Open E minor Tuning on 6-string guitar
Open E minor tuning is E2 B2 E3 G3 B3 E4, written EBEGBE. Raise the 5th and 4th strings a whole step, from A2 to B2 and D3 to E3, and leave everything else at standard pitch.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | MIDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | E2 | 82.41 | 40 |
| 5th | B2 | 123.47 | 47 |
| 4th | E3 | 164.81 | 52 |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 | 55 |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 | 59 |
| 1st (highest) | E4 | 329.63 | 64 |
Every frequency is computed from the MIDI number, not typed in. Each one links to its own reference page.
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Why guitarists use Open E minor tuning
This is the least disruptive open tuning on the guitar: only two strings move, and the 3rd string keeps its standard G3, which already is the minor third of E. The open strings sound an E minor chord without a single semitone adjustment.
Where you will hear it: folk, fingerstyle, slide guitar in minor keys. That list is deliberately limited to genres and playing traditions. Attributing a tuning to specific songs or players is the kind of claim that needs a source, and this page does not make claims it cannot back up.
Open E minor compared with standard EADGBE tuning
This is the table that tells you how far to turn each peg, in semitones and in hertz. A negative semitone value means the string goes down.
| String | Standard | Standard (Hz) | Open E minor | Open E minor (Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th (lowest) | E2 | 82.41 | E2 | 82.41 | unchanged |
| 5th | A2 | 110.00 | B2 | 123.47 | +2 semitones (+13.47 Hz) |
| 4th | D3 | 146.83 | E3 | 164.81 | +2 semitones (+17.98 Hz) |
| 3rd | G3 | 196.00 | G3 | 196.00 | unchanged |
| 2nd | B3 | 246.94 | B3 | 246.94 | unchanged |
| 1st (highest) | E4 | 329.63 | E4 | 329.63 | unchanged |
Notice that equal semitone steps are not equal hertz steps: the same whole step is worth about 9 Hz down at the bottom string and far more at the top. That is why tuners report cents, which are proportional, rather than hertz.
How to tune to Open E minor, string by string
- Play the 6th (lowest) open and adjust until the tuner reads E2 at 82.41 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 5th open and adjust until the tuner reads B2 at 123.47 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 4th open and adjust until the tuner reads E3 at 164.81 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 3rd open and adjust until the tuner reads G3 at 196.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 2nd open and adjust until the tuner reads B3 at 246.94 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 1st (highest) open and adjust until the tuner reads E4 at 329.63 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
Retune in two passes. Changing the tension on one string changes the pull on the neck, so the strings you set first will have drifted slightly by the time you finish the last one. That effect is larger the further the tuning sits from standard, so a tuning that moves four or more strings almost always needs a third pass.
Frequently asked questions
What notes is Open E minor tuning on a 6-string guitar?
Open E minor is E2, B2, E3, G3, B3, E4, written EBEGBE. Raise the 5th and 4th strings a whole step, from A2 to B2 and D3 to E3, and leave everything else at standard pitch.
What are the frequencies of Open E minor tuning?
E2 is 82.41 Hz, B2 is 123.47 Hz, E3 is 164.81 Hz, G3 is 196.00 Hz, B3 is 246.94 Hz, E4 is 329.63 Hz, all in twelve tone equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How many strings change compared to standard tuning?
2 of 6. the 5th goes from A2 to B2 (up 2 semitones), the 4th goes from D3 to E3 (up 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in Open E minor tuning?
E2 at 82.41 Hz, MIDI note 40. Low notes take longer for a pitch detector to lock onto, so play the string firmly and let it ring before trusting the cents reading.
Other 6-string guitar tunings
More tuning references
Frequencies on this page are computed at build time from twelve tone equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz, using the twelfth root of two (about 1.059463) per semitone. Nothing is typed in by hand. See the full method and sources. Maintained by FusionStudios. Last reviewed: .