When My Babys Beside Me

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 “When My Babys Beside Me”:

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

"When My Babys Beside Me" by Big Star 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. Big Star uses this same tuning on 1 other song in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

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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.

Big Star’s Guitar Tunings

Big Star plays 2 of 5 songs in our catalog in Open G Tuning. Most-used tunings:

Open G TuningD - G - D - G - B - D2 songs
Custom Tuning (F#BEAC#F#)F#BEAC#F#1 song
Bb Standard TuningBb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - Bb1 song
Custom Tuning (GCFA#DG)GCFA#DG1 song

Gear for Open G Tuning

Strings and tools that make playing "When My Babys Beside Me" 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.

View strings

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.

View winder

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“When My Babys Beside Me” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "When My Babys Beside Me" by Big Star in?

"When My Babys Beside Me" 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 "When My Babys Beside Me"?

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.