John Henry Variations
Required String Notes:D - A - D - F# - A - D
Tune to Open D TuningHow to Tune from Standard to Open D Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “John Henry Variations”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | A2 | Leave as is |
| String 4 | D3 | D3 | Leave as is |
| String 3 | G3 | F#3 | Tune down a half step |
| String 2 | B3 | A3 | Tune down a whole 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
"John Henry Variations" by John Fahey is played in Open D Tuning (D - A - D - F# - A - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 3 down to F#, string 2 down to A, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. 76 other songs in our catalog use Open D Tuning.
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Tunings Close to Open D Tuning
Already tuned to D - A - D - F# - A - D? These tunings are just one small change away.
DADGAD Celtic Tuning44 songs
D - A - D - G - A - DOnly string 3 differs: G instead of F#.Open D Minor / Crossnote25 songs
D - A - D - F - A - DOnly string 3 differs: F instead of F#.Open E Tuning20 songs
E - B - E - G# - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.Custom Tuning (C#G#C#FG#C#)20 songs
C#G#C#FG#C#Same chord shapes, every string a half step lower.John Fahey’s Guitar Tunings
John Fahey plays 1 of 18 songs in our catalog in Open D Tuning. Most-used tunings:
Gear for Open D Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "John Henry Variations" in Open D Tuning 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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“John Henry Variations” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "John Henry Variations" by John Fahey in?
"John Henry Variations" is played in Open D Tuning: D - A - D - F# - A - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "John Henry Variations"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a whole step (E2 → D2). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → F#3). String 2: tune down a whole step (B3 → A3). String 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Open D Tuning?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
More Songs by John Fahey
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by John Fahey:
Other Songs in Open D Tuning
Once tuned to D - A - D - F# - A - D, try playing these tracks next: