Electric Guitar Tunings. Open G & Eb.

    Guitar tuning in Eb for beginner guitarist

    Tuning the guitar with and without harmonics

    There are at least two useful ways that you should know about when tuning your guitar that doesn’t involve electronic equipment. Tuning your guitar with harmonics and without.

    Using a guitar using harmonics is a precise and effective method to ensure your instrument is in tune. Harmonics can be used to tune the guitar by comparing the pitches of specific harmonics on different strings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

    1. Tune the Low E String (6th String):
      • Use a reference pitch (like a tuning fork, piano, or electronic tuner) to tune the low E string to the correct pitch.
    2. Tune the A String (5th String) Using the Low E String:
      • Play the harmonic at the 5th fret of the low E string. This produces a pitch that will be the same as the harmonic at the 7th fret of the A string.
    3. Tune the D String (4th String) Using the A String:
      • Play the harmonic at the 5th fret of the A string. This should match the harmonic at the 7th fret of the D string.
    4. Tune the G String (3rd String) Using the D String:
      • Play the harmonic at the 5th fret of the D string. This should match the harmonic at the 7th fret of the G string.
    5. Tune the B String (2nd String) Using the G String:
      • Play the harmonic at the 7th fret of the low E string (6th string). This should match the open B string.
    6. Tune the High E String (1st String) Using the B String:
      • Play the harmonic at the 5th fret of the B string. This should match the harmonic at the 7th fret of the high E string.

    Tips for Harmonic Tuning:

    • Light Touch: To produce a harmonic, lightly touch the string directly above the fret wire without pressing down and pluck the string.
    • Listen Carefully: Harmonics produce a clear, bell-like tone that can be easier to match than standard notes.
    • Fine Adjustments: Make small adjustments to the tuning pegs to avoid over-tuning.
    • Repeat as Necessary: Go through the steps more than once if needed to ensure all strings are in tune with each other.

    By using harmonics, you can achieve a precise tuning across the strings, which is especially useful for ensuring that chords sound in tune across the fretboard.

    What is the standard tuning for guitar?

    If you’re reading this post you’re probably familiar with the standard tuning, it’s E A D G B E. Here’s a helpful image to show you which string is which.

    Standard tunings for the guitar E A D G B E

    Tuning a guitar without harmonics

    We can also tune a guitar without harmonics by assuming string 6 is in tune and following the referents note on fret 5 for strings, 5, 4, 3 and 1. For string 2, we’d need fret four.

    What is guitar intonation?

    Guitar intonation refers to the accuracy of the pitch produced by the instrument across its fretboard after we’ve tuned the guitar correctly.

    • Tuning the guitar to pitch.

    • Play a barre or open chord

    Does is still sound in tune?

    Guitar tuning, open G.

    If you want to tune your guitar to open G tuning, you’ll need the following notes;

    • String 6 (D)
    • String 5 (G)
    • String 4 (D)
    • String 3 (G)
    • String 2 (B)
    • String 1 (D)

     

    Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones famously uses open G tuning, contributing to the band’s signature sound on hits like “Honky Tonk Women” and “Brown Sugar.” The tuning allows for simpler fingerings and facilitates droning open strings, adding depth and complexity to the music.

    One of the key advantages of open G tuning is its versatility for both rhythm and lead playing. For rhythm guitarists, it simplifies chord shapes, enabling the player to use one or two fingers to form full, lush-sounding chords. This can be particularly useful for creating a strong, rhythmic backbone in a song. Lead guitarists benefit from the tuning’s suitability for slide guitar; the open strings provide a consistent and harmonious drone while sliding, producing a smooth, fluid sound.

    This tuning also encourages creative experimentation, inviting guitarists to explore new chord structures and melodic patterns that may be less accessible in standard tuning. Overall, open G tuning is a powerful tool for guitarists looking to expand their musical palette and achieve a distinctive, resonant tone.

    What is Eb tuning for guitar? 

    You may have heard the phrase ‘ tune the guitar half a step down’, or guitar in ‘Eb standard tuning’. The term ‘tuning the guitar half a step down’ is a phrase that is used to describe the type of tuning you may need to use as a guitarist. 

    The number one reason for tuning your guitar half a step down is largely to do with the singer. Singing in standard tuning is hard work and exhausting whereas tuning half a step down doesn’t stretch the vocal cords nearly as much. 

    Other terms for ‘Eb Tuning’

    Half a step down is also another term for half a semi tone which is half a tone that also means Eb tuning. A tone would be from E back to D, whereas a semi tone or half a step down or tuning to Eb would be from E – Eb, A – Ab etc.

    Here’s the order of notes; “A Bb B C C# D Eb E F F# G Ab A”.

    Normally the guitar is tuned to notes E A D G B E. Once you’ve tuned down half a step these will be your actual notes for the open strings. Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. The guitar is actually a transposing instrument. But the cool thing here is that it’s also not. A transposing instrument is a clarinet for example where it’s written a 3rd down. So the note A is actually a note C.

    What is Eb ‘Standard’ Tuning?

    What guitarists mean by Eb ‘Standard’ Tuning is a bit of a weird one. You can get different types of tuning for guitar such as D A D G A D/E and open G tuning which we’ll come on to in a bit. 

    As guitarists, even though you’ve transposed your guitar half a step down we still generally call string 6 an E note and fret one on string 6 an F note – even though it’s now actually an E note in Eb tuning. 

    Although a bit of a mind boggle, if you were to retune your guitar to open G tuning for instance, it’s a lot easier to still reference the note as to what it would be in standard tuning,

    Simply, it would get too time consuming to notate and write out note for note which is where tablature comes in. Tablature allows you to know where to place your fingers on the fret board without reading the notes. As a guitarists I’m not much of a fan of tablature…. but in these instances tab is super useful.

    As a guitarist I actually find it easier to read the music when the tablature isn’t there. It’s a trade-off between learning the music efficiently or not – particularly when in weird tunings. 

    Can I tune down to Drop D in Eb Tuning or standard?

    You can also tune to an Eb tuning but with the 6th string tuned down to D or technically ‘Db’.

    Open strings would actually be: Db Ab Db Gb Ab Db

    You can also tune down to Drop D in standard tuning too.

    You’re probably going to be playing in the key of D major, but you can also play in other keys whilst string 6 is tuned to the note of D.

    Keys such as C minor which will force to you move the route on string 6 up two frets. Super cool idea if you’re potentially playing to a knowledgable audience. It may be the topic of conversation. “I noticed you were in Drop D tuning but not actually playing in the key of D how does that work?”

    You can also tune to drop D for bass guitar too. It’s exactly the same method as above but for 4 strings depending on the kind of bass you have.

    C Minor Tuning

    Although this wouldn’t be an open tuning as such, you could play a C minor chord in position III (fret 3). 

    Tune string 6 to low C and the high E string (string 1) to ‘Eb’. Eb is in the key signature of C minor so this tuning would work well for songs such as ‘I Predict a Riot’ by the Kaiser Chiefs. You can apply similar methods to other keys. Admittedly, some keys work better than others. 

    Guitar strings would be tuned to C (6) A (5) D (4) G (3) B (2) Eb (1)

    7 reasons for tuning to Eb.

    ‘Sound like’ your heroes 

    Guitarist tune to Eb for several reasons:

    • It’s less strain on the singer’s voice

    • Easier to bend the strings

    • Easier to fret

    • Sounds ‘Rockier’

    • Increases sustain

    • You might be able to stay in tune for longer (depends on string gauge)

    • To play along with official backing tracks.

    Use heavier gauged strings

    When you start using alternate tunings for the first time you may want to consider using a heavier gauged string as this will decrease the chance of string breakage when retuning. It will also sound less ‘twangy’ too. For acoustic guitar I like to use Elixir’s nano-webs. Gauge 11s.

    Sustain is better

    Regardless of whether you’re retuning for electric or acoustic guitars, your sustain and the depth of the note when using heavier gauge strings or not the ‘sustain’ will be better. The guitar strings aren’t so tight so there’s more vibration which allows the note to last longer. If you’re guitar is set up correctly, the string’s vibration shouldn’t create any fret buzz.

    Stay in tune for longer

    By slacking off the strings you can actually stay in tune better. But this is all dependant on your guitars build quality and also how much you bend your strings too.

    Easier to bend

    Incase you’ve ever wondered how to bend your strings so high on your fret board – this is how. Bending your strings is still a great way to break them though. It’s inevitable that this will happen at some stage.

    Have a wider dynamic ranges

    Tuning to Eb will create a greater dynamic range. Perhaps more noticeable on acoustic especially if you were to tune to ‘standard’ tuning a whole step down then to drop D or which ever root note you like. The resonance is definitely noticeable. For acoustic guitar players, you’ll most likely benefit and appreciate the sustain of the chords particularly those guitar chords with open strings.

    Makes singing easier

    Above all your singer will probably thank you. It will mean that your singer can sing for a greater length of time and also create the illusion of having a higher note range than the rest of the band which in most cases is what you would want. 

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