• From: Wellington New Zealand
  • Registered: 2010-03-24
  • Posts: 1,388

Topic: alternate tuning

Gidday,i`ve been thinking about trying some alternate tunings.
I don`t know anything about it,when retuned are the chord shapes the same as standard tunings
or are they different shapes.
thanx.

The King Of Audio Torture
  • From: Western Australia (born in NZ)
  • Registered: 2011-04-18
  • Posts: 322

Re: alternate tuning

I would assume that they would be different shapes. If, for example you played a D chord with alternate tunings it would'nt be a D chord.

"Where you begin doesn't matter. Your willingness to start is what counts."
Without music life would be a mistake.
Country music is three chords and the truth.
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  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: alternate tuning

My take on alternative tunings is:

The guitar is re-tuned to play a chord with all open strings. Then someone can work out the order of where to press a finger along a fret and strum to make it sound like he can actually play the guitar.

I sit back and wait to be shot down in flames lol

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Western Australia (born in NZ)
  • Registered: 2011-04-18
  • Posts: 322

Re: alternate tuning

I'm getting out my gun now. smile

"Where you begin doesn't matter. Your willingness to start is what counts."
Without music life would be a mistake.
Country music is three chords and the truth.
cool cool cool cool cool cool
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: alternate tuning

There are several alternate tunings one is open D that requires dropping the low E string a whole step to D I use this in several of my songs (Aleta for one) you have to finger the G chord by placing a finger on the 5th fret the rest remain the same,another one is DADGAG and no Roger alternate tunings are not entirely based on chords its a way of expressing modal moods or themes. these are some smile
http://sethares.engr.wisc.edu/alternate … nings.html

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: alternate tuning

OK in all seriousness I have never tried alternative tuning.

I know some people use alternative tuning to great effect but I have been playing standard tuning for 50 years and I am still learning so I do not want to confuse what few brain cells I have left with different tunings.

Roger

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: alternate tuning

I just picked up a lap steel guitar (sweet!) and they're usually tuned open.  The slide helps to not have to learn chord shapes, but it's fun.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: alternate tuning

Theres also nashville tuning, where you put all high e or high b strings on your guitar and tune it like normal so all the notes sounds in the same octave...

http://www.guitartips.addr.com/tip164.html