10 replies to this topic

[codazoda]

My electric guitar has been tuned at Standard E (using a chromatic tuner). I dig the lower sounds of a bass guitar and have considered learning it instead (I'm just 6 weeks in).

I read about Standard E minus 1/2 (flat?) and thought that might be for me. When you tune this way though are you supposed to play differently (a fret higher) so that the song sounds identical to the original? I realize you can play a song in a different key. Is that all I'm doing?

Is the same true of other tunings (which seem a lot different than just a 1/2 step down).

Joel

[tinsmith]

Try DADGAD...it's similar to what you were just discussing

[codazoda]

With that tuning, do I play exactly the same way I've been playing (same strings on the same frets) or do I need to learn to play different finger positions for the different tunings? That might be what I want, since I like blues, and (if I remember correctly) that's a common blues tuning.

[codazoda]

I just tuned to DADGAD (at least, i think I did) and I'm in love. Happy to have the high strings brought down an even happier with the super low E (6th) string. That's more of the "bass" sound I was looking for. My chord formations do not sound right in this tuning, so, I've got some other stuff to learn/try.

I also stumbled on the slide that's common in this tuning. I don't have one, so I grabbed a pill bottle an improvised. This is something I need to explore.

Joel

[eddiez152]

Dropped D is a great tuning method too. Everything is standard except for the 6th string is is dropped to D

[mset3]

Codazoda,

As a beginner, I would recommend you stick to the standard E tuning. Once you know your way around the guitar a little bit, then you can experiment with Dropped D or other tunings.

Mike

[karcey]

If you tune your low E string down to D, then the finger positions on that string become the same as the positions on the other D string. That's why the chords you've learned so far sound wrong. If you drop your A string down to G as well as dropping your E to D, you'll have your fretboard neatly divided with four strings for the melody and two very nice bass strings. The note positions on those two lowered strings are the same as on their namesakes on the high side of the fretboard.
Alternate tunings are both fun and convenient because they allow you to play tunes that may not be so easy to manage with standard tuning.
I'm not sure that it's a good idea to go this way so early in your musical career. I'd be tempted to give standard tuning a good bash first, using the vast amount of instruction available. There's not so much available for non-standard tunings. Whatever you choose, keep at it and keep in touch.

[tinsmith]

DADGAD is kinda like a minor Open D. In fact just tune the G down to F# & you're set.

[codazoda]

I'll go back to standard while I learn. I really dig the flatter notes though. I turned every string down two stops so I could play all the same chords and things lower and I like that, but not as well as DADGAD. I also messed with an improvised slide; love it.

I better learn regular standard guitar first, but I have a feeling I'm going to end up playing something more like DADGAD with a slide.

Joel

[DavidStHubbins]

I've only been playing since Christmas, but I occasionally go into open-G (DGDGBD) to fool around with Rolling Stones stuff (there are some useful videos on YouTube on how to play 'Tumbling Dice', 'Honky Tonk Women' etc.). It's an absolute joy, and it's incredibly easy to get that signature Keith Richards sound. But it's just a diversion: after a day or two I'll revert to standard tuning and continue slogging through my lessons.

[allthumbs]

Tuning down 1/2 step is called slack string tuning, SRV played everything in slack. A lot of players do. The advantage is you can then put on thicker strings and still manage bends etc. with much better tone. The down side is you can only jam with ppl who have tuned down half a step also unless you can transpose up a half step on the fly.
Hard to keep straight in your head