Guitar Lesson - Open G Tuning and
Riffs
Open G Tuning is one of the most widely used alternate
guitar tunings with the exception of Drop D tuning. Take this lesson
and learn how to tune your guitar and play riffs in Open G Tuning!
Names of the guitar strings in Open G Tuning:
| 1st string - D |
4th string - D |
| 2nd string - B |
5th string - G |
| 3rd string - G |
6th string - D |
The 1st, 5th, and 6th strings are tuned down from
their original pitch. The easiest way to tune these strings correctly
is use a guitar tuner. If you don't have a tuner, then you will have to
tune by ear. Here's how:
Step 1 - Play the 3rd fret on the 2nd string.
Step 2 - While that 2nd string is ringing,
play the 1st string open ( no fret is pressed down)
Step 3 - Adjust the 1st string's tuning key
until it sounds the same as the 2nd string note.
Step 1 - Play the 7th fret on the 5th string.
Step 2 - While that string is ringing, play
the 4th string open ( no fret is pressed down)
Step 3 - Adjust the 5th string's tuning key
until it sounds the same as the 4th string note.
Step 1 - Play the 5th fret on the 6th string.
Step 2 - While that string is ringing, play
the 5th string open ( no fret is pressed down)
Step 3 - Adjust the 6th string's tuning key
until it sounds the same as the 5th string note.
Playing Chords in Open G Tuning
Now that the guitar is tuned correctly, you need
to learn how to get around in this new open tuning. Let's first try
some bar chords. What makes the Open G Tuning really cool is playing
chords with one finger!
OPEN G CHORDS (HEAR
IT!)
OPEN G RIFF 1 (HEAR
IT!) - play each chord with the 1st
finger barred. Be sure to count!
OPEN G RIFF 2 (HEAR
IT!) - This riff is a combination of
Riff 1 and some other chords. Work hard on the pull-off chord by itself!
Once you are playing well, add some palm muting to a chord or two.
- Work on playing bar chords from the Open
G Tuning. See what other cool chords you can find!
- Practice these open G riffs a lot - they
are just the kind of rock riffs that you should know!
- Metronome - After you've practiced the riffs,
set the metronome to a slow speed and try riff 1 and 2. Gradually increase
your speed every day or so. After a few days of playing with the metronome,
try playing with the slow practice track. Work your way up to the fast
practice track over the next 2 or 3 weeks.
- Make up your own riffs in Open G Tuning! Start
with simple riffs and work up to harder ones. Use some of the techniques
you have learned like hammer-ons,
bends,
palm muting, etc..
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