[Sector9]

hi all... can anyone just give a list of the different ways to tune the guitar.....

for example... if i want to tune a 1/2 step down.... whats it called (drop D?)..and if im in open g tuning..whats the step ratio ( ie. 2 steps up or down..)
i would be super stoked if someone could put it in laymans terms for me, because i now have 3 guitars..and im toying with the idea of leaving them all tuned differently, im getting bored with standard E tunings:)



thx a bunch

[okiejohn]

A half step down wouldn't be dropped D, but would just be called a half step down. The strings would be tuned to the same notes as with standard tuning except they would all be flat Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Bb,eb.

Some folks also tune down a whole step....the strings would than be tuned to D,G,C,F,A,d.

There are open tunings, open D is D,A,D,F#,A,d

Open D minor is D,A,D,F,A,d.

If you are using an acoustic, and I assume you are, you can tune to open D, then capo the second fret and play things written for open E

Open G tuning is D,G,D,G,B,d.

You can tune to open G and capo the second fret and play tunes written for open A.

Open A is E,A,E,A,C#,e.

Open E is E,B,E,G#,B,e.

Those are the more popular alternate tunings....now ole Dad can tell you some more.

[dadfad]

-Half-step down is just that... relative-standard, a half-step down. As if you had a capo on the first fret, tuned it to standard, then removed the capo.
-Dropped-D is dropping the 6-string only a full step to DADGBE.
-Open-D (often called Dadfad tuning) is tuned down to DADF#AD
-Open-G is tuned down to DGDGBD
-Open D-minor is DADFAD (not to be confused with the tuning called Dadfad)
-Open-E (EBEG#BE) is similar to open-D. It plays and fingers identically, just a step higher in pitch (like putting a capo on the second fret if you're in open-D)
-Open-A (EAEAC#E) is just like open-G but a step higher.
-Dadgad Tuning is DADGAD, a modal tuning often used for Celtic, folk, etc.

Those are some of the most common ones you'll come across.


Okie, ya beat me to it by this much |<------>| !

This post has been edited by dadfad: 19 August 2004 - 01:33 PM

[Sector9]

thx guys:

i like the half step down method ( i just capo the 1st and tune regularly
im also quite interested in a whole step down...is it simply just capo on the second..and regular tuning?

great help tho thanks alot!

[okiejohn]

thx guys:

i like the half step down method ( i just capo the 1st and tune regularly
im also quite interested in a whole step down...is it simply just capo on the second..and regular tuning?

great help tho thanks alot!

Yep, but remember to take the capo off, or you'll just be spinnin your wheels.

[goldrush]

To tune a whole step down it would be easier to tune the low E to a D, then move on to the other strings (use a tuner if you have one). The tuning would then be: DGCFAD.

An "open" tuning means that when you strum the strings without fingering them with your left hand it produces a chord (A for open A, G for open G, etc.).

[okiejohn]

-Half-step down is just that... relative-standard, a half-step down. As if you had a capo on the first fret, tuned it to standard, then removed the capo.
-Dropped-D is dropping the 6-string only a full step to DADGBE.
-Open-D (often called Dadfad tuning) is tuned down to DADF#AD
-Open-G is tuned down to DGDGBD
-Open D-minor is DADFAD (not to be confused with the tuning called Dadfad)
-Open-E (EBEG#BE) is similar to open-D. It plays and fingers identically, just a step higher in pitch (like putting a capo on the second fret if you're in open-D)
-Open-A (EAEAC#E) is just like open-G but a step higher.
-Dadgad Tuning is DADGAD, a modal tuning often used for Celtic, folk, etc.

Those are some of the most common ones you'll come across.


Okie, ya beat me to it by this much |<------>| !

Ya gotta get up awful early in the mornin to get one ahead of ole Dad.