Open E Minor (Cross-Note) TuningDelta BluesIntermediateNo Capo

Fixin' to Die Blues

byBukka White

Required String Notes:E - B - E - G - B - E
Tune to Open E Minor (Cross-Note) Tuning

Tuning Note Frequencies

Tune each guitar string to these exact pitch frequencies to play “Fixin' to Die Blues”.

StringNote PitchExact Frequency
String 6E282.41 Hz
String 5B2123.47 Hz
String 4E3164.81 Hz
String 3G3196.00 Hz
String 2B3246.94 Hz
String 1E4329.63 Hz

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

A stark 1940 Delta blues classic. Bukka White's cross-note (Open E minor) tuning puts the mournful minor third on an open string, letting him bend and slide between minor and major for the song's haunting, percussive drive.

Key Chord Voicings:

Em: 0-0-0-0-0-0Barre up 3 frets for G
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

More Songs by Bukka White

Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Bukka White:

View all 2 songs
Open E Minor (Cross-Note) TuningIntermediate
E - B - E - G - B - ENo Capo

Other Songs in Open E Minor (Cross-Note) Tuning

Once tuned to E - B - E - G - B - E, try playing these tracks next:

Open E Minor (Cross-Note) TuningIntermediate
E - B - E - G - B - ENo Capo