Traveling Riverside Blues
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 “Traveling Riverside Blues”:
| 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
"Traveling Riverside Blues" by Robert Johnson 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. Robert Johnson uses this same tuning on 6 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.
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#.Robert Johnson’s Guitar Tunings
Robert Johnson plays 7 of 10 songs in our catalog in Open A Tuning. Most-used tunings:
- Open A TuningE - A - E - A - C# - E7 songs
- Custom Tuning (GDGB)GDGB1 song
Gear for Open A Tuning
Strings and tools that make playing "Traveling Riverside Blues" 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.
“Traveling Riverside Blues” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Traveling Riverside Blues" by Robert Johnson in?
"Traveling Riverside Blues" 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 "Traveling Riverside Blues"?
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.
Which other Robert Johnson songs use this tuning?
"Cross Road Blues", "Come On In My Kitchen", "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day", "Last Fair Deal Gone Down", "Milkcows Calf Blues", "Walkin Blues" — all in E - A - E - A - C# - E, so you can play them without retuning.
More Songs by Robert Johnson
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Robert Johnson:
Other Songs in Open A Tuning
Once tuned to E - A - E - A - C# - E, try playing these tracks next: