• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: Again about open tunings

In the drop D topic, I read that the Rolling Stones play "start me up" in drop D.
Isn't it so that most players, playing in open tuning versus the normal tuning need 2 guitars?
I can't imagine that when you perform, you need to tune your guitar from open to normal, and back to open, you do it with only 1 guitar.
A guitar in open tuning is amazing to play, but can one play almost every song in open tuning?
Like Bob Dylan's songs, or the good old Neil Young? 
CAN YOU PLAY ALMOST EVERY SONG IN OPEN TUNING OR IS IT BETTER TO PLAY IN A CLASSIC TUNING?

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gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Again about open tunings

Most of the experienced musicians dont need two guitars they can retune a E string up one interval from D to E without pausing and in most cases while there soloing I like to do this as an effect smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

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

Re: Again about open tunings

Russell_Harding wrote:

Most of the experienced musicians dont need two guitars they can retune a E string up one interval from D to E without pausing and in most cases while there soloing I like to do this as an effect smile

This.  I've seen dudes change tunings while they're playing a song!

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jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Again about open tunings

Jerome some can, it just depends on if you can hear the new tunnings in your head,one of the things I like to do is while im playing is tune the strings to a major or minor 7th and use a slide it sounds cool and as long as your up on theory changing back is no problem smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: Again about open tunings

Hey Russ,  I can tell when I go out of tune but I sure can't tune back up while playing or change tunings I'm just glad I can plug away with a few simple songs.Although maybe if some one was carrying the beat it would be easier otherwise I would be a fumbling fool.

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Again about open tunings

...and then there is this gizmo;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-rjLQM4mMg
 
...and the late, great Michael Hedges(my personal guitar GOD) using the trans trem like no other;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9icZV3YIrDA&NR=1

.....oh what the heck, one more;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYXfSMgHvm8&NR=1

...last one, I promise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMlWggxC2tQ&NR=1


edited to add (2/4/09 app 2pm EST)

Give everything but up.

7 Reply by mrjay (edited by mrjay 2009-02-04 19:22:44)

  • mrjay
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2007-04-19
  • Posts: 174

Re: Again about open tunings

Hey Doc,

I believe it's possible to transpose, at least, most songs to an open tuning. Actually, it's a lot of fun and very interesting to see how different the song can sound. The following link is an example of this. It's a cover of Rihana's Umbrella by a band called Boyce Avenue on Youtube. I think he plays it in Open D tuning. I like this version a lot more than the original, but that's just me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5paQ9BwF … annel_page