What is Open E tuning?

Open E tuning is E-B-E-G#-B-E (low to high). Strumming all strings open produces an E major chord. Barring any fret gives you a major chord at that position, making it ideal for slide guitar.

What is the difference between Open E and Open D?

Open E and Open D have identical interval structures — Open E is simply Open D tuned up one whole step. Open E sounds brighter and has higher string tension. Open D is gentler on the neck and preferred for acoustic guitars. You can achieve Open E sound by using Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret.

Is Open E safe for acoustic guitars?

Open E puts more tension on the neck than standard tuning because three strings are tuned UP. On acoustic guitars, especially older or lighter-built ones, this extra tension can cause damage over time. Many acoustic players use Open D with a capo at fret 2 instead.

A Major Pentatonic Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in Open E tuning — fretboard diagram

Tuning

Frets

A Major Pentatonic in Open E — Notes and Intervals

The A Major Pentatonic scale is a universal five-note scale found in almost every musical culture. On Guitar, it contains the notes A, B, C#, E, F#. It is extremely consonant and easy to listen to, making it the perfect choice for melodies in country, pop, and blues. Its open sound ensures that almost any note played will sound correct over major harmonies. Commonly used in Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk. Notable players include Keith Richards, B.B. King, John Mayer, Eric Clapton. Use over any major chord, major key progression, or dominant 7th chord. The safest and most universal soloing tool.

Notes: A, B, C#, E, F#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 5P, 6M

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5

Formula: W-W-WH-W-WH

Number of notes: 5

Tuning: Open E (E-B-E-G#-B-E)

Also known as: pentatonic

About Open E Tuning

Open E tuning (E-B-E-G#-B-E) produces a bright, full E major chord when strummed open. Structurally identical to Open D but tuned a whole step higher, Open E delivers a snappier, more cutting tone that has defined the sound of electric slide guitar in blues-rock and Southern rock.

Duane Allman used Open E on the Allman Brothers Band's legendary 'Statesboro Blues' and 'At Fillmore East' recordings, establishing it as the definitive electric slide tuning. Derek Trucks carries on this tradition as one of the greatest living slide guitarists. The Black Crowes used Open E for 'She Talks to Angels'. Because three strings are tuned UP from standard (the 3rd, 4th, and 5th), Open E puts more tension on the neck than Open D — this is why many acoustic players prefer Open D, while electric players favor Open E for its brighter bite.

Electric BluesSouthern RockBlues-RockSlide GuitarAmericana

Notable artists: Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Best for: Electric slide guitar, Southern rock, blues-rock, and any style that needs bright, singing slide tone with the tonal center of E

Musical Character

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By removing the 4th and 7th degrees from the major scale, all dissonant intervals disappear. Every note sounds 'right' — making it nearly impossible to play a wrong note over major harmony.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

I – V – vi – IV (Pop Progression)Pop / Rock — Hope & Joy
vi – IV – I – V (Melancholic Variation)Pop / Rock — Melancholy
I – vi – IV – V (50s Doo-Wop)Pop / Rock — Nostalgia
IV – V – I – vi (Unresolved Cycle)Pop / Rock — Dreamy & Cyclical
IV – I – V – vi (Sensitive Pop)Pop / Rock — Uplifting
I – IV – V (Rock & Folk Classic)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
I – V – IV (Rock Ballad)Pop / Rock — Anthemic
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V (Pachelbel's Canon)Classical / Pop — Epic & Nostalgic
I – vi – ii – V (Jazz Turnaround)Jazz / Soul — Sophistication
ii – V – I (Jazz ii–V–I)Jazz / Soul — Sophistication
IV – V – iii – vi (Royal Road (J-Pop))World / J-Pop — Yearning & Nostalgia
IV – V – iii – vi – ii – V – I (Japanese Circle)World / J-Pop — Complete Resolution
I – I+ – I6 – I7 (Ascending Augmented)Classical / Pop — Hopeful & Yearning

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open E tuning