[chorizo]

I often come across songs where the setup notes say "tune down by 1 semitone". Is this done to compliment the singer's range (similar to using a capo)?

Also, this means that with tuning adjusted, the chords played are actually 1 semitone lower than the chord names shown in the music.

Does this mean that to play along with standard tuning you would have to play all chords shown 1 semitone lower.

If so why is the whole thing not just played in a key a semitone lower instead of messing around with tuning.

Am i missing something? Should this be obvious?

[Stratrat]

Yes, it would have the same effect as capo'ing "down" (if that were possible). With the tuning adjusted, you'd play them just as the music shows. If it's tab or chord charts, they'll hopefully make it easy by just listing the chords you'll be playing in the alternate tuning (i.e. showing a 'G' where it's actually a 'Gb', etc.).

The problem with just playing a semitone down in standard tuning is that you're going to introduce a lot of flat chords, which makes playing the song more difficult. For songs that you could formerly play using 'cowboy chords' (open chords), they now all have to be barre chords.

An alternative is to capo up to the desired key and sing an octave lower. It may sound funny for some songs, may work for others.

[chorizo]

Muchas gracias!!

[allthumbs]

Tuning down to C is pretty much as low as you can go without the strings being too slack to play. Hendrix did that on an acoustic version of one of his tune when he wanted a really low droning bass.
Slack tuning is also popular because you can do big bends much easier on loose strings under less tension. It also means you can use thicker strings without increasing the string tension thus , making it easier to bend heavier gauge astrings.

[chorizo]

wow! must try that. Does that mean tuning the E down to C and others relative to that? Might keep one guitar like that for the more "bend intensive" songs.

[allthumbs]

yes, everything is tuned down relative. Many guitars can't be tuned C.The strings just get to floppy. Tuning that low is more of a novelty. Most settle for 1/2 step down. Stevie Ray Vaughn plays in Eb. Keep in mind that unless you put on a capo or transpose your chords , you will be playing flat when you play along with music or other players playing standard tuning.