Alternate Tunings.........
Information about alternative tunings and a link below for an online tuner that does standard tuning as well as alternative tunings.
Alternate Guitar Tunings Introduction by Dave Long
Most new guitarists are overly suspicious of
alternate guitar tunings.
The major stumbling block is the need to re-tune the guitar which can be a pain. This is especially true for new guitarists who have enough trouble tuning the guitar to standard tuning.
Before we get started I better point out that standard tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E.
Alternate guitar tunings tend to be named for a variety of reasons.
Open tunings are normally called after the chord which sounds when you play the open strings (open D tuning is D-A-D-G-A-D).
Sometimes tunings are named after the instrument that tunes the same way and sometimes tunings are just pick up names (think of Drop D tuning.There are also several tunings named after the songs that inspired them)
Advantages of alternate guitar tunings
The most obvious advantage is that with different pitches on the open strings we have a whole new variety of sounds and chords we can use to express ourselves.
It's really a lot of fun playing around with different riffs that were impossible before and for a lot of guitarists playing alternate tunings is the first time they come across the concept of modes.
Also, in some cases songs may be very difficult to play in standard tuning. Once you start using internet tabs (especially guitar pro tabs) you'll notice that some tabs are impossible to play because your fingers are not made of rubber.
The reason for this is the songs were probably originally written and played in alternate guitar tuning. The tab has been transcribed into standard tuning. I have to admit I sometimes wonder if people do this on purpose to frustrate beginners.
The same holds true for a lot of simple chord songs. If you ever come across chords progressions like D, D/C, D/B, D/A or A, A/G, A/F#, A/F you should suspect an open chord Celtic Guitar type of tuning.
Chord progressions like the ones above can be played in an open tuning using just one finger to change the bass note. In standard tuning playing the same progression requires all four fingers and sometimes the thumb!
http://www.howtotuneaguitar.org/
Until next time....anda one and atwo....Jake
Hard to find gear manual's....
