Open E Tuning

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Hey fam !

Quick question, I’ve never heard of open E tuning. It’s apparently E-B-E-G#-B-E

Anywho, there’s an acoustic song I want to play with this tuning.
would it be safe to do so ? Will this tuning cause any issues ?
my acoustic is set up for standard so idk how far I can go with alternate tunings.

I hope my question makes sense.
Thanks guys !

Moonrunner · Apr 8, 2020

As far as I'm concerned it should not be a problem, but maybe try lighter strings if something doesnt feel right

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Moonrunner said:
As far as I'm concerned it should not be a problem, but maybe try lighter strings if something doesnt feel right

Thanks. I already use super light strings, I was concerned possibly of breakage since it’s a bit higher than what I would normally tune too

idssdi · Apr 8, 2020

I think it should be fine, the tension doesn't seem to be a problem. It would be safer if you have lighter strings but its not a really big problem I think

Jacques · Apr 8, 2020

You will be safe AND your guitar will sound beautiful simply strumming all six strings without fretting a single chord!

I get what you're concerned about tho, cause your A and D string will be tuned up 2 semitones higher than usual and your g string 1 semitone higher.

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Moonrunner said:
As far as I'm concerned it should not be a problem, but maybe try lighter strings if something doesnt feel right

Thanks. I already use super light strings, I was concerned possibly of breakage since it’s was

Jacques said:
You will be safe AND your guitar will sound beautiful simply strumming all six strings without fretting a single chord!

I get what you're concerned about tho, cause your A and D string will be tuned up 2 semitones higher than usual and your g string 1 semitone higher.

yes ! I was about to do it because I’m putting new strings on and my husband was concerned about that. I’m scared to try it.... But I do have extra strings just in case lol.

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Ids Schiere said:
I think it should be fine, the tension doesn't seem to be a problem. It would be safer if you have lighter strings but its not a really big problem I think

Thanks Ids. I’m actually putting new strings on and that’s why I was thinking of trying this song I’ve been dying to learn. I’m using the Ernie ball earthwood light strings.... 11-52.... do you think those are light enough for this tuning ?

Jacques · Apr 8, 2020

Alicia Willis said:
Thanks. I already use super light strings, I was concerned possibly of breakage since it’s was

yes ! I was about to do it because I’m putting new strings on and my husband was concerned about that. I’m scared to try it.... But I do have extra strings just in case lol.

You guys will have fun with it! If you have a hand slide, now would be an ideal time to experiment with that too!

idssdi · Apr 8, 2020

Alicia Willis said:
Thanks Ids. I’m actually putting new strings on and that’s why I was thinking of trying this song I’ve been dying to learn. I’m using the Ernie ball earthwood light strings.... 11-52.... do you think those are light enough for this tuning ?

Not sure tbh. I use 10-46 and they work with it. If you have any extra strings you can just try it

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Ids Schiere said:
Not sure tbh. I use 10-46 and they work with it. If you have any extra strings you can just try it

So, are those the strings you use on acoustic or do you just use this tuning on electric?

idssdi · Apr 8, 2020

Alicia Willis said:
So, are those the strings you use on acoustic or do you just use this tuning on electric?

I have only ever only done stuff like that on acoustic, I also think it's more likely I picked open D because it's a bit safer for the strings.

I use 10-46 for both acoustic and electric.

Jak Angelescu · Apr 8, 2020

With open E chord tuning your pitch doesn't actually change that drastically. However, for something like Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" where you have to tune up substantially, that gets pretty risky. That's like the only song with that tuning in the whole world and numerous people break strings trying to get that tuning! I know that Black Crowes "She talks to angels" uses open E tuning

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Jak Angelescu said:
With open E chord tuning your pitch doesn't actually change that drastically. However, for something like Goo Goo Dolls "Iris" where you have to tune up substantially, that gets pretty risky. That's like the only song with that tuning in the whole world and numerous people break strings trying to get that tuning! I know that Black Crowes "She talks to angels" uses open E tuning
[/QUOTE
My woman !!!! “She Talks To Angels” is exactly what I wanna learn ! One of my all time favorites for various reasons !

Jak Angelescu · Apr 8, 2020

Then really practice the lessons that focus on embellishments and pull offs because there's a lot of them in that song! If you need any help let me know I played that song with my family when I was like 15. It's a little tricky but I think you would easily get it!

Alicia Willis · Apr 8, 2020

Jak Angelescu said:
Then really practice the lessons that focus on embellishments and pull offs because there's a lot of them in that song! If you need any help let me know I played that song with my family when I was like 15. It's a little tricky but I think you would easily get it!

Thanks girl ! I’m weary of the pull offs as I suck at them, but I think this song would be a good incentive to work on them !

Nocturne · Apr 9, 2020

Don't worry about alternate tunings and tuning stability or damages to your guitar. Your guitar will be fine, the neck is a solid piece of wood made to handle different kind of strings with a truss rod inside to offset it. Except if you play with a much lower tuning (like a drop C at least, when you can hear a significant difference in tone that makes you tell yourself: "alright, my strings aren't meant to go that low"), string tension won't make any difference from my experience. You don't have to change your strings or to set up your guitar for that if you just want to practice and try a different tuning. But if you go from drop C and to E standard very often you might experience some issues with 10-46 strings like a broken high E string, still according to my experience. That was a painful moment.

Alicia Willis · Apr 9, 2020

Edward John said:
I bet the 'Back don't use no stinkin open E tuning.

I’m cooler than the ‘back !

Alicia Willis · Apr 9, 2020

Nocturne said:
Don't worry about alternate tunings and tuning stability or damages to your guitar. Your guitar will be fine, the neck is a solid piece of wood made to handle different kind of strings with a truss rod inside to offset it. Except if you play with a much lower tuning (like a drop C at least, when you can hear a significant difference in tone that makes you tell yourself: "alright, my strings aren't meant to go that low"), string tension won't make any difference from my experience. You don't have to change your strings or to set up your guitar for that if you just want to practice and try a different tuning. But if you go from drop C and to E standard very often you might experience some issues with 10-46 strings like a broken high E string, still according to my experience. That was a painful moment.

Thanks! I’m using 11-52 strings. I’m just scared the tension of the higher tuning might snap one. I’ve only ever Broken a string once and that scarred me lol.

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