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Guitar Tuning Guide

Open A Guitar Tuning Guide and Online Tuner

Tune guitar to Open A (E-A-C#-E-A-E), understand the target chord, and open a preset microphone tuner for every string.

Low to high

Open A Tuning target notes

6E25A24C#33E32A31E4
Open Open A Tuning Tuner

The full tuner opens with this tuning already selected.

What Is Open A Tuning?

The open strings form an A major chord with doubled roots and fifths.

Open A Tuning uses E2 - A2 - C#3 - E3 - A3 - E4 from the lowest sixth string to the highest first string.

Target notes

E2 - A2 - C#3 - E3 - A3 - E4

Change from standard

Keep both E strings and the A string, raise D to E, raise G to A, and raise B to C#.

Sound and feel

The open strings form an A major chord with doubled roots and fifths.

Common uses

Slide guitar, blues, major-chord drones, lap-style ideas, and arrangements centered on A.

How to Tune a Guitar to Open A Tuning

Make small adjustments, let each string settle, and repeat the complete guitar after the neck tension changes.

  1. 1

    Start near standard tuning

    Check that the current string pitches are known before making larger changes.

  2. 2

    Follow the target sequence

    Keep both E strings and the A string, raise D to E, raise G to A, and raise B to C#. The final low-to-high targets are E2 - A2 - C#3 - E3 - A3 - E4.

  3. 3

    Use the microphone tuner

    Open the preset tuner, play one string at a time, and move the cents reading toward zero.

  4. 4

    Recheck every string

    Retuning changes total neck tension. Repeat the sequence until earlier strings no longer drift.

What Open A Tuning Is Used For

Slide guitar, blues, major-chord drones, lap-style ideas, and arrangements centered on A.

A-major resonance

Strum all six open strings for a complete A major chord without fretting.

Movable slide chords

A straight barre or slide across one fret produces another major chord.

Open-string melody

Use repeated A and E drones beneath melody notes on the upper strings.

Tension caution

Several strings tune upward from standard, so use gradual adjustments and consider Open G with a capo when tension is a concern.

Open A Tuning vs. Standard Guitar Tuning

The same guitar can use either setup, but open strings, tension, chord shapes, and usable drones change.

Open A TuningStandard tuning
Open stringsE2 - A2 - C#3 - E3 - A3 - E4E2 - A2 - D3 - G3 - B3 - E4
How to changeKeep both E strings and the A string, raise D to E, raise G to A, and raise B to C#.No retuning required
CharacterThe open strings form an A major chord with doubled roots and fifths.Balanced and familiar across most styles
Best forSlide guitar, blues, major-chord drones, lap-style ideas, and arrangements centered on A.General chords, scales, lessons, and repertoire

After a large tuning change, check string tension, fret buzz, intonation, and whether a different string gauge would suit a permanent setup.

Related guitar tunings

Compare nearby tunings, or open the complete guitar tuner to choose from every available preset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in Open A Tuning?

From the lowest string to the highest, use E2 - A2 - C#3 - E3 - A3 - E4.

Keep both E strings and the A string, raise D to E, raise G to A, and raise B to C#.

Slide guitar, blues, major-chord drones, lap-style ideas, and arrangements centered on A.

Occasional moderate retuning usually works with an existing set. Permanent low or high tunings may need a different gauge and a setup for stable tension, action, and intonation.

Approach the final note from slightly below when possible. This helps the string settle around the tuning-post tension instead of immediately slipping flat.

Yes. Open the preset tuner, allow microphone access, keep the phone near the guitar, and play one clear open string at a time.