Little Red Rooster
Required String Notes:E - A - E - A - C# - E
Tune to Open A TuningHow to Tune from Standard to Open A Tuning
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Little Red Rooster”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | E2 | Leave as is |
| String 5 | A2 | A2 | Leave as is |
| String 4 | D3 | E3 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | A3 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 2 | B3 | C#4 | Tune up a whole step |
| String 1 | E4 | E4 | Leave as is |
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
"Little Red Rooster" by Howlin Wolf is played in Open A Tuning (E - A - E - A - C# - E). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 4 up to E, string 3 up to A, string 2 up to C#. Overall string tension rises, so tune up slowly to avoid breaking strings. 19 other songs in our catalog use Open A Tuning.
Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar
Tunings Close to Open A Tuning
Already tuned to E - A - E - A - C# - E? These tunings are just one small change away.
Open G Tuning59 songs
D - G - D - G - B - DSame chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.Name Alt-Tuning28 songs
D - A - E - A - C# - EOnly string 6 differs: D instead of E.Custom Tuning (EAEABE)1 song
EAEABEOnly string 2 differs: B instead of C#.Custom Tuning (EAEACE)1 song
EAEACEOnly string 2 differs: C instead of C#.Gear for Open A Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "Little Red Rooster" in Open A 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 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
“Little Red Rooster” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Little Red Rooster" by Howlin Wolf in?
"Little Red Rooster" is played in Open A Tuning: E - A - E - A - C# - E, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Little Red Rooster"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 4: tune up a whole step (D3 → E3). String 3: tune up a whole step (G3 → A3). String 2: tune up a whole step (B3 → C#4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Open A Tuning?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
Other Songs in Open A Tuning
Once tuned to E - A - E - A - C# - E, try playing these tracks next:
Open A TuningIntermediate
E - A - E - A - C# - ENo Capo