingRocks]

EXCELLENT nice and easy to follow.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Great to hear 👍🏻

[@grantperkins368]

nice one! cheers!

[@gordonbuss3981]

So helpful thanks.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

You're welcome!

[@govoli1922]

great video , thank you

[@Rynaylorguitar]

You are welcome!

[@jamesmonahan1870]

JOANN OPEN TUNING (C)2006 was recorded with open D tuning.

[@grahamrodger372]

Excellent.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks Graham.

[@leericemusic]

You inspired a new song. Thanks a lot :)

[@Rynaylorguitar]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@stringologymchugh4245]

Nice, clear, and well made. Tnx

[@Rynaylorguitar]

You're welcome!

[@loz5854]

Thank you.

[@dmytro_kos]

Thank you so much! So easy and helpfull

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@user-pr9vf2gw5t]

thank you.nice

[@micah3823]

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VIDEOS!!!!! VERY INFORMATIVE......THANKS!!!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@JoyRamin]

Thank,s so much... amazing, I Love it....

[@billbelk7250]

Thanks!

[@GaryBook]

Excellent intro lesson. I appreciate the music theory explanation being a student of music theory. It made it easy to follow.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for your comment Gary. If you like my approach I have a theory course coming very soon!

[@blueny2]

Ry Naylor Guitar I put a lot of time into learning theory. I play piano and other fretted instruments and theory was critical to my learning the other instruments. I always think in terms of chord structure and keys and intervals and you cannot do that without theory. In the past three months I started learning alternative open tunings, open G, D and E. Because I know theory it was easy. I think in terms of chord structure from major to minors, etc. and scales. My next tuning adventure will be DADGAD which is used in Celtic music. I basically think open D with third moved to Suspended 4. In open G Keith Richards tuning I think in terms of adding suspended chords by using the B and G strings or Root chord to Fourth by barring and adding C chord shape. On open D and open E I use the same shapes but I just shift it up a string. Instead of putting chord on B and D string in open G, I put it on G string and A string. I play the dulcimer and the open guitar tunings give you that module sound. You can also just bar across and you get a purer sound. It also makes slide guitar playing easier. Your video was very helpful and the explanation using theory enabled me to grasp it in real time. I use the Nashville Numbering system to quickly absorb songs. Thanks. Gary.

[@tyrmyrmidon2846]

Whereas I am NOT a student of music theory so I had virtually no idea what he was talking about lol

[@GaryBook]

Tyr, there are some terrific videos on music theory, they will change your musical life. You will learn the circle of fifths, the what a key is, the relationship between the notes that make up a mode or scale. You will learn the I IV V as major chords and ii iii and vi as minors with the vii as diminished. This will help you when you know the key, you will know the chords and how to play the scales for solos. Invest the time and you will be greatly rewarded. It is similar to learning the alphabet, noun, verb, etc, structure of language; it will give you the context for understanding music.

[@TheWolke0707]

Top Video. Thanks a lot.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for watching

[@msherer260]

Because regular tuning is so well known the open D tuning can make just strumming chords sound like your really doing something with that guitar, like someone said the Bee Gees (Berry) used open D in many of their songs and if you listen his strumming chords were a big part of the arrangement even with huge orchestra on top. Others used this tuning like Donovan, wonder why when you play "Colors" you cannot get it to sound like the record, open D picking around the chords..

[@FBAV]

Yeah good one, interesting. I suspect both Barry and Donovan are using an even different open-D type tuning. Lemme say once what I do; DADAF#D, with a 3th G string on position of 5th string. Which can cause trouble cause the gaps are too wide. So you gotta fix that, but then at least I play about every possible song. Especially BeeGees and Donovan.... Inventiveness and creativity required but at least to me it just works

[@wanattasuksa-nguansiri1218]

Thanks

[@dhrecxzeusescobar9274]

Very Nice ❤️❤️❤️

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks 🤗

[@claudio.fons58]

Accordatura spesso utilizzata dalla splendida JONI MITCHELL. Grazie mille per il tuo contributo. Un saluto dall'Italia 🙏

[@MisterstereoOso]

Thumbs up & subbed 👍thanks mate, I can play one song so far on with dropped D, but this Dadf’shad tuning ( which I’d heard about) is a revelation !! Love your no fuss,easy going approach, I hope your life is blessed with good fortune 🙏 cheers

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@rocketcityauction]

Very nice. I play in drop D some but will definitely be putting this in the pack. I know some chord theory so this was easy for me to comprehend but I think you made it very palpable for a beginner. I believe Barry Gibb played in open D most of the time, if I'm not mistaken.

[@500sureshot]

Hey friend- you can bet he helped me !!! I learned more in this 10 minute video than I have in the last 2 months….. I’m an old man trying to learn how to play!!! Good Luck to you ‼️‼️‼️

[@daveslastchance]

just realized that Barry Gibb (Bee Gees) uses this tuning on most songs.

[@riobluetube]

He used all major chords on most songs.

[@jamesmonahan1870]

GOODBYE (C)2006 was recorded in open D tuning.

[@ericksegura478]

muy bueno

[@johnhuwroberts7766]

Excellent. I really enjoyed that. I’ve been using G sharp but will give F sharp a try, too. Very well presented. Nice and relaxed.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@SmokeyFord]

How do you record the sound of the guitar is amazing

[@jamesmonahan1870]

Wonderful video. I am your newest subscriber. 😊

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks and welcome

[@marlanaferguson4287]

Saving my worries for after all my notes in learning since I was about 13 years old I got to pick-up a guitar and try and encourage my family (Fathers hobby) our family of 13 aunt and uncles a couple of them play still even for ceremonies in our small towns up East of North Olympia Washington, very nice to meet you and thank you very much. MF~:D

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks for stopping by 🙏🏻

[@Stray1One]

Cheers man, I’ve no choice,I subbed, Stray1 Britain’s best Unknown stuntman that never was,

[@frookfrook5947]

DADF! Ukulele video I made, love to see help on chord shapes there.

[@rufuspaul8326]

Thanks you for the lesson . Are you using a processor !! I really like the output , can you say how you are bring that output.

[@edwincorvera1156]

Idek how to play on standard tuning let me step back a little, i'll comr back sometime 😅

[@ysodim]

Hey man, don't stress about it. Learning a new tuning is essentially the same as learning guitar from beginner level again anyway xD

[@edwincorvera1156]

@@ysodim haha i'm stuck on bar chords they hurt my fingers, any tips?

[@uteroofficial3146]

@@edwincorvera1156 practice practice practice my dude

[@mikhaelmortimer5858]

@edwincorvera1156 So how far have you come along in 3 years

[@sleepswithnopillow8413]

Some man

[@Lukehunter990]

Was wondering if you can do a tutorial on Here we are by Brvthr if ya can :)

[@Billsingsong]

There are a lot of nice popular hits from the Bee Gees, namely Barry Gibb, who plays the songs and open D tuning. There are people who played the songs on KZbin, but don’t explain the chords they are making or the one-finger chord. Be nice if you could explain how the cords are being made on those open D tuning BGee songs

[@raylamparelli5582]

Just found you and glad I did. Great lesson. I had a bunch of questions but I'll start with just one for now. Does going from standard tuning to D tuning and back to standard mess up your strings? Thanks in advance and keep up the great work.

[@misterroberts4240]

it weakens the strings, especially the high E string, which will eventually break. Best is to have a seperate guitar for open D all the time. You can then tune to open G since the high E stays tuned down to the D note.

[@nickk9799]

Hello i have a question. So i love to sing but my voice cant reach those high notes most of the songs that im playing with my guitar. So i did a bit of search online and i found out that if i can lower the tuning of my guitar im able to play open chords without transposing them with difficult fingerings and positions. I ve tried to lower to standard D but i want to try to lower it a bit more. Though i think it doesnt sound normal when im doing it. Any tips for that issue im currently have ? i ve been transposing during my entire life but its so difficult to play the chords.... With the drop D option i think that doesnt work because im just changing a single string not the entire guitar tuning.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

My recommendation would be to transpose using the capo. That way you can lower the key as much as you like. It will result in different chord shapes but, using the capo, you should be able to keep it in a 'friendly' key. I did a video on transposing using the capo that you can check out here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2amqY2di9J6j6c

[@alejandrocisneros7442]

Capo

[@faresoros07]

Amazing lesson. I had to subscribed!!! 👍🏼

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@markwright3791]

The a is open on the ground chord...also do in the a chord with out modifying shape..?.

[@markwright3791]

Meant the g chord

[@motopazury]

👍

[@kroekadoke8212]

How about open d minor with slide?

[@KieraQ0323]

Tune the F# to an F.

[@Billsingsong]

How do you make an a minor in open D

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Change the F# to F

[@jordannorton7061]

open d chuning

[@stevethebassman9740]

Did you say open G tuning? 8:45 funny, Thanks for a informative video.

[@MrJockmcp]

1

[@joakimwarming1351]

So basically a holland road tutorial from mumford and sons?

[@aketil]

This is an excellent example of clarity of the chord fingering and notes required but do you have to insult my intelligence by painstakingly demonstrating how to retune the guitar. The clue is in the title.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

I SEE what you mean ---G-add 9 with open strings and A add 11 ---do sound rather nicer than dreary old barre G and A chords

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Too entangled --why not simply barre on 3 ,5 , 7 ,9 major chords in open D tuning---why 2 fingers?

[@Rynaylorguitar]

To my ear the chords sound richer when you keep the open strings rather than the same chord up and down the neck with the barre finger. Do what sounds best to you 🙏🏻

[@no_trespassin]

The way you explain things gives me anxiety

[@Jpetersson]

Naylor? I hardly touched her! :-D

[@Balthazar2242]

You put the watermark right in front of where most people will be looking

[@blackmonster4708]

this is Drop D, not Open D tho.

[@jjnormant]

They all sound the same and muddy.

[@aldirteodoziodasilva7252]

Thanks

[@asparagusmelontoast]

Thanks

[@Rynaylorguitar]

No problem