Tuning the Guitar to Itself
Open E tuning requires the fifth and fourth strings to be raised one tone and the third string to be raised one semitone. This can be done in three steps. The guitar must already be in standard tuning.
Step One
Play the note at the 7th fret, sixth string (a B note). Play the open fifth string (an A note). Turn the fifth string tuning key slowly in an anti-clockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 7th fret, sixth string. The open fifth string will now be a B note.
Step Two
Option 1:
Play the note at the 5th fret, fifth string (now an E note). Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the fourth string tuning key slowly in an anticlockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 5th fret, fifth string. The open fourth string will now be an E note.
Option 2:
Play the note at the 12th fret, sixth string (an E note). Play the open fourth string (a D note). Turn the fourth string tuning key slowly in an anticlockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 12th fret, sixth string. The open fourth string will now be an E note.
Step Three
Play the note at the 4th fret, fourth string (now a G# note). Play the open third string (a G note). Turn the third string tuning key slowly in an anticlockwise direction, raising the pitch of this string until the open string note is the same pitch as the 4th fret, fourth string. The open third string will now be a G# note.
