Aside from the standard EADGBE tuning for guitar, there are other ways of twistin' up them strings and really having some fun! "Dropped" tunings ... "Modal" tunings ... "Open" tunings ... and "Transposed" tunings have been around since the dawn of time -- you'll find the details of each in the tutorial, titled "I Gotcher Tunings ... Right Here." Basically, these tuning styles create a different sound for the guitar ... most notably, a droning effect -- due to certain strings/notes ringing through chord changes and creating chordal modifications that would never occur using a standard tuning. Once you familiarize yourself with one of these tunings, all the others become mere variations of the same theme. Therefore, although I'll be covering all the various tunings in greater and greater detail as this site grows ... and it shouldn't matter which one you're using as you peruse these tutorials ... I tend to favor one very particular tuning:
"MY" Open G Tuning
Open tunings are called such, because when you strum the guitar in it's "open" position -- meaning no chords being fingered with the left hand -- you have a ready-made chord. That is to say, if you strum all six strings, by themselves, you'll hear a chord. If you produce a G chord, you've got an "Open G Tuning." If you produce a Bm chord, you've got an "Open Bm Tuning," etc. There's not really anything "easier" about using an open tuning, as compared to any of the others ... however, an open tuning can give you a bit more freedom to do some things that the other tunings just won't allow:
G - G - D - G - B - D
The open G tuning I use is quite unique and original in it's design. I've never seen anyone use this tuning, or anything like it, and so I believe I can safely say it's "mine." It's a simple little twist I put on the standard open G tuning, by simply twisting the #6 string UP to a "G" instead of DOWN to the usual "D" -- but that "simple little twist" makes a pretty big difference in the sound of the open G ... and in the resulting playing style, as well. The #6 and #5 strings, being tuned to the same note, have the tendency to phase in and out of frequencies with each other ... creating a really phat bottom, in the process. The perfect example of this, can be heard in the first four measures of "Naked Moon." (if you don't have a RealAudio G2 Player, you can get one [HERE] for free)
I divided the six strings into two sections: The first section, the #6 and #5 strings, acts as a droning bass and percussion effect ... while the second section, the #4, #3, #2, and #1 strings, presents the usual chording and rhythm guitar effect. This style of playing presents a nice full rhythm and percussion sound to the guitar that would be impossible to achieve with only one guitar and a standard tuning. At times, it sounds as if two guitars are playing ... and indeed, two guitar parts are being presented.
Another thing I like about the Open G Tuning, is the fact that you can pretty much use all the same chord fingerings that you know from the standard tuning. So, if you are already a guitarist, the open G tuning will be very easy for you to adopt ... and if you are learning to play for the first time, you won't be entirely lost when you decide to use a standard tuning. Cool? I think so!
GENERAL RULE OF THUMB:
Don't use any finger positions on the #6, #5, and #1 strings
Keep those open ...
and finger positions from the standard tuning will work:
For example (see above): The C chord from the Standard Tuning, sits in the same place on the Open G Tuning ... but one position (#5 string) is not fretted ... you play all six strings, and wind up hearing a C9 chord, with a G bass.
I use this particular tuning the most, perhaps because it's so adaptable to/from the standard guitar tuning ... it really doesn't matter much, because the right- and left-hand techniques are the same no matter which tuning is applied. But each tuning presents it's own distinct and very exciting language ... it's own individual personality ... it's own unique "mood" - and having over 20 different tunings to play around with, makes for easy access to renewed inspiration whenever you feel the need for a change of pace.
If you want to experiment, head on over to "I Gotcher Tunings ... Right Here" and see what happens! I'll be adding links that will give you all the chord-fingerings for each tuning, as requests for each come in ... if you want to make a request, you can email me at alan@alanhorvath.com
Alan Horvath has been writing songs, performing, and recording as an acoustic rock artist for many moons.
If you want to know more, you can visit his site: AlanHorvath.Com
