Songs in Open E Tuning — Grouped by Level
Open E tunes your strings to E B E G# B E — an open E major chord every time you strum. That means big resonant chords with one finger, wide-open slide runs, and a natural richness in the low end.
Verification Note
"Open E and Open D share a lot of repertoire confusion. Every song on this list has been verified as Open E (E B E G# B E), not Open D. If a song's tuning is ambiguous, it is not included here."
Start Here: Open E Songs for Beginners
These songs work well for a first session in Open E. Each one rewards you quickly — the open chord voicings are forgiving, and the riffs don't require fast technique.
She Talks to Angels
The entire song is played in Open E with open chord shapes and basic fingerpicking patterns — the open strings do most of the work so you can focus on the pattern.
Jumpin' Jack Flash
The famous intro riff uses the open E strings as a drone while the fretting hand walks up a couple of frets — great first riff because the tuning sounds like the record.
Something in the Air
A beginner-friendly song built on Open E open chords and a simple strumming pattern — the chord changes are slow enough to build confidence.
Say It to Me Now
Strummed Open E chords with a light fingerpicking bridge — a good first song because it sounds rich right away and the technique demands are low.
Fearless
Acoustic Open E with an ascending run that sounds intricate but is mostly the open strings ringing — satisfying to play early on.
Building Skills: Open E Intermediate
These tracks ask more of your fretting or sliding hand. Most involve either a moving bass line, a full chord riff, or a short slide phrase — enough to feel the tuning open up.
Rocky Mountain Way
Joe Walsh uses Open E for the main guitar riff, which moves across a few frets with a talk-box effect — it's a rewarding chord-riff exercise.
Gimme Shelter
Keith Richards plays the rhythm guitar part in Open E — a steady riff that covers the neck and teaches you how to move through chord shapes.
Bottleneck Blues
A classic slide pattern in Open E — three-chord structure with slide phrases; the tuning makes the I-IV-V progression fall naturally.
Come On in My Kitchen
One of the foundational Delta blues pieces — the slide melody sits on the top strings while the thumb keeps a steady bass pattern.
Little Martha
A fingerpicked Open E piece — no slide, but the tuning lets open strings ring between melody notes in a way impossible in Standard.
Slide Guitar: The Reason for Open E
Open E is the home tuning for many of the most recorded slide guitarists in rock and blues history. These songs require a steady slide hand and some understanding of intonation.
Statesboro Blues
Duane Allman's signature slide piece — the main riff is a slide phrase moving between frets 5 and 7; clean intonation is the challenge.
Lovin' Her Was Easier
Derek Trucks plays extensively in Open E for long sustained slide phrases with very little vibrato, illustrating a melodic approach.
Who Do You Love
Thoroughgood's slide work stays in Open E — a driving rhythm riff with occasional slide melodic phrases over the top.
Dust My Broom
The definitive Open E slide riff — the ascending pattern on the top strings at the 12th fret is the slide guitar equivalent of a power chord.
In My Time of Dying
Jimmy Page plays the slide introduction in Open E — a blues-rock arrangement with a slide melody that climbs the top strings.
Already in Open E? Use the Free Tuner
If you're about to sit down with any of these songs, it's worth checking your tuning with a microphone-based reference before you start. No download, no account.
Microphone-based accuracy · E B E G# B E
Open E or Open D? How to Tell the Difference
A lot of the confusion around Open E song lists comes from the fact that Open E and Open D produce the same chord shape — just one whole step apart in pitch.
OPEN E TUNING
E B E G# B E
OPEN D TUNING
D A D F# A D
If a tab or video says "capo 2 in Open D," that's Open E. Verify the actual string notes before you trust the source — which is why this list sticks only to songs with clear Open E evidence.
Questions About Open E Tuning
- What is Open E tuning?
- Open E is a guitar tuning where the six strings are tuned to E B E G# B E from low to high. Strumming all open strings produces an E major chord. It's widely used in blues and slide guitar playing.
- Is Open E the same as Open D?
- No. They use the same chord shape but are a whole step apart in pitch. Some songs are played in Open D with a capo at the 2nd fret, which sounds like Open E but starts from a different tuned position.
- Is Open E tuning hard on my guitar?
- Open E raises three strings compared to Standard tuning. The higher tension can stress lighter-gauge strings, so many slide guitarists use medium or heavy gauge strings in Open E.
- Which of these songs is easiest to start with in Open E?
- "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes is the most common first song. The fingerpicking is gentle and the open strings ring naturally. "Something in the Air" is a close second for strummers.
- Do I need a slide for Open E tuning songs?
- Not at all. Many Open E songs — like "Fearless" and "Little Martha" — use only standard fretting. Slide is common but optional for the tuning's unique chord-based sound.
- Can I use an acoustic guitar for Open E tuning?
- Yes. Many of the songs on this list were recorded on acoustic guitar. Open E works beautifully on acoustic, electric, or resonator guitars.
- What other tunings are commonly used by Open E players?
- Open D is the closest relative. DADGAD and Open G are also popular alternate tunings in acoustic and folk playing styles.