Open Ab Tuning (EbAbEbAbCEb)

This unique and vibrant open tuning, often referred to as EbAbEbAbCEb, is a direct descendant of the popular Open G tuning (DGDGBD). It offers a familiar feel to Open G players but with a distinct brighter and higher tonality, as every string is essentially shifted up a semitone from Open G.

Designed to provide a rich, full Ab Major chord simply by strumming all open strings, this tuning is excellent for a variety of styles including slide guitar, folk, blues, and drone-based music. Its elevated pitch compared to Open G gives it a cutting, brilliant character, perfect for standing out in a mix.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to D#3 (Eb3), G#3 (Ab3), D#4 (Eb4), G#4 (Ab4), C4, and D#5 (Eb5). This configuration explicitly forms an Ab Major chord (Ab-C-Eb) across multiple octaves. The arrangement creates a powerful root-fifth-root-fifth-third-root voicing, providing a strong harmonic foundation.

Being diatonic to Ab Major, this tuning greatly simplifies playing. Barring all strings at any fret will automatically produce a major chord corresponding to that fret (e.g., barring at the first fret yields an A Major chord, at the third fret a C Major chord). The presence of the C string (second string) provides a natural major third in the open voicing, which is a hallmark of Open G style tunings and contributes significantly to its rich, full sound.

The string movements required for this tuning are relatively minor (all strings move by only 1 semitone). This means that for most guitars and string gauges, no special considerations are necessary regarding string tension or potential intonation issues beyond a standard setup.

Open String Notes

The target notes for your guitar in Open Ab Tuning are as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): D#3 (Eb3)
• String 5 (A): G#3 (Ab3)
• String 4 (D): D#4 (Eb4)
• String 3 (G): G#4 (Ab4)
• String 2 (B): C4
• String 1 (High E): D#5 (Eb5)

How to Tune

To achieve the Open Ab Tuning (EbAbEbAbCEb) from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E, E2): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D#3 (Eb3).
• String 5 (A, A2): Tune down 1 semitone to reach G#3 (Ab3).
• String 4 (D, D3): Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4 (Eb4).
• String 3 (G, G3): Tune up 1 semitone to reach G#4 (Ab4).
• String 2 (B, B3): Tune up 1 semitone to reach C4.
• String 1 (High E, E4): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D#5 (Eb5).

All string movements for this tuning are within 1 semitone, which is a very safe range for standard guitar strings. For tunings that involve more extreme adjustments (exceeding 4 semitones up or down), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and string tension.