Rider on the Wheel

Required String Notes:D - G - D - G - B - D

How to Tune from Standard to Open G Tuning

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “Rider on the Wheel”:

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	B3	Leave as is
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

"Rider on the Wheel" by Nick Drake is played in Open G Tuning (D - G - D - G - B - D). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 3 of 6 strings: string 6 down to D, string 5 down to G, string 1 down to D. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 2 semitones down. 58 other songs in our catalog use Open G Tuning.

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Tunings Close to Open G Tuning

Already tuned to D - G - D - G - B - D? These tunings are just one small change away.

Open A Tuning20 songs

E - A - E - A - C# - ESame chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

DGDGBE Tuning (Open G6)17 songs

D - G - D - G - B - EOnly string 1 differs: E instead of D.

Double Drop D Tuning14 songs

D - A - D - G - B - DOnly string 5 differs: A instead of G.

Open G Minor11 songs

D - G - D - G - Bb - DOnly string 2 differs: A# instead of B.

Nick Drake’s Guitar Tunings

Nick Drake plays 1 of 52 songs in our catalog in Open G Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Standard EE - A - D - G - B - E17 songs
Pink Moon ModalC - G - C - F - C - E8 songs
BEBEBEB - E - B - E - B - E6 songs
Nick Drake Modal (DADF#AE)D - A - D - F# - A - E3 songs
Lute / Renaissance TuningE - A - D - F# - B - E3 songs

Gear for Open G Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "Rider on the Wheel" in Open G 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.

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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.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Rider on the Wheel” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Rider on the Wheel" by Nick Drake in?

"Rider on the Wheel" is played in Open G Tuning: D - G - D - G - B - D, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Rider on the Wheel"?

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 1: tune down a whole step (E4 → D4). Leave the other strings as they are.