Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Frustrated that the guitar sounds out of tune? When you tune the classic rock open G using harmonics, it makes the chords sound awesome. Read more to learn how.
This article uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post.
The diagram below shows you how to tune open G using harmonics:
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, tilt your screen 90o to the right.
The following video demonstrates the basics of playing harmonics for beginners.
Explanation of TAB and Harmonics
For those of you who don’t know how tab works, we need to review it before trying to tune the classic rock open G tuning.
- The lines represent the strings.
- The fattest string is represented by the line toward the bottom of the page.
- The thinnest string is represented by the line toward the top of the page.
- The numbers represent the frets.
- The smaller numbers indicate the frets near the head of the guitar.
- The strings get numbered from thinnest to thickest with string 1 being the thinnest and string 6 the thickest.
- The diamonds above the numbers indicate which frets have harmonics.
To play a harmonic, lightly touch the string over the fret while plucking the string. You should hear a bell-like tone.
How to Tune the Classic Rock Open G Sound Using Harmonics
Start by tuning open G with an electronic tuner. The notes for open G tuning from the bottom string to the top are: D G D G B D. When tuning using the above tab, always tune the measures in order from left to right or the tuning will be off.
Each measure has two notes. In the first measure, pluck the 7th and 12th fret harmonics so they sound at the same time. Then, turn the tuning peg on the 4th string until the two harmonics match.
Listen for beating (the wah-wah-wah sound). When the beating disappears, you are in tune. Follow the same procedure for measures 2 and 4. If you have a hard time hearing the harmonics in measure 4, try adding distortion.
Measures 3 and 5 each compare a harmonic with an open string. Once again, tune the second note of each pair until the two notes match.
Alternately, you can tune the classic rock open G tuning using a strobe tuner. To find out how to use a strobe tuner:
How to Play the Classic Rock Open G Sound
Once you’ve finished tuning the classic rock open G tuning, play all of the open strings. This is a G major chord. Next, play an Ab major chord, simply lay a finger (usually the index or #1 finger) on the first fret and press down all the strings while strumming.
Finally, moving the first finger up and down the neck yields other major chords. The root, for which the chord is named, stays on the fifth string.
Songs that Work with the Classic Rock Open G Sound
Honky Tonk Women Video
These songs are played in open G:
Wild Thing, Hit Me with You Best Shot, and “Living After Midnight” can also be converted to this tuning. Try them out with the classic rock open G tuned using harmonics. They sound great!
Related Posts:
- How to Tune Like a Rock Star
- Play Like a Rock Star with Open G Tuning
- Sound Like a Rock Star with Open G Tuning
- Jam Like a Rock Star with Open E Tuning
- Learn How to Get a Killer Sound for Your Band
- How to Tune the Blues Rock Open D Sound Using Harmonics
- Tune Your Ukulele Like a Hawaiian
- Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
- How to Use an Extremely Accurate Guitar Strobe Tuner to Make Your Guitar Sound Awesome
© 2020 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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