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Open A tuning

Open A tuning is E A E A C♯ E, from the lowest string to the highest. Compared with standard: 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings up a whole step. Tap a string to hear it.

Tap a string to hear its note, then tune yours to match.

About open A

Open A tunes the open strings to an A major chord: E A E A C♯ E. It is open G’s shape a whole step higher, reached by tuning three strings up.

It is used for slide guitar and blues. Tuning up adds tension, so some players use open G and a capo at the 2nd fret instead.

Open A tuning notes

Each open string from the 1st, the thinnest, to the 6th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

Open A tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequencyFrom standard
1stE4329.63 HzSame as standard
2ndC♯4277.18 HzUp a whole step from B
3rdA3220 HzUp a whole step from G
4thE3164.81 HzUp a whole step from D
5thA2110 HzSame as standard
6thE282.41 HzSame as standard

Every other note’s frequency is on the note frequency chart.

How to tune to open A

Start in standard tuning and move only the strings that change, lowest first.

  1. Tune the 4th string up a whole step, from D to E. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher.
  2. Tune the 3rd string up a whole step, from G to A. It should match the open 5th string, an octave higher.
  3. Tune the 2nd string up a whole step, from B to C♯.

To lower a string, go a little below its new note and come back up to it: a string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better.

To tune with your mic instead, in this tuning or another, use the guitar tuner.

Playing in open A

One finger across every string at any fret plays a major chord: the 5th fret is D, the 7th fret E, the 12th fret A again.

The fretboard in open A

The note on every fret in this tuning. Tap one to hear it, or light up one note or a scale on the neck.

Frets

Tap any fret to hear its note.

Six steps to learning every note on the neck are on the guitar fretboard page.

Questions about open A

What are the notes of open A tuning?

E A E A C♯ E, from the 6th string, the lowest, to the 1st: E2 A2 E3 A3 C♯4 E4.

How do I tune my guitar to open A tuning?

Start in standard tuning. Tune the 4th string up a whole step, from D to E. It should match the open 6th string, an octave higher. Tune the 3rd string up a whole step, from G to A. It should match the open 5th string, an octave higher. Tune the 2nd string up a whole step, from B to C♯. A tuner showing each note in the table makes it exact.

What chord is open A tuning?

The open strings ring a A major chord. In an open tuning, one finger across every string at any fret plays the same kind of chord from that fret’s note.

More guitar tunings

Open D tuning

D A D F♯ A D

Rings D major. 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step; 3rd string down a half step.

Open G tuning

D G D G B D

Rings G major. 6th, 5th and 1st strings down a whole step.

Open E tuning

E B E G♯ B E

Rings E major. 5th and 4th strings up a whole step; 3rd string up a half step.

Open C tuning

C G C G C E

Rings C major. 6th string down two whole steps; 5th and 4th strings down a whole step; 2nd string up a half step.

DADGAD tuning

D A D G A D

Rings D sus4. 6th, 2nd and 1st strings down a whole step.

Standard tuning

E A D G B E

The tuning every other one is measured from.

All 14, side by side with how far each string moves, are on the guitar tunings page.

Play along in A major

Open the free editor with a beat in A major playing, then add your guitar part, a bass line or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll guitar tunings

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