who knows where the time goes
Required String Notes:C - G - D - G - B - D
Tune to Open G VariantHow to Tune from Standard to Open G Variant
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings to play “who knows where the time goes”:
| 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
"who knows where the time goes" by Martin Simpson is played in Open G Variant (C - 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 Variant.
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Tunings Close to Open G Variant
Already tuned to C - 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.Martin Simpson’s Guitar Tunings
Martin Simpson plays 1 of 5 songs in our catalog in Open G Variant. Most-used tunings:
- Open G TuningD - G - D - G - B - D1 song
Gear for Open G Variant
Strings and tools that make playing "who knows where the time goes" in Open G Variant 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.
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“who knows where the time goes” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "who knows where the time goes" by Martin Simpson in?
"who knows where the time goes" is played in Open G Variant: C - G - D - G - B - D, from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "who knows where the time goes"?
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.
What string gauge should I use for Open G Variant?
Use a .010–.046 set. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.
More Songs by Martin Simpson
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by Martin Simpson:
Other Songs in Open G Variant
Once tuned to C - G - D - G - B - D, try playing these tracks next: