[DerekSlide]

Ok can some one help me out here?


I thought I knew the basic of key signatures but I guess I don't.


If the tuning is DADAAD, that would be the key of A and not D right?


So how can I keep the same tuning DADAAD and make it the key of c?

"I thought if I made the first root note a c then it would be the key of C but everyone is telling me no.

[Kirk Lorange]

Tunings have nothing to do with keys, DS. You need to brush up on some basic theory.

May I suggest you stick to standard tuning while learning about keys? Open tunings make it a lot harder to understand all that stuff.

[DerekSlide]

Hi Kirk, Thanks for the reply but I don't know anything in standard tuning any more and I can't remember how to get back to standard tuning unless I look at a place that has a reference sheet for standard tuning.


Is Standard tuning e a d g b e?

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by DerekSlide

Hi Kirk, Thanks for the reply but I don't know anything in standard tuning any more and I can't remember how to get back to standard tuning unless I look at a place that has a reference sheet for standard tuning.


Is Standard tuning e a d g b e?

That's standard tuning Derek, if you're tuning by ear, this will help.

Online tuner

Cheers

Chris

[DerekSlide]

Thanks Chris, but I'm tuning by a chromatic tuner and also by ear. Although my tuner is better then my ear.

Anyways I've tried what kirk said and I couldn't get back to standard tuning it just sounded like it was out of tune "even though the tuner said different"



guess I'm used to DADAAD tuning LOL.

[starsailor]

Interesting Derek, have you always played that guitar in alternate tunings right from the day you started, don't know if you want to check the intonation on your guitar, tune your guitar to standard using the tuner play the low E open and then fret at the 12th should play the same note then repeat down the strings ADGBE, just a thought. if it was in tune on the alternates it should be ok but it might be out, then it's really down to your tuner and your ear, don't suppose you could post a sample of what you're hearing, might help if we can have a listen.

[DerekSlide]

Originally Posted by starsailor

Interesting Derek, have you always played that guitar in alternate tunings right from the day you started, don't know if you want to check the intonation on your guitar, tune your guitar to standard using the tuner play the low E open and then fret at the 12th should play the same note then repeat down the strings ADGBE, just a thought. if it was in tune on the alternates it should be ok but it might be out, then it's really down to your tuner and your ear, don't suppose you could post a sample of what you're hearing, might help if we can have a listen.

Yup Chris I have played in DADDAD since day one when I've started. and I had my guitar "my electric in the shop 2 weeks ago and intonation and it seems fine."

Same exact deal with my acoustic my baby. However when I pluck the strings right away I can hear that they're out of tune and tune it right away.



but then again weather could be playing habick with the neck right?

[Kirk Lorange]

Derek, a good way to think a 'key' is as a 'family of notes and chords'. The notes are the 7 scale notes, the chords are the 7 generated from that scale. So you need to know which chords are which and where to play them on the fretboard. Open tunings are not the most practical way of doing that. Any key can be played in any tuning, but standard tuning is the one that makes it easiest. Open tunings tend to favor certain keys which is not always helpful. Your example of playing in C but using that odd tuning would make for very awkward chord positions.

You're making it a lot harder on yourself than it really is but limiting yourself to an open tuning that consists solely of roots and fifths.

[DerekSlide]

Originally Posted by Kirk Lorange

Derek, a good way to think a 'key' is as a 'family of notes and chords'. The notes are the 7 scale notes, the chords are the 7 generated from that scale. So you need to know which chords are which and where to play them on the fretboard. Open tunings are not the most practical way of doing that. Any key can be played in any tuning, but standard tuning is the one that makes it easiest. Open tunings tend to favor certain keys which is not always helpful. Your example of playing in C but using that odd tuning would make for very awkward chord positions.

You're making it a lot harder on yourself than it really is but limiting yourself to an open tuning that consists solely of roots and fifths.

I see what your saying Kirk, I'm probably going to have my teacher work on chords with me for an hour tomorrow for my lesson.

[6string]

Originally Posted by DerekSlide

Yup Chris I have played in DADDAD

Would that be called 'Double Dad'?

[DerekSlide]

6string I guess it would LOL.

it's all good, by the way I've finally getting Old friend nailed enough that I'll be able to record it soon with out any mistakes.

Anyways getting back on topic, I'm actually going to have my teacher teach me a few jazz chords and turn them in to the blues like my fav guitarist has "Derek Trucks"


Oh crap I've just noticed I made an ass out of my self "the tuning is DADAAD" not double dad LOL so please forgive me.

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by DerekSlide

but then again weather could be playing habick with the neck right?

Yeah, I think the Weather affects guitars more in the U.S.A. and warmer climates, in the UK the Weathers pretty consistent (it rains most of the time) and we don't have the humidity problems that other Countries have so the UKs pretty guitar friendly that way, how often do you get your guitar checked, quite impressed by that, mind you, you have some nice guitars, most of mine are old beaters really so I just maintain them myself, I think it would be different if I had more expensive guitars but it's hard to justify the cost when they're not worth a lot.

Interested in your approach to learning, have you ever played in Standard tuning or do you prefer alternate tuning, I believe a lot of slide players like open tunings, I've seen a few sites that say it's easier to get chords in open tunings so easier to learn guitar, I always assumed that you learn to play in standard tuning then move on to experiment with alternate tunings but there are a lot of sites giving lessons using open tunings only, I just wondered if this causes problems in jam sessions etc. I know a lot of bands mess around with open tunings but it's harder to find tabs for these so I was just wondering if it's the best way to learn but I do realize it is an individual thing and depends where a player wants to go with their music, does learning in open only limit you in learning about keys, scales, modes etc. some of the sites say it's easier to chord and play power chords but I was curious on how it affects learning music theory, this is probably a question that needs it's own thread as I am interested in members opinions on this subject, just curious.

Cheers

Chris

[Fretsource]

In theory, the tuning has no bearing on learning keys, chords, scales, etc. You could tune to DDDDDD and still learn all there is to know about chords, scales, keys, etc.
In practice, though, it's a different matter. Standard tuning is called standard for a reason. It's very user friendly and opens up fingering possiblities that cover the whole range of music - that's why it became "standard".
Altered tunings have certain advantages but only in some very specific areas and it's in those specific contexts that they are used. One of my favourite altered tunings is DADGAD. It produces a distinct "folky" sound that sounds great in that type of music. But in other contexts it would sound completely inappropriate - and technically might not be up to the job anyway.

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by Fretsource

In theory, the tuning has no bearing on learning keys, chords, scales, etc. You could tune to DDDDDD and still learn all there is to know about chords, scales, keys, etc.
In practice, though, it's a different matter. Standard tuning is called standard for a reason. It's very user friendly and opens up fingering possiblities that cover the whole range of music - that's why it became "standard".
Altered tunings have certain advantages but only in some very specific areas and it's in those specific contexts that they are used. One of my favourite altered tunings is DADGAD. It produces a distinct "folky" sound that sounds great in that type of music. But in other contexts it would sound completely inappropriate - and technically might not be up to the job anyway.

Yeah that's a good tuning, I'm trying to learn a song called Man of Constant Sorrow at the moment, that's in DADGAD. (I hope)

I'm no expert as I haven't been playing that long but I always looked at standard tuning as a foundation stone for playing guitar which you then built on as you became more experienced so I was quite surprised to see sites solely dedicated to teaching with alternate tunings such as DADF#AD, is it best to learn standard first or can you get by with just using open tunings, this is kind of knocking my approach to playing should a person learn in standard and move on or take the open tuning route is it all down to the individual and what they want to get out of playing guitar?

[Fretsource]

Even if we discount the advantages that have led to EADGBE becoming the standard tuning, the fact that it IS now the standard means you can go into any music shop and try out all the guitars without having to retune them. You can buy any of thousands of song books, sheet music and tuition methods, including Plane talk and know that they're in a language that you will understand.
So, yes, I'd say "standard" should be the foundation tuning for all learners.