marcyrick
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My main instrument is: Guitar
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Post by marcyrick on May 19, 2013 16:18:30 GMT
I've been experimenting with all kinds of different instruments recently because I'm really enjoying he different sounds, but my main goal is to play the guitar tuned differently from standard tuning, but don't know how to go about it without sounding like a dying cat. any tips on good tuning to use?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on May 19, 2013 17:34:52 GMT
Well, you could try 'dropped D' to begin with, and then perhaps move onto DADGAD?
These are both great tunings. I use dropped D a lot, and with DADGAD you really do get a unique sound.
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Post by markthomson on May 19, 2013 17:40:14 GMT
Hi Marcy, you have a multitude of choices!
Try starting off with dropped D (DADGBE) which gives you a wider range, but still allows you to play many chords you are familiar with, you could then progress on to double dropped D (DADGBD).
My own personal favourite is DADGAD, which is pretty versatile and also ambiguous in terms of Major/Minor, which can be an advantage.
Others to explore are; CGDGCD (Orkney / Csus2) CGDGAD ("El McMeen" tuning) CGCFCD (Csus4add9) CGCGCE (Open C) / CGCGCEb (Open Cm) DADF#AD (Open D) / DADFAD (Open Dm) DGDGBD (Open G) / DGDGBbD (Open Gm)
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on May 19, 2013 18:09:22 GMT
I'd want to ask a question of you first Marcy, before replying to yours! Why do you want to use different tuning(s)? I'm not suggesting at all that you shouldn't, but what do you want to achieve from this exploration? Instrumental inspiration? Songwriting inspiration/variety? Strummy sounds? Fingerpicked sounds? etc etc. It really would help to know your goals in order to make achievable recommendations that will be useful to you. Keith
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stevedingle
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My main instrument is: Lowden O-25
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Post by stevedingle on Nov 12, 2013 15:16:55 GMT
Mark Thomson's reply above is a good comprehensive list of the most commonly used open/altered tunings. They are great for just forgetting all your usual chord shapes and just 'messing around' on the guitar to learn how it sounds. dadgad particularly as it is a modal tuning (not major or minor) is very good for just sitting down at the end of the day and letting your fingers wander around and see what sounds you can create. Don't forget that with some tunings such as dadgad (low to high) and dgdgbd, there are some strings still set as standard so the 'standard' chord shapes on these strings still work.
I liken open tunings to giving an artist a new pallet of paints that he did not have before. Beware though, you will snap strings! Good excuse to buy more than one guitar and leave them in different tunings! Steve
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