Death Letter Blues
Required String Notes:D - G - D - G - Bb - D
Tune to Open G MinorHow to Tune from Standard to Open G Minor
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Death Letter Blues”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | G2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 4 | D3 | D3 | Leave as is |
| String 3 | G3 | G3 | Leave as is |
| String 2 | B3 | Bb3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 1 | E4 | D4 | Tune down a whole step |
Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"Death Letter Blues" by Son House is played in Open G Minor (D - G - D - G - Bb - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 5 down to G, string 2 down to Bb, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down.
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Tunings Close to Open G Minor
Already tuned to D - G - D - G - Bb - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open G Tuning59 songs
D - G - D - G - B - DOnly string 2 differs: B instead of A#.DGDGAD Tuning9 songs
D - G - D - G - A - DOnly string 2 differs: A instead of A#.Custom Tuning (DGDGCD)4 songs
DGDGCDOnly string 2 differs: C instead of A#.Custom Tuning (D#GDGA#D)3 songs
D#GDGA#DOnly string 6 differs: D# instead of D.Gear for Open G Minor
Strings and tools that make playing "Death Letter Blues" in Open G Minor easier.
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)
Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner
A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Death Letter Blues” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Death Letter Blues" by Son House in?
"Death Letter Blues" is played in Open G Minor: D - G - D - G - Bb - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Death Letter Blues"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 5: tune down a whole step (A2 → G2). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → Bb3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Open G Minor?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.