I just don't get dropped D tuning

Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

The "drop D sounds heavier" argument is pretty invalid, IMO.


Which band is heavier: Opeth or In Flames?


I'd have to say Opeth, and they tune to standard/open D, where In Flames is in C/drop Bb.

It's all about how you write, how you structure your chords and phrasing.

That said, it's quite easy to hide behind the instant "heavier/cooler" sound of dropped tunings, and I honestly think it promotes incredibly un-musical writing. Take anything Meshuggah's ever done and do in in E standard - it'll sound like ass!
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

Convenience also plays a factor. It's **** easy to just drop the low E to D and back again instead of retuning every string.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

Virtual Kevorkian said:
The "drop D sounds heavier" argument is pretty invalid, IMO.


Which band is heavier: Opeth or In Flames?


I'd have to say Opeth, and they tune to standard/open D, where In Flames is in C/drop Bb.

It's all about how you write, how you structure your chords and phrasing.

That said, it's quite easy to hide behind the instant "heavier/cooler" sound of dropped tunings, and I honestly think it promotes incredibly un-musical writing. Take anything Meshuggah's ever done and do in in E standard - it'll sound like ass!
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All things equal, Drop D IS heavier sounding. It's one of those things that shouldn't make sense but it does. If you play the same riff in standard and Drop D, it will sound different. That's why I also mentioned the Eb vs. E. If you play a riiff on a piano, then transcribe it down a half step, it just sound a half step lower. Becasue of the change in string tension with slack tunings you get a different sound in addition to it being in a lower key. (I realize "heavier" is an interpretation, that's how I interpret the change in sound. I can see if your adjective is different, but you have to agree with the difference in sound)
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

Lower tunings due tend to sound heavier. Tuning down in and of itself does not equal heaviness, but if you're heavy to begin with, and you start loosening the strings, it will get heavier.

Yes, I believe that Opeth (and whatever metal bands play in standard) would sound heavier with lower tunings.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

millsart said:
I do read a bunch about how its the greatest thing since sliced bread though because it makes playing so much easier because you can use one finger. Whatever works for people works for people, and more power to them if so, however, I guess thats the one thing that really always struck me the part I don't get becaue as I said, I always found it harder, not easier.

Its that conscience need to remember that I need to change the postion of my fret hand to the "easier" postion on one string but then fret it normally on the next.

Maybe I just need to tune to it and keep it there for a week or more and really get used to it. I always do it and tune back after about 30 minutes of jamming because it just doesnt seem to work.

Perhaps I just haven't given it enough of a chance
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It certainly makes things easier for certain styles. It can be a hindrance as well for lead playing if your licks / shapes involve the low string a lot, though.

The thing I like about it for heavy music is that it allows that open D chord pedal tone for certain riffs. The downside is that, for a lot of people, that means all their riffs are in the key of D.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

CapoFirstFret said:
Actually Drop D was a favorite of folk singers and classical players LONG before heavy music ever came around. By dropping that D down, it opens up another world of keys that you can use a lower note (the D obviously) for.

It also offers a low D drone for modal work as well. It's actually a very useful tuning as is double drop D
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+1

I really like drop D for fingerpicked acoustic stuff, as well as for slide. With slide it's like you get the benefits of an open tuning on the lower three strings, but can still play solos like you're used to. The problem with drop D seems to be that a lot of people overuse the '1-finger powerchord' thing too much.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

It used to be my standard tunning, I have found it usefull for using to give bigger chords a different sound and when using it and double dropped D with a capo i have come up with some beautiful acoustic stuff. It got too be to overused and now that i have a seven string i raely use it. anymore. I love dropped A.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

It's another tool. I like drop D for bigger sounding tones. It makes playing certain chord inversions much easier as well. It's also a fun tuning to "riff out" in. While only three of our 15 song set uses drop D, it's another tool in the box.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

LunaticFringe said:
Question: what's a drone?
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1349767


:werd:
 
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Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

Drop D is good for indian-esque music with that drone and what not. Simple example of that would be The End by The Doors. Of course good for some of that heavy metal stuff, but Drop D and Open D sounds killin with the slide
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

millsart said:
I do certainly understand what dropped D is of course, but I've got to say, everytime I tune to it, I just don't see the appeal. Though I'd share this not to judge anyone that likes it, but simply to hopefully get some different viewpoints and maybe open my eyes to things I've looked over.

I usually play in standard tuning or E flat. I used to play tuned to D back in the day as well though my taste has largely shifted away from heavier music of that style back to more of what I guess you would call "rock"

Anyways, sometimes I'll look up some tab on the internet as I'm not afraid to admit I can't always figure things out by ear and many times some of the songs are in dropped D.

So I'll go and drop the E string down for the heck of it but man, every time I do it, I just don't like it and don't see the point. ]
End of the quote

DROP D is not only the low E it is ALL the string that are tuned one note down :friday:

The interest is that you can use heavier string to sound bigger but still have soupple string that you can bend , and not have cramps in you left hand .

The overall sound is also darker , and in this tuning it is nice to have a 24 frets bridge to compensate in the high register .
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Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

I don't use drop D that often, but I did come up with a cool drop D acoustic riff a few months ago that I have got to write a song around! Sometimes dropping that string and just noodling around or trying a few things helps light the spark of inspiration.

I agree dropping that E string so you can play power chords with one finger is weak. But the riffs that Ty Tabor plays in that tuning for example, are brilliant, creative, and in no way just use the dropped E string as a crutch.

I also agree that it makes it harder to solo if you wanna hit a few notes on the low E string. You just hafta stay on the top 5 strings unless you relearn all your scale patterns on the neck. The low E string would be the same as the D string all the way up, so it wouldn't be that hard.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

millsart said:
I still find it a very tough tuning to "live with" so to speak. I would guess you'd want to have a guitar just for that tuning, or maybe that nifty little EVH designed thing that lets you switch back and forth on the fly. Does they still even sell those as a stand alone item ?
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You're talking about the EHV D-Tuna. Instantly drops from E to D. Yeah, I've tried it and it sucks. Will not stay in tune in either E or D. Thats too bad tho cuz I really like to play in drop D. Instantly being able to drop from E to D in a Floyd Rose equipped guitar would be a godsend. Too bad it was unreliable. My FR never had a problem staying in tune until I installed the D-Tuna. It was removed very quickly.
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

First drop the 6 string to D and just play. Then drop the 1st string to D and just play, then drop your 2nd string to A and your 3rd string to F# and now you have open D. Grab a slide and go.............. Wahoo!
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

fab.regnaut said:
DROP D is not only the low E it is ALL the string that are tuned one note down
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Wouldn't tuning ALL the strings down one step be called tuning to "D" ?

I'm 99.9% sure "Drop D" is simply tuning the low E down to a D. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here...........
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

millsart said:
Wouldn't tuning ALL the strings down one step be called tuning to "D" ?

I'm 99.9% sure "Drop D" is simply tuning the low E down to a D. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here...........
Click to expand...

You are correct. 6th string E down to D
 
Re: I just don't get dropped D tuning

RE: the OP's comment about looking up tab on the net....

I find that Drop D is too common now and I've seen older (80's) songs tabbed by amateurs (It's cool for them as I have trouble by ear) that are indicated to be played in drop D or Drop Db but when you actually play them, they sound nothing like original, but if you use the same chords, in standard tuning, suddenly it sounds right. It's almost like unless they use only that one finger, they can't play a D or a G or whatever...

I could be wrong, but that's what I've observed.
 
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