Guitar ArpeggiosOpen D

6-string tuning: D-A-D-F#-A-D — Rich resonance for slide guitar, folk, and acoustic fingerpicking

About Open D Tuning on Guitar

Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.

Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.

FolkBluesSlide GuitarAcousticSinger-SongwriterCountry

Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James

Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance

Browse 0 guitar arpeggios in Open D tuning. Click any arpeggio below to view the interactive fretboard diagram.

C

    C#

      D

        D#

          E

            F

              F#

                G

                  G#

                    A

                      A#

                        B