Open Tunings

[ratherdashing]

After attending a clinic hosted by Gordie Johnson, I started experimenting with open G tuning. I have found that it lends itself well to fingerpicking, rootsy-styled tunes on the acoustic. It took my brain a few minutes to figure out where everything was on the fretboard, but once I did I was able to play chords (major fourth, major fifth, and relative minor) off the open tuning. I also played some lead lines and cool riffs.

I enjoy playing in open tuning once in a while now, because it really changes my approach to the instrument and prevents me from falling into the same ruts I always seem to end up in with standard tuning.

Anyone else enjoy open tunings? When and how do you use them?

 

[willy2763]

Re: Open Tunings

I use open G sometimes just to get a dreamy / ethereal feel. You can really play some crazy lullaby sounding things with that tuning, and it's pretty easy to make it sound good.

If you like acoustic music, check out Mary Flower.
She plays ragtime, but even if that isn't your thing, she has some cool instructional videos on open tunings. This is her website:

http://www.maryflower.com/

She is also on the youtube, but I don't know if the open tuning video is on there. I have seen it though, and it is really cool.

 

[thucydides]

Re: Open Tunings

I've used open d and e. For some reason, I like the way d sounds better. Besides the obvious blues stuff, I used them to write a few rock songs for bands I've been in. For that, I received my inspiration from the Faces.

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Open Tunings

I use open tunings most of the time. I use open G for slide stuff and open D for both slide and a little finger picking. All of my clips are in open tunings, so I'll go ahead and stick one down (forgive me a little, I have a horrible computer mic that makes everything sound crappy and I wasn't exactly playing my best...)

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=5692433 in open G

Open tunings are much more intuitive to me simply because they are what I started on and are still what I spend most of my time messing around on. If you want a couple of other fun tunings, try DADFAD and DGDGA#D, both minor open tunings if I'm correct (got them from Bob Brozman).

 

[CGord]

Re: Open Tunings

I'm currently tuned CGCGCE.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Open Tunings

I don't recall ever using an open tuning. I struggle enough with standard.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Open Tunings

I'm currently tuned CGCGCE.

Open C? That's crazy.

 

[Baltar]

Re: Open Tunings

i was once experimenting with open e and bottleneck on a strat

 

[CGord]

Re: Open Tunings

Open C? That's crazy.

I love it, works much better for me than standard or a drop-D/drop C variant. I was using AEAEAE for awhile, but I wanted to get away from using giant strings.

 

[DesertRat]

Re: Open Tunings

I like a D6 tuning D A D F# B D as well as regular open D (DADF#AD).
Just wrote a song in open Dm DADFAD as well.
CGCGCD is interesting for east indian sounding stuff.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Open Tunings

DADGAD, baby!

 

[sosomething]

Re: Open Tunings

I've written some music in DADGAD... that's about it though.

I think I'm gonna try that open-C, though.

CGord - what are your string gauges for that set-up?

 

[thucydides]

Re: Open Tunings

DADGAD, baby!

I've fooled around w/that, although I haven't played out w/it like I have w/open e and d. A lot of Celtic players use it, so I've tried it. Well, there's something about the timing in their playing that I don't get, so I sound nothing like them. However, I can see where Jimmy Page came up w/some of his acoustic sounds.

 

[CGord]

Re: Open Tunings

I've written some music in DADGAD... that's about it though.

I think I'm gonna try that open-C, though.

CGord - what are your string gauges for that set-up?

10-52

 

[sosomething]

Re: Open Tunings

10-52

Oh, cool. I'm already using 11-52s for Eb standard tuning and drop C#, so it should be a pretty easy adjustment for me.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Open Tunings

I use about 4 "Altered" tunings. I use Open "D", Open "G", G minor, Open E, Open A and a strange tuning that is a Bb 9. Mostly on Acoutics. I use Open E and Open A to play slide on my electrics.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Open Tunings

I've fooled around w/that, although I haven't played out w/it like I have w/open e and d. A lot of Celtic players use it, so I've tried it. Well, there's something about the timing in their playing that I don't get, so I sound nothing like them. However, I can see where Jimmy Page came up w/some of his acoustic sounds.

What in their timing isn't clicking?

The majority of the tunes are either jigs or reels, 3/4 for a jig or 4/4 for a reel.

Check out Al Petteway...brilliant dadagd guitarist.