All About Drop D, Double Drop D, Open G, and Open D

🎸 Learn how to get to and use Drop D, Double Drop D, Open G, and Open D tunings on the guitar. This lesson will answer all your questions about open tuning on the guitar, and why you shouldn't be afraid of them! Also - get a list of the songs you should try in each of these tunings! 👉 Free Guitar Course: www.justinguitar.com/grade-3 #justinguitar #guitarforbeginners #guitarlessons
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👉 Video Chapters
00:00 Altered Tuning Basics
01:18 Drop D Tuning
06:03 5 Songs in Drop D
06:54 Double Drop D Tuning
11:18 5 Songs in Double Drop D
12:39 Open G Tuning
16:24 5 Songs in Open G
17:34 Extra: Open A Tuning
18:15 Open D & Open E Tunings
21:39 5 Songs in Open D
22:45 Extra Tips for Getting Started!
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[@justinguitar]

*Learn more, get diagrams, and check out my tutorials for these altered tuning songs here:* www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/open-tuning-basics-bg-1802

[@pame.1211]

Thank you so much! My son tuned this way a lot. Love the sound!

[@justinguitar]

Thanks for sharing! :)

[@arrondaniels358]

Justin, I know you get this allot, but what kind of guitar is that you are playing? Sounds fantastic. ;-) Thanks!

[@jackc70]

Can I please have one of the guitars you have hanging up? Thank you. It doesn’t hurt to ask. If I didn’t ask I would never get it. But you never know, right? Electric ones are nice. Lol. Please autograph to Jake

[@danbgt]

As a senior citizen when I started playing guitar I actually started from the very beginning playing fingerstyle in open C. It was a Godsend. I play some in open D. Almost nothing in “standard” tuning. Hey! I’m old. I don’t have years to learn a bunch of stuff! 😂

[@lefty5757]

Hi Dan, I started playing late also… finger style. 🎸

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Hand Up! another Senior here. How I wish I had learned these Open Tunings a bit sooner. I was SHOCKED when I "braved" an Open D Tuning, started "finger picking" around & Holy Heck! I suddenly felt like a Guitar Player, even just Noodling around! I'm a Lucky Stiff with 2 Guitars & leave one always in Open D Tuning. Now considering taking my other one in Standard on another Adventurous Tuning! Happy to read your Comment & know I"m on the right Path! Wishing you continued Success !

[@danbgt]

@@dharmaofdog7676 A few months ago I decided that I needed to actually learn guitar. So I backed up, put a guitar in “standard” tuning and started over. It was no fun. It didn’t last long. I am lucky to have more than one guitar also. I have my main guitar in open C, one in open D and one in open G. I’ll just stick with those. It’s fun. People actually believe I know how to play guitar! 😂😂

[@brianedwards3109]

Man my guitar teacher was a raw by the ear guy...but could never figure out going to california. I know why now. He knew nothing of the double drop d. I did but didn't know that's what that song was recorded in. Now I know thanks to you.. God bless ya mark...r.i.p.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Dylans Masterpiece Album, 'Blood on the Tracks' is famously all done in open D, and is an example of what a genuine musician can do with in open D and where I personally learnt the most about the sound of the guitar in this tuning

[@CG92965]

Absolutely loved this video! You have been inspiring me for years, Justin, throughout my guitar journey and I am always trying to make that nex step into singing while I strum and mix in some lead riffs and this video - like all your videos - is a big help and very motivational! You bring such good vibes and positivity to everything you do. Your voice is beautiful by the way! fits your positive, honest, mindset perfectly and it's always so helpful to hear you sing along. Thank you for all you do!

[@BillLowenburg]

Thanks! Tunings create a beautiful sound and I’m going to experiment more with them as a result of this lesson. Keep up the great work, Justin!

[@SiggyMe]

Justin this was methodically laid out making it easy to take alternate tunings tour. My tour progress out of the last one it made it easier to pick up. Thanks!

[@johnmacmillan627]

Very clear as are all your lessons. Thx

[@Kupcho58]

Thank you for the well done video. I especially enjoyed that you listed songs that used the different tunings. I've been playing guitar for over 50 years, and only recently (4~5 years) started using any non standard tuning. I can say that I'm really enjoying playing again, it's opened up whole new world for me. I highly recommend it for anyone that enjoys playing a guitar, but I think that it would work especially well for new players. It would be encouraging; playing things that sound nice would be much easier, and you'll enjoy playing more. Also, you'd get use to using tuning changes from the beginning so you wouldn't be confined to thinking in standard tuning only, like I was for a long time.

[@dylanmccoubrey5615]

Great lesson, waited a long time for someone to do a lesson that was easy to understand and show how to form chords in the different tunings.

[@thesamsquatch2704]

This one is awesome; thanks for introducing me to some of these tunings. It’s got my excited to pick up my guitar, which is always a good thing 😁.

[@paulkyle]

Great as always

[@eduardotrillo3519]

thanks Justin! ❤

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you for this incredibly Informative & jam packed Video. No more hunting around trying to find "This" Tuning or "That" one & not to mention those graphsThey are all right here - neatly explained & easily in an Order that not only increases the ease of changing the Tunings, but in a way that I will also remember. ! Thank you!

[@waygone6657]

This is great, a lot more than I was looking for. I stopped by to learn the difference is between drop D and open D and got so much more. A few weeks ago I bought a used steel string acoustic with a really high action on it for experimenting with alternate tuning and slide. Thanks 😊

[@lakshyadheer]

Such a great lesson, mate! Finally excited to use my metal slide!! Get well soon! Xx

[@dickwilliam3793]

arthritis put a stop to my guitar playing until i tried open d, i can play just about any song with it now, opened up a whole new world for me.

[@exquisiteoath]

Great video Justin, and a great reminder that open tunings are a wonderful way to bust out of a rut... they just change the instrument enough to force new ideas.

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

Thanks Justin I will now try this more! awesome video 👍😎🎸🤟🙏

[@pame.1211]

Very cool on the power chords!

[@drewdietz2115]

Fantastic lesson Justin; I got a used Epiphone les Paul just for learning slide. Thanks for the ideas, I enjoy this guitar journey and all its variations.

[@phoenixrice]

I’m excited for the your body is a wonderland lesson!

[@mutangpadan5311]

Thanks Justin. Today I’ve learnt the different variations (?) of open tuning from you. In fact, since I came to know about this (and the Banjo G tuning) I’ve tuned all my 3 guitars to open tunings. Enjoying this a lot more at 61. 🙏🏽

[@wadepatton2433]

I always shied away from open tunings, mostly because I never had this lesson. Thanks Justin. Another old stringbender learning more stuff.

[@TaskMaster619]

Can’t wait for the Devils & Dust lesson!

[@smiggy1968]

The best bit about alternative tunings is that keys players can't replicate them and just have to look on enviously. I love it!

[@twofingerspirits1479]

Great lesson. Thank you!

[@CrimeDefender]

Very well done, very well done indeed.👏

[@connerburns3551]

Thank you so much Justin. Fantastic lesson and an inspiration.

[@justinguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@ElrohirGuitar]

Good luck with your little finger. I've broken mine and also dislocated it. I found playing, after it heals a bit, really regains your flexibility and strength in that finger as a good exercise.

[@papatoo3538]

Thanks!

[@justinguitar]

You're very welcome! Your support is much appreciated. Cheers :)

[@HoneyTone-TheSearchContinues]

Nice lesson, especially showing the progression of alternate tunings and how they relate to each other. Tip: for open G tuning - Keith Richards favorite - I like to make an instant 5-string by pulling the 6th string out of its nut slot and just laying it along the neck. I don’t have to be concerned about deadening it with a spare finger of my fretting hand and it provides a percussive sound if my pick hits it. Carry on.

[@alansimpson8962]

Thank you i not skeered no more about altered tunings

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

Drop D has become my default tuning for acoustic. My guild F40 is amazing for that, and my new Eastmann E1-OM does this tuning justice as well. I've concluded I prefer mahogany over rosewwod for that tuning. I don't use alt tunings more due to just laziness. Even drop d can slightly alter the tension of the other strings, so check the guitar before you launch into a song.

[@MashaT22]

Open E for “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes is heavenly. That was my first real attempt at using an alt tuning about a year into playing. (I’m 2.5 years in now). Everyone needs to try a modified version of this song as a first attempt. The strumming parts are super easy and sound great playing along to the original recording.

[@crowhaven200]

You are a phenomenal teacher.. Thank you sir.

[@justinguitar]

You are most welcome. :)

[@patrickmaher4944]

Thanks Justin for this. Such great timing to come across this lesson as I am trying to learn to play Jeff Buckley’s Last Goodbye which is played in Open G. And it will be great if you can add this song for future lesson. Lovely song but it has been a challenge to learn to play. Thanking in advance.

[@mmfox65]

Marra. Cracking video a real eye opener. Just a quick one, been learning She Talks to Angels in open E. Sounds spot on to the recording but you've mentioned it in open D. Did I miss something lol Cheers Martin

[@AndyInTheUK]

You are an inspiration, Justin. I love a bit of Rolling Stones and you taught me how to do Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits. I did a youtube video on getting that sound with completely wrong gear, just for fun. My new target ... Yellow by Coldplay. Then I will try out some drop D songs. Thanks!

[@doegywhail728]

There are a few songs that I like that are in different open tunings. Just sods up the flow for acoustic gigs keep changing, so I would have to pick and choose.

[@nwolf9591]

This lesson certainly took some of the hesitation I have for alternate tunings. Thanks!

[@justinguitar]

Great to hear :)

[@worldwide1376]

Great explanation and demonstration. Sorry to hear about 'little pinky', hope it's a quick recovery.

[@nigelwilliams3311]

I started with Open Tunings when I snapped the tendon over the top of my 2nd finger of my fretting hand (mallet finger). I had to have it strapped dead straight for nearly 3 months, and decided that the only way the carry on playing was to learn slide guitar. This led to various open tunings, and opened the door to Keith Richards' open G style, plus Open D and Open E, and Drop D. Recently been experimenting with Open C for Joni Mitchell's "Amelia". Just at the end you mentioned Open G with the 6th string tuned up to G - Rick Parfitt of Status Quo used that a lot - gives a real thump to the bottom end!

[@MartinBaldock]

I suffered a left hand injury many years ago, so discovering open tunings was a blessing, and one can experiment with them

[@pame.1211]

Hey love slide guitar! I so understand! I have a a deteriorating bone in my thumb that gives me some grief!

[@MartinBaldock]

@@pame.1211 I recently discovered 4 string Tenor guitars too, and with open tunings a whole new world opens up

[@waynejohnston7900]

Great lesson!!!!...Thank You...btw...Neil Young does "Goin' Back" in double drop D tuning from the "Comes a Time" lp.

[@Esse70R]

Now my chords are full... 🙏 Oh yes, Justin you ! 😉 Thank you, sir... 🔥

[@51skibum2]

Another great lesson with much information. A real rutbuster!! Thank you so much for what you do!

[@firattopal9185]

Dear Justin, I am a big fan of you, your personality, your channel and wisdom you reflect on us. I started learning to play guitar with your channel and you are still the only person that I am following to learn about this instrument, whenever I need. I wrote this on different platforms whenever I had the chance. When I am thankful about all these, I also like that you stayed away from these advertising, clickbait things for long years. And I think that thumbnail picture is one of them. I see so many guitar teachers putting so-called "interesting thumbnails" to make the things funnier, but that really keeps me away from their videos. For instance, that is the reason I stay away from videos of Paul Davids (and he is Dutch like me :) ), "5 things that shocked me about guitar" - Shocking face...."Hardest riff"...Struggling face...."Surprising guitar"....face with open mouth....really? It is a bit...sorry but...cringy.. You may call me grumpy and even jobless to write a long text about this small thing :)) but just wanted to say it....you, guitar and smiling face is for me enough :))

[@trilobitalbino]

Right there with you, my man. I want to believe this is coming from some stupid agent telling him to do stupid faces because this is a "trend" on KZbin. I really hope he doesn't keep it going.

[@nodgelyobo1]

Yea man, I can't stand those 'shock faced' thumbnails....'You have been playing the pentatonic scale wrong for all these years',...or "No need to learn the Caged System, you just need to know these 3 notes'....😅..Like you I keep away from these insincere clickbaiters...The thing is, is that they learned to play the pentatonic scale the old way, and they know the caged system back to front, but they are going to compromise your learning by showing you their useless shortcuts to mastery...and we all know there is no shortcut..

[@Ani3479]

I feel the same way, and left that as a comment haha, and also who will be honest about these things if not the Dutch ;) It's true those clickbaits put me off so badly I don't click on them. Since I know Justin will have good content nonetheless I clicked on it but it might not be the case always. Justin used to be a punk, it's kinda sad to me in all honesty. His guitar and his wholesomeness is more than enough.

[@500sureshot]

@@nodgelyobo1 - Hey the last 4 words in your comment are so TRUE ‼ It’s just PRACTICE- PRACTICE- PRACTICE……and…MORE PRACTICE ‼ Have a great Easter weekend- Richard

[@nodgelyobo1]

@@500sureshot Cheers man you too..

[@Alex_U]

Great lesson! Thank you, Justin! Will try open G and open D. What’s that side brand?

[@ronbussell467]

Justin, you just simplified and answered all my questions about these tunings. Thank you so much.

[@joennick1]

Brilliant! Bruce does lots of drop D acoustic stuff particularly acoustic stuff. Would love to see you do some of those. Devils & Dust would be great! Also the acoustic version of Born In The USA from the Madison Sq Garden DVD!

[@justinguitar]

Great suggestions! Request them here! www.justinguitar.com/songs#requests-board cheers :)

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Open tunings are magic. Listen to Fahey, Kottke, Bruce Cockburn.

[@neliort]

I love you!

[@chrisa3961]

"The End" by The Doors is also double drop D. And nobody did a real song lesson yet. not even Marty ;-)

[@williamocallaghan5504]

Love that song 🎸

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Good call.

[@jimbryant2157]

Thanks for the lesson! I have been a bit bored lately with my playing so this may be the jump start I need. Your guitar really came alive when you tuned to open A - very rich, clear sound. Question: What is the brand of your slide? I really like the open back design (a definitely plus for people like me with big knuckles). Thanks again!

[@incognito4354]

He never played anything in open A tuning

[@Beachbumartist]

Great video and Gold Dust Women for Double drop D

[@alastairmcloughlin2667]

Great vid Justin. Can I give a shout out for Gordon Giltrap's 'Heart Song' also in Open G....thanks! It's a great tune for acoustic players.

[@MrGmooney]

Good man yourself Justin,which tuning do you find the most useful your self? Any suggestions for stiff fingers and hand cramps in the fretting hand.?

[@michaelohagan6546]

Rain status quo is a other good one in open g with capo on the 2nd fret and mystery song as well

[@nodgelyobo1]

Your right, there is a fear with newbies about alternate tunings...Whenever I used to see a tutor asking me to change the tuning to drop D or similar I'd think.."Why don't these people learn to play this stuff with straight tunings?"....😄

[@kurtkuhtipp]

minute 20:40!therefore i like you Justin....it really doesn`t matter!

[@VulcanDriver1]

Open G is my favourite tuning.

[@twofingerspirits1479]

I would love a lesson for the gardener by the tallest Man on Earth!

[@Larry_Mott]

My favorite DADGAD tune is "Out on the western plain" by Rory Gallagher.

[@annelothian1]

And of course for us female singer/players.... The Queen of open tunings Joni!

[@williamocallaghan5504]

Justin if you don't mind what type strings do you use Thanks🎸

[@MartirosHakopianMarHak]

I like that slider .... What brand is that?

[@twofingerspirits1479]

I play most of blood on the tracks in open D with a capo on 2

[@dirkmertens6926]

Thank you, from Led Zeppelin is in open G.

[@theskidmarkoforion4829]

Alternative tunings for me really help when I’m in a rut with my playing. Thanks Justin. DADGAD Kashmir. All day long ✌️

[@lucasdeaver9192]

Alternate tunings wreak havoc on guitars with whammy bars because the changing of the string tension messes with the spring tension on the bridge.

[@TulsaMikeFloydd]

Donovan, you reminded me, uses drop D for “Colors etc.”

[@martinsaunders2186]

Grinning like an idiot! Great fun. Thanks.

[@45067daddymac]

I just drop the high E down to D, leaving the low E alone on my acoustic. that’s pretty much where i leave it now days.

[@lucasdeaver9192]

Most of the Rolling Stones and also The Black Crowes are in open G. I wish you had also done open E. The Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, Derek Trucks, ZZ Top use Open E a lot.

[@devilrocker3]

I thought I might incase anyone interested about the open g tuning there’s a variation where status quo guitarist Rick parfitt tuned the bottom string to g on songs like rain and hold you back just incase if people like the idea of using two bottom g strings instead on one

[@RedOakCrow]

Great video, what brand of guitar is that?

[@justinguitar]

Froggy Bottom M www.justinguitar.com/instruments/froggy-bottom-m Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@davidwalker41]

This may be the most consequential guitar video I've ever watched.

[@li0nhart4477]

It's amazing how changing your tunning can spice up your playing and the discovery of new ways to play. I only discovered alternate tunnings after getting into Alter Bridge as they use alternate tunnings alot like Open G, Drop D and Double Drop D etc and have created some epic songs using them like "Blackbird" and "Words Darker Than Their Wings" to name a few. I love the sound of open G myself best.

[@abdulazizrehan]

Can we play Wonderwall by Oasis with open tunings?

[@jackc70]

Can I please have one of the guitars you have hanging up? Thank you

[@einarnunya7249]

So, does this open the door for any Elliott Smith tunes that were written in open tunings? Independence Day comes to mind.

[@jeffjohnson5544]

Hi, Justin. So what is the chord on the first fret of the 6th string with drop D tuning? E??

[@michaeld.mahoney9106]

D# or Eb.

[@brownpunk1794]

thank you Justin..one thing that REALLY confuses me about these weird tunings.. my concern is then we need to relearn all the notes in terms of Chords and scales. example in a standard tuning I finger a C chord. Normally that would be notes C,E,G..but say its in Open G tuning these will be all different?. Can someone please explain if i'm overthinking it? Cheers

[@Joe-tx6vc]

No it won’t be different, C major scale will always be CDEFGAB, no matter what instrument/tuning you play it on. Major chords are the 1st, 3rd and 5th note in the scale, so it is still C, E and G. Your fingers will be placed on different frets to play this in a different tuning, but you are still playing the same notes

[@davedoubleddykhuizen]

Dropped D is an open tuning, now? Will wonders never cease...

[@talondavid9408]

What accoustic amp are you using Justin?

[@justinguitar]

Froggy Bottom M www.justinguitar.com/instruments/froggy-bottom-m Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher

[@trevorgwelch7412]

What guitar are you holding / Extremely Great Guitar Lessons 🎸🌟🏆✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@justinguitar]

It's a Froggy Bottom M - Grand Concert size. :)

[@annelothian1]

Can you recommend songs by female artists for drop D and double drop D too please?

[@freddysnightmare8391]

hi

[@rayclark9643]

I actually started playing open tuning with a steel guitar years ago😄

[@JimKernix]

Hey, did you get my email about a chord namer app I created? I was offering it for free since I'm trying to build my front end development portfolio and resume. Besides standard, I have 12 alternate tuning options.

[@byrdog21]

South City Midnight Lady.....open G

[@thegood9]

ALWAYS tune up from below the pitch back UP to the pitch---that is a "secret" that I see noobs screw up on all the time. It makes a HUGE difference in keeping your guitar in tune.

[@liamfahey7836]

I know what im doing when i get home.

[@darluthier]

If your guitar has been set up for standard tuning, and the truss rod is optimised for standard tuning to get that "clean side of buzzy setup, then depending on how much it had to be tightened for that particular guitar, you might get back-bow when you tune down several strings. You change the tension of the strings by many kg/ lb by doing so. How an instrument handles tension changes really depends on the individual guitar, and its very individual construction and the density of its neck materials. It's not black or white. Some guitars' necks are very rigid, some are not, it depends on many factors, and there are hundreds of variables. It's not that simple to say it won't cause a problem or not when tuning a guitar down.. It depends on the individual guitar. Mainly: how it has been setup, string guage - and therfore truss rod tension - how level the frets are, and how low the action is. I hope that helps some people. Great lesson as always, Justin

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I think Richard Thompson often uses Drop D.

[@86cnrs]

Have you guys tried a EADGAD tuning?

[@aldentepasta3787]

Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard is a great one in that tuning!

[@michaelsteven1090]

I only fear the tunings because they wack out my fretboard thinking when I revert back..It's hard enough navigating the standard tune.

[@lesshorter616]

Keef described his open G work as; 5 strings, 2 fingers, 1 a***hole!

[@His0ka]

one of my chords snapped while going down one step..iam AFRAID of it

[@resslerartstudios]

Woo...i like that slide...can yiu post a like to that?