Wild Horses
Required String Notes:E - A - D - G - B - E (High)
Tune to Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)How to Tune from Standard to Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings to play “Wild Horses”:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | E3 | Tune up 12 semitones |
| String 5 | A2 | A3 | Tune up 12 semitones |
| String 4 | D3 | D4 | Tune up 12 semitones |
| String 3 | G3 | G4 | Tune up 12 semitones |
| String 2 | B3 | B3 | Leave as is |
| String 1 | E4 | E4 | Leave as is |
Recommended string gauge: .009–.042. Some strings are tuned well above standard, so lighter strings keep tension and neck stress in check.Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042) · affiliate link
Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown
"Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones is played in Nashville Tuning (High-Strung) (E - A - D - G - B - E (High)). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 4 of 6 strings: string 6 up to E, string 5 up to A, string 4 up to D, string 3 up to G. Overall string tension rises, so tune up slowly to avoid breaking strings. 1 other songs in our catalog use Nashville Tuning (High-Strung).
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The Rolling Stones’s Guitar Tunings
The Rolling Stones plays 1 of 10 songs in our catalog in Nashville Tuning (High-Strung). Most-used tunings:
- Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)E - A - D - G - B - E (High)1 song
Gear for Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)
Strings and tools that make playing "Wild Horses" in Nashville Tuning (High-Strung) easier.
Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042)
Recommended gauge .009–.042. Some strings are tuned well above standard, so lighter strings keep tension and neck stress in check.
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 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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“Wild Horses” Tuning FAQ
What tuning is "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones in?
"Wild Horses" is played in Nashville Tuning (High-Strung): E - A - D - G - B - E (High), from the lowest to the highest string.
How do I tune my guitar to play "Wild Horses"?
Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune up 12 semitones (E2 → E3). String 5: tune up 12 semitones (A2 → A3). String 4: tune up 12 semitones (D3 → D4). String 3: tune up 12 semitones (G3 → G4). Leave the other strings as they are.
What string gauge should I use for Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)?
Use a .009–.042 set. Some strings are tuned well above standard, so lighter strings keep tension and neck stress in check.
More Songs by The Rolling Stones
Explore other guitar tunings recorded by The Rolling Stones:
Other Songs in Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)
Once tuned to E - A - D - G - B - E (High), try playing these tracks next: