Open E7 Guitar Tuning
Open E7 sets the six strings from low to high to E B D G# B E. Its gritty, tense and blues-ready voice works especially well for dominant blues, slide turnarounds and E shuffles.
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 E7
The open strings form E7 by adding D, the flat seventh, to an E major chord.
Make the tuning sound intentional
Loop open E7 for one bar, then move to A7 and B7 shapes while keeping a shuffle pulse.
Shape tip: Use the open chord as the tonic in blues and move partial barres rather than full six-string shapes.
Retune to E B D G# B E safely
The fifth and third strings rise above standard pitch while the fourth moves to D. Use suitable gauges, tune slowly and verify intonation.
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 E7 Guitar Tuning?
From the sixth string to the first string, tune to E B D G# B E. Use the six playable reference notes above and recheck them after the neck settles.
Is Open E7 Guitar Tuning safe for my guitar?
The fifth and third strings rise above standard pitch while the fourth moves to D. Use suitable gauges, tune slowly and verify intonation. 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 E7 Guitar Tuning?
Some shapes may still work, but a open dominant 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.