Open E Minor Guitar Tuning
Open E Minor sets the six strings from low to high to E B E G B E. Its brooding, resonant and guitar-native voice works especially well for E-minor riffs, slide and open-string drones.
Do this first
No theory test. No perfect technique required. Follow these three steps and start making music.
Tap each string to hear it
What changes in Open E Minor
The open strings form E minor with repeated E and B notes plus G as the minor third.
Make the tuning sound intentional
Hold an open E minor drone and improvise with G, A and B on the top strings.
Shape tip: Use the open low E as a pedal and move compact shapes above it; a barre creates other minor chords.
Retune to E B E G B E safely
The fifth and fourth strings rise a whole step. Use suitable gauges, tune slowly or reach the same concert sound by capoing a lower open-minor setup.
Change one string at a time, approach the target pitch gradually and recheck every string after the neck settles. Stop if a string feels unusually tight, the bridge lifts or the instrument reacts unpredictably.
Turn the open strings into music
Quick answers before you play
What are the notes in Open E Minor Guitar Tuning?
From the sixth string to the first string, tune to E B E G B E. Use the six playable reference notes above and recheck them after the neck settles.
Is Open E Minor Guitar Tuning safe for my guitar?
The fifth and fourth strings rise a whole step. Use suitable gauges, tune slowly or reach the same concert sound by capoing a lower open-minor setup. Stop if a string feels unusually tight, the bridge moves or the guitar becomes difficult to intonate.
Can I use normal chord shapes in Open E Minor Guitar Tuning?
Some shapes may still work, but a open minor tuning changes at least part of the fretboard. Start with the open strings, simple drones and the shape guidance on this page.
Why do the strings go out of tune again after retuning?
Changing one string changes the total tension on the neck. Tune all six strings, wait briefly and repeat the process until every reference pitch remains stable.