In this introduction to Open G tuning, let's look at
- what is Open G tuning
- who uses it
- how to play I, IV, V and minor chords
- a slide blues rhythm guitar groove using Open G
- the minor pentatonic scale
- and we'll learn four great blues slide guitar licks in Open G
Learn three of the best blues slide guitar riffs in Open G tuning.
The Red Rooster from Howlin’ Wolf’s “London Sessions” album, with Eric Clapton on guitar. Ventilator Blues from the Rolling Stones’s “Exile on Main Street” album. Led Zeppelin’s version of Travellin’s Riverside Blues with Jimmy Page on slide.
These are three great blues riffs that are fun to play and will be a great addition to your slide guitar repertoire.
Here's a slide guitar lesson on Muddy Waters' version of "Rollin and Tumblin".
This song is in Open A (Open G tuning, capo at fret 2), but I've chosen to teach it in the key of G (without a capo) to make a little more accessible learning the song.
First recorded by Hambone Willie Newbern in 1929, it has become a blues standard, with many versions and variations (including ones by Cream, Jeff Beck and Bob Dylan).
In this slide guitar lesson, let's check out the intro to this great Open G blues song, from Muddy Waters' 1948 recording of “I Can’t Be Satisfied”.
One of my favourite Open G slide guitar songs.
It's not too hard, but there are a few twists and turns :-)
Here's a great Open G blues recorded by Muddy Waters in 1941 (on "The Complete Plantation Recordings").
"Country Blues" was originally recorded as "Walking Blues" by Son House (and later Robert Johnson).
Muddy Waters (who learned the song directly from Son House) recorded it later with slightly different lyrics under the title "Feel Like Goin' Home".