Guitar tuning

Open G Minor Tuning

D·G·D·G·Bb·D

Tonal centre G minor Also called Cross-note G, DGDGBbD Difficulty Easy — the minor version of Open G

Open on the Canvas → Explore chords in the app

Open G minor is Open G with one string moved: the B drops a semitone to Bb, turning the open major chord minor. From standard you tune the 6th, 5th and 1st strings down to D, G and D, and the 2nd string down to Bb — the open strings then spell G minor, D, G, D, G, Bb, D.

It is the minor counterpart to the tuning Keith Richards built his sound on, and it works the same way: a straight barre at any fret is a minor chord, and the doubled D and G strings drone under everything. Fingerstyle and slide players use it for darker, modal open-tuned writing — the same trick as Open D minor, centred on G.

How to tune to Open G Minor

From standard tuning:

6th (lowest) E → D (down a whole step)
5th A → G (down a whole step)
4th D — unchanged
3rd G — unchanged
2nd B → Bb (down a semitone)
1st (highest) E → D (down a whole step)

Open—Shape’s tuner listens for one string at a time and tells you which string it is and how far off — including in alternate tunings like this one.

What Open G Minor does well

A minor chord, open. Strum the open strings for Gm; barre any fret for another minor chord with one finger.
The Open G drone, made minor. Two D strings and two G strings ring as pedal tones, now under a minor third instead of a major one.
The cross-note move. Raise the Bb a semitone to B for G major, and slide between the two for the classic cross-note bend.
One string from Open G. Everything you know in Open G transfers — the only change is the flattened third.

Common chords in Open G Minor

Open G minor is Open G with the 2nd string lowered a semitone. The grid shows the easiest voicing the engine finds for each chord; tap to browse the rest.

Gm x 0 0 0 0 0 1 of 958 → Gm7 x 0 0 0 0 3 1 of 668 → Cm x 5 5 0 5 5 1 of 135 → Dm 0 2 0 2 x 3 1 of 310 → D7 0 2 0 2 2 4 1 of 400 → Bb x 3 0 3 0 3 1 of 469 → Eb 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 of 449 → F 3 2 3 2 2 3 1 of 154 →

Numbers read low string to high; 0 is open, × is muted.

A progression to try

A Gm–Cm–Dm loop, the minor mirror of an Open G progression:

Gm→Cm→Dm→Gm

Songs in Open G Minor

The minor counterpart to the Open G slide repertoire
Fingerstyle and slide writing in a minor key
Used for modal, drone-based open-tuned pieces

Where you’ll hear it

Slide and fingerstyle players who want Open G’s drone with a minor centre — the same circle that uses Open D minor and Open E minor. A niche tuning, but an easy step for anyone already in Open G.

Open a Open G Minor canvas — a tuning module already set, wired to a starter progression, every shape recalculated for you.

Open on the Canvas → Explore chords in the app

Open G Minor tuning FAQ

What are the notes in Open G minor tuning?

From lowest to highest: D, G, D, G, Bb, D. It is Open G (D, G, D, G, B, D) with the 2nd string lowered a semitone from B to Bb, which turns the open chord from G major to G minor.

How is Open G minor different from Open G?

One note. Open G is a major chord open; Open G minor flattens the third so the open chord is minor. Barre chords become minor rather than major to match.

Is Open G minor good for slide?

Yes — every fret barred straight across gives a minor chord, and the drone strings sustain under a slide. It is the minor member of the cross-note family, centred on G.

Is Open G minor hard on the guitar?

No — three strings tune down and one drops a further semitone, so the overall tension is a little below standard. Retune gradually and check the intonation.

Can I use a capo in Open G minor?

Yes — a capo raises the whole minor tuning to a higher key while keeping the shapes. Open—Shape recalculates every voicing for the capo position.

Related tunings

Open D Minor Open E Minor Open A Minor Open C Minor Open E Minor 7 Open A Minor 7 Open E7 Open G Major 7