And he even posted it, albeit in English.
In general, today I decided to touch upon this topic again and consider the most common of them.
It wouldn't hurt to remind you of simple things. If you decide to tune lower, then it is better to take a thicker one, otherwise in some Dropped the usual nine will just dangle and ring on the frets. If you decide to make the tuning of your guitar higher, then in this case you can take thinner strings, because Large gauge strings, in this case, can be very tight. Well, no one has canceled the excess load on the bar either.
Also, if there is a radical change in the system, be prepared to do it again, although you may not have to do this.
So, let's go.
Standard tuning: E-A-D-g-b-e
In standard guitar tuning All the intervals between the strings are perfect fourths (five semitones), with the exception of the interval between the third string (g) and the second string (b), which is a major third (four semitones).
Down a semitone: Eb-Ab-Db-gb-bb-eb
This guitar tuning also called "Eb" - after the note to which the thickest string is tuned. Tuning the guitar is exactly the same as in standard tuning. The sound intervals between the strings remain exactly the same, but the tuning of each string is exactly one semitone lower relative to standard tuning. Eb tuning can be used for many reasons, such as making the strings softer and bending easier, or to better suit a singer's vocal range. There can be many reasons. This tuning was used by Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
On whole tone down: D-G-C-f-a-d
This tuning is also called “Tuning D” - based on the note to which the thickest string is tuned. Everything is the same as in the previous case, except that each string is tuned a tone lower than the standard tuning. This tuning is used for the same reasons as the “E?” tuning, it causes the strings to sag even more and makes bending even easier. At this point I would think about using thicker gauge strings.
If this is not enough for you, then you can continue further. Those. lower or lower each string at an equal interval relative to the standard tuning. The algorithm is simple, the main thing is to choose the appropriate size strings.
Drop-D: D-A-d-g-b-e
Drop-D is probably one of the most popular tunings in hard rock, alternative and other motherfuckers. By the way, folk guitarists do not disdain them either. Although they are generally big fans of alternative and non-standard guitar tunings.
By lowering the low E string one step to D, we can make power chords easier to play. Now they can be played with one finger, simply by plucking three thick strings, the 4th, 5th and 6th, respectively. Drop-D tuning gives a meatier sound and extends the overall range of the guitar towards the bottom compared to standard tuning.
By the way, this system does not require a large and lengthy restructuring, which allows you to change the system right on the fly, with the proper skill, of course.
To facilitate this procedure, a special device was even invented and made - the D Tuner, which will allow you to literally rebuild the sixth string in a second.
Double Drop-D: D-A-d-g-b-d
Double drop D is Neil Young's favorite tuning. It is identical to the regular Drop-D, except that the high e is also lowered one tone from the standard tuning - to d. With this setup, it turns out that the 4th high strings form a G major chord, and this can be convenient when playing with a slide. This tuning is also quite quick and easy to get from the standard one.
Drop-C: C-G-c-f-a-d
This tuning will help make your guitar sound lower and meatier when overdriven. This tuning is obtained if you first tune the guitar a tone lower than the standard one, and then lower the 6th string another tone.
Quite low, don't you think? With this tuning, thicker strings are clearly needed. Thin ones will obviously hang around like snot.
In general, the technique is simple. We already understand what Drop is. But whether to lower it by one tone, 2 or more - that’s up to you. Everything will depend on the gauge of the strings and your desire.
Tuning D5: D-A-d-d-d-d
This system is classified as open formations, because If all the strings are open, the chord D5 sounds. This tuning is quite often used when playing slide. To get this tuning you need to lower the 3rd string by 5 semitones, raise the 2nd string by 3 semitones and lower the 1st string by a tone.
There are variations of this tuning in which the 3rd string is raised to A instead of lowered to D. This gives two fifths of a step in different octaves, which gives the sound some depth.
Ostrich formation: D-D-d-d-d-d
In this tuning, all strings are tuned to the same note. Lou Reed is said to have invented this tuning while he was with the Velvet Underground. Important note: With this tuning, you will definitely need to build your own set of strings.
I guess I'll stop for today. Of course, all alternative and non-standard guitar tunings are not limited to this.
I think I’ll throw in a dozen more soon.
Each string on a guitar has its own name and letter designation. In this short note, let's figure out how all the strings of a guitar are designated.
As you know, there are six strings on a regular guitar. There are, of course, other types of guitars: the bass, for example, has only four strings; The Russian guitar has seven strings, there are twelve-string guitars, etc. We will look at the most common type of guitar - the six-string guitar.
Guitar strings are counted starting from the most thin string– to the thickest bass string. The thinnest is the first string. Accordingly, the thickest is the sixth string. When you hold the guitar in the position in which you play it, the first string of the guitar is lower, i.e. closer to the floor, and the very last, sixth string is higher. Bass strings differ from non-bass strings in that bass strings have a metal winding, so they are thicker in volume and produce a lower sound.
So, now about the names of the strings.
the first string is E,
second string – B,
third string – G,
fourth string – D,
fifth string – A,
the sixth string is E.
In some works, composers slightly modify the tuning of the guitar, for example, they rearrange the sixth string instead of the note E to the note D, or less often, instead of the fifth string A, they rearrange its sound into the note G. But these are exceptional cases that are quite rare.
In addition to the usual names, each string also has its own letter designation. These are the letters of the Latin alphabet that indicate the strings of a guitar.
As you noticed, the first and sixth strings have the same names. But this does not mean that these strings sound the same. The only thing they have in common is the name. In fact, the first E string belongs to the second octave, and the sixth E string belongs to the scarlet octave. Those. the distance between these strings is as much as two octaves!
Since not all letter designations of notes are indicated above, but only designations of guitar strings, I decided to simultaneously note the letter designations of all existing notes in music. As we know, there are only seven of them - do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si. For convenience of letter designation, we will begin to list the notes not from C, but from A. It will be more convenient this way:
If you look closely, it becomes obvious that we are looking at the initial letters of the Latin alphabet. In my opinion, this method of recording makes memorization much easier. letter designations all existing notes.
Attention! Take a guitar training course! Course duration: 90 minutes!
Non-classical settings are used for the convenience of playing certain musical genres or pieces of music.
Classic setting method
- tuning fork
- The 1st string is used to tune the 2nd string, which, being pressed at the V fret, should sound the same as the 1st open (not pressed) string.
- The 3rd string, pressed on the 4th fret, is tuned to the 2nd open string.
- The 4th string, pressed at the V fret, is tuned to the 3rd open string.
- The 5th string, pressed at the V fret, is tuned to the 4th open string.
- The 6th string, pressed at the V fret, is tuned to the 5th open string.
Tuning with harmonics and temperament
Allows for much more precise tuning, since the accuracy of the frets is not always sufficient.
- The 1st string is tuned using the reference sound - the sound of a tuning fork - or the sound of an already tuned musical instrument.
- The 6th string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 5th fret sounds in unison with the 1st string.
- The 5th string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 7th fret sounds in unison with the 1st string, and then it is slightly pulled up so that a beat occurs with a frequency of 0.372 Hz (one beat in 2.7 seconds).
- The 4th string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 7th fret sounds in unison with the harmonic of the 5th string at the 5th fret, and then slightly tightened so that a beat occurs with a frequency of 0.497 Hz (one beat per 2.01 seconds).
- The 3rd string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 7th fret sounds in unison with the harmonic of the 4th string at the 5th fret, and then slightly tightened so that a beat occurs with a frequency of 0.664 Hz (one beat per 1.51 seconds).
- The 2nd string is tuned so that its harmonic on the 5th fret sounds almost in unison with the harmonic of the 1st string on the 7th fret, but is just a little short so that beats with a frequency of 1.12 Hz are heard (one beat per 0.9 seconds).
When tuning using the tuning fork A (“A”), the 5th string is tuned first (the harmonic on the V fret in unison with the tuning fork), then the 1st and 6th, and then the 4th, 3rd and 2nd.
With good hearing, having accumulated sufficient experience, you can do without taking harmonics, catching the beat of overtones in the sound open strings.
Since changing the string tension leads to deformation of the guitar body and detuning of the remaining strings, it is recommended to tune the guitar in 2-3 iterations, the first of which can be done without temperament (without carefully calculating the beat frequency).
Lower tunings of a six-string guitar
Decreased (i.e. lower than the normal EBGDAE tuning) tunings are used for more comfortable playing a certain key, or to obtain a lower, “heavy” sound. In particular, many rock guitarists love the so-called. Drop tunings, which are named by adding to “Drop” a note on the 6th string that drops 1 tone below the first (for example: Drop C = DAFCGC). To change from a classical tuning to some lower tuning, all the strings of the guitar are lowered by a certain interval (for example, to change to tuning D, you need to lower all the strings of the guitar by a tone). To lower the guitar's tuning by more than a tone, you may need to change the strings to thicker ones due to the weakening of their tension. Also, for tunings below B (B), mostly baritone guitars are used.
| String | Scale E♭ (E-flat) | Build D (re) | Scale D♭ (D-flat) | Build C (before) | System B (si) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Frequency (in hertz) | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | |
| First | e♭¹ (E-flat first octave) | 311.13 | d¹ (D first octave) | 293.66 | d♭¹ (D-flat first octave) | 277.18 | c¹ (to the first octave) | 261.63 | b (B small octave) | 246.94 |
| Second | b♭ (B-flat small octave) | 233.08 | a (A small octave) | 220.00 | a♭ (A-flat small octave) | 207.00 | g (small octave sol) | 196.00 | g♭ (G-flat small octave) | 185.00 |
| Third | g♭ (G-flat small octave) | 185.00 | f (f small octave) | 174.62 | e (minor octave E) | 164.81 | e♭ (small octave E-flat) | 155.56 | d (small octave D) | 147.83 |
| Fourth | d♭ (D-flat small octave) | 138.59 | c (to small octave) | 130.82 | B (big octave B) | 123.48 | B♭ (B-flat major octave) | 116.54 | A (A major octave) | 110.00 |
| Fifth | A♭ (A-flat major octave) | 103.80 | G (major octave G) | 98.00 | G♭ (G flat major octave) | 92.50 | F (major octave F) | 87.31 | E (major octave E) | 82.41 |
| Sixth | E♭ (major octave E-flat) | 77.78 | D (major octave D) | 73.91 | D♭ (D-flat major octave) | 69.30 | C (to major octave) | 65.41 | B¹ (B counter octave) | 61.74 |
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Open C
One of characteristic features is the ease of extracting basic major chords. A simple barre on the 2nd fret will give "D", 4th fret will give "E", 5th fret will give "F" and so on. Open strings will give you "C".
In order to tune a guitar in “Open C”, you need (starting from the “standard tuning”): 1st string (thin) Leave as in the “standard tuning” - “E” (“E”)
2nd string. Raise half a step to “C” (“C”)
3rd string. Leave as in “standard tuning” - “Salt” (“G”)
4th string. Lower one step to “Before” (“C”)
5th string. Lower one step to “Salt” (“G”)
6th string (thick). Lower by two steps from “E” to “Do” (“C”)
Raised tunings of a six-string guitar
Tuning a guitar, especially a classical one, can damage the instrument., as well as to injuries due to a sudden break of a tightened string.
To increase the tuning, you can use a capo. If rebuilding your guitar is necessary, it is recommended to use a thinner set of strings.
| String | Build F (fa) | Tuning F# (F-sharp) | Tuning G (sol) | G# scale (G sharp) | System A (la) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Frequency (in hertz) | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | Note | Frequency | |
| First | f¹ (fa first octave) | 349.23 | f¹# (F-sharp first octave) | 369.99 | g¹ (sol of the first octave) | 392.00 | g¹# (G-sharp first octave) | 415.30 | a¹ (A first octave) | 440.00 |
| Second | с¹ (to the first octave) | 261.63 | с¹# (C-sharp of the first octave) | 277.18 | d¹ (D first octave) | 293.66 | D¹# (D-sharp first octave) | 311.13 | e¹ (E first octave) | 311.13 |
| Third | g# (G-sharp small octave) | 207.00 | a (A small octave) | 220.00 | a# (A-sharp small octave) | 233.08 | b (B small octave) | 246.94 | c¹ (to the first octave) | 261.63 |
| Fourth | d# (d-sharp small octave) | 155.56 | e (minor octave E) | 164.81 | f (f small octave) | 174.62 | f# (F-sharp small octave) | 185.00 | g (small octave sol) | 196.00 |
| Fifth | A# (A-sharp major octave) | 116.54 | B (big octave B) | 123.48 | c (to small octave) | 130.82 | c# (C-sharp small octave) | 138.59 | d (small octave D) | 147.83 |
| Sixth | F (major octave F) | 87.31 | F# (F-sharp major octave) | 92.50 | G (major octave G) | 98.00 | G# (G-sharp major octave) | 103.80 | A (A major octave) | 110.00 |
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"Drop D" formation
This tuning differs from the classical one in that it is lowered by tone sixth string. It is often used by hard rock electric guitarists because it makes it easier to play 5th chords. power-chord), also some works were written for him classical guitar(in the keys of D major and D minor).
"Drop C" formation
Used to produce an even lower and “heavier” sound on an electric guitar. Unlike the classical system, all strings except the sixth tune in to tone below and sixth string- on two tones.
Like Drop tuning D is used to play fifth chords.
Double Drop-D formation
The tuning is similar to Drop D, differing in that the first string is lowered a tone. For tuning from classical tuning first And sixth the string is lowered to tone.
In this tuning, the top four open strings of the guitar form a G major chord, making it easier to play with slide. Double drop D was often used by performer Neil Young.
Build "DADGAD"
The tuning most often used in folk music. It was invented by British guitarist David Graham for more convenient playing from notes recorded for violin or bagpipes.
To change the “DADGAD” system from the classic one, you need to lower it to tone first, second And sixth strings.
Build "DADDAD"
The “Papa-Papa” tuning is most suitable both for use in folk music (Celtic) and for playing rhythm guitar parts in “heavy” (alternative) music, 4 notes at a time. To change the tuning “DADDAD” from the classical one, you need to lower it to tone first, second And sixth strings. A third tune in unison with fourth.
Build "Open D"
In this tuning, the open strings form a D major chord. It is used primarily on slide guitars.
To rebuild into this system from the classical first, second And sixth strings drop to tone, third goes down to semitone.
"Open G" build
In this tuning, the open strings form a G major chord.
To change to "Open G" tuning from the classic first, fifth And sixth strings drop to tone.
"New Standard"
Also known as "Crafty tuning". A tuning developed by musician Robert Fripp and used by him since 1983. Unlike the classical “quart” tuning, the tuning proposed by Robert Fripp is closer to bowed string instruments, and first, second And third the strings are tuned similarly to a violin. Tuning to this tuning may require replacing the lower strings with thicker ones and the upper strings with thinner ones.
"Alternative tuning Cross A"
E-A-E-A-E-A. "Sitar A" is an alternative lowered guitar tuning. Reminds me of the sound of an Indian sitar. Great for creating Indian (oriental) music.
Seven-string tunings
Standard
Build seven strings string guitar mixed - terts-quart, so the chord of the open strings is consonant (major quartet-sixth chord), in contrast to six string guitar. This system is considered classical (academic).
If you have already decided to start playing the guitar, then the first thing you need to do when you pick up the instrument is to tune the guitar. About how it is carried out 6 string guitar tuning and this article tells the story. Let's look at how to tune a guitar with and without a tuner. Never play an out of tune guitar - it will completely damage your hearing!
Standard guitar tuning
Tuning a guitar requires each string to sound a specific note. The set of notes of all strings is called the tuning of a guitar. Tuning a 6 string guitar can be done in different tunings, but we will focus on the most common - classical system which is more often called standard formation guitars.
In short, any tuning is written as a sequence of notes of the open strings from the first to the sixth. The standard tuning is written like this:
E B G D A E
What does it mean in Russian:
Mi Si Sol Re La Mi
As you can see, the first and sixth strings sound the note Mi , but in the case of the sixth string it is Mi second octave (thick string), and the first string produces Mi fourth octave (thin). There will be more about this a little later.
Guitar tuner
In the age of technology, it would be strange if there was no gadget for tuning a guitar. But it exists and there are just a lot of options. Not only is this a very convenient thing, it is also very cheap.
This is a small clothespin that attaches to the headstock, i.e. to the place where the pegs are on the guitar. The clothespin contains a sensor that detects sound vibrations going about t strings Thanks to this, the tuner does not pick up external noise.
We will look at what these strange letters on the screen are, but for now I want to please you. The cost of this miracle on AliExpress only 3$. In music stores, such tuners are sold many times more expensive. I recommend buying it if necessary. It will come in handy, I use this myself. It's better to buy in this store .
Tuner for tuning a guitar on your phone
Today there is more than one online service for tuning a guitar. There are also enough programs for PC, for example the same Guitar Pro allows you to do this. But it is much more convenient to install the application on your smartphone and not depend on the Internet and/or computer.
There are tons of guitar tuning apps for smartphones. But the most complete and advanced among them all was and remains to this day the gStrings guitar tuner. I've been using it for 5 years now.
You can download it from Google Play Market ‘ A.
After all the changes made by the developers, the application has become maximally adapted to living conditions. You just need to take your phone out of your pocket, open the app and start plucking strings, not necessarily guitar strings. The application is omnivorous and is great for tuning a guitar, as well as for tuning a bass guitar, violin and any other instrument. Even the drums were once pulled up on it.
At the top of the tuner screen are consecutive notes. In the center is a tuned note, and an arrow indicates what to do with this note. If the arrow is to the left of the center of the screen, it means the note is not played. If it’s to the right, it’s overtightened.
A note is considered tuned if the arrow points to the center, i.e. on the note itself, while its color changes, in this case from gray to white. Today, all tuners have a similar intuitive interface.
As already shown above, notes are indicated by the first letters of the English alphabet. The letters go as in the English alphabet, in order, but starting with the note A:
- Do - C
- D - D
- Mi - E
- Fa - F
- Salt G
- A - A
- C - B
When talking about standard tuning, octaves were mentioned. Which octave a note belongs to is indicated in the program by a number next to the note. Under the note, its frequency is indicated in Hertz (Hz). The center of the screen shows the sound frequency in at the moment. For standard tuning this is:
- 1 string — E 4 — 329.63 Hz
- 2nd string — B 3 — 246.94 Hz
- 3rd string — G 3 — 196.00 Hz
- 4th string — D 3 — 146.83 Hz
- 5 string — A 2 —110.00Hz
- 6th string — E 2 — 82.41 Hz
Don't get confused! otherwise in best case scenario You'll break the string, or at worst, you'll damage the guitar.
Tuning a 6 string guitar by notes
Today, given that everyone has a smartphone or two in their pocket, this option for tuning a guitar can be considered outdated, but you shouldn’t write it off. One way or another, everyone who plans to continue playing the guitar should know it. You never know, suddenly the battery on your smartphone runs out)
The method is based on the fact that each subsequent string is tuned to the previous one by ear, by resonance. As we already know, the open first string produces the note Mi. If we hold down the second string at the fifth fret, we will also get the same note Mi and a resonance will arise between them, i.e. they will begin to enhance each other's sound.
This means that in order to tune the second string, it needs to sound the same as the open first string at the fifth fret. Therefore, we clamp the second string at the fifth fret, pluck the first string, and then the second, and try to determine whether the second string sounds higher or lower.
At the same time, to make it easier to determine whether the second string is understretched or overtightened, you can move from the fifth fret to other frets and look for which fret the resonance will occur on. If it occurs on higher frets (6,7,8...) then the second string should be tightened even more. If resonance occurs if you hold the second string at lower frets (1-4), then the second string is overtightened.
Guitar beats and tuning
When you come very close to the desired note and the difference between the notes is very close, so-called beats occur. Beating is the result of a slight difference between two close frequencies that are trying to resonate, but because of the slight difference, the sound is either strengthened or weakened. Graphically it looks like this:
When setting acoustic guitar, the beats are not only perceptible by ear, but also clearly felt by the body when touching the soundboard (body) of the guitar. This is especially noticeable on the upper bass strings, due to their thickness and lower sound frequency.
The closer the sounds of two notes correspond to each other (the second string on the fifth fret and the open first), the faster the beats will occur. And when the notes coincide, the beats will stop altogether. You just have to feel it and then you can adjust it without thinking.
By analogy for the other strings. The third string should sound the same as the second open string when plucked at the fourth fret. To tune the 4th, 5th and 6th strings, you should clamp them at the fifth fret and compare their sound with the sound of the previous string.
It turns out that all strings except the third are tuned according to the resonance between them at the fifth fret and the previous string, and the third string is similar, but is clamped at the fourth fret.
Sheet music for guitar tuning
In this way, you can tune the guitar in reverse order or starting from any string, but there is one thing in this method weak point. Initially, one of the strings must be tuned from outside. The tuning fork was invented for these purposes. A standard tuning fork produces an A note with a frequency of 440 Hz. Those. This is the first string on the fifth fret.
Especially for you, a 20-second file with the note A (440Hz) produced by a standard tuning fork was created in the Audacity audio editor. Well, at the same time, 20 seconds of the sound of the first string.
Download or listen online sheet music for guitar tuning:
You can create the sound of any note yourself in Audacity. How to do this, read the article:
Another instrument, such as a piano or a second guitar, can serve as a reference. But it’s better to memorize some melody for yourself, preferably using all the strings separately, by playing which you could accurately determine whether the instrument is out of tune and which strings should be tuned.
For me personally, such a melody is the introduction of Viktor Tsoi’s song “Aluminum Cucumbers.” If you develop auditory memory and remember the sound of notes, then you can tune a guitar without a tuning fork, and even more so without tuners, without any problems. It just takes practice and regular play.
And finally, a video showing another guitar tuning option:
The article was written exclusively for the site
In addition to the usual way to tune a guitar, there are alternative tunings.
Guitarists need them to diversify their performance and achieve an unusual or powerful sound, and also to simplify finger placement while playing. If you have problems with the setup process, there is a separate section about this on our website.
In this article, the tuning will be indicated from the sixth string to the first. Some settings are easier to remember this way.
Classical tuning and its variations
EADGBE - classic tuning
The generally accepted system, also called “Spanish”, is most often used to write songs. As an example, consider Ed Sheeran – Shape of you. Ed plays this song in classical tuning.
Variation one - DADGBE
Among guitarists it is called a drop-D, since the sixth string drops a tone to the note D. In it, power chords are pressed with one finger, which is why drop-D is often used in rock music.
Turns into this:
Stockholm Syndrome by Muse is played in this tuning.
Variation two - DADGBD
Also called Double drop-D, similar to the previous one, but the first string goes down a tone. It is convenient to play parts through the repeated note D, both on the sixth and on the first string. Skillet's Circus For A Psycho plays the main riff in this tuning.
Variation three - DADGAD
Among guitarists it is called “deadged”, often used in folk music because of its ease of imitation of bagpipes and sitar. Open strings do not form thirds, so this tuning is neither major nor minor, but modal. The first, second and sixth strings are lowered a tone. White summer by the Yardbirds plays just like that.
Drops and capo
Next, we will consider the tunings formed by a uniform change in all strings from the classical tuning and its variations. The downward movement adds “heaviness” to the sound. The vocalist may be more comfortable singing. As the tuning goes down, it is better to switch to thicker strings; their tension will decrease and it will be uncomfortable to play.
Step one - D#G#C#F#A#D#
It’s also half-step-down, “half a step down.” All strings are evenly lowered by a semitone.
Guns`n`roses play their classic Sweet Child O`mine a little lower than it might seem.
Step two - CGCFAD
Popular in metal and hard rock drop-C. This is the tuning that is almost always used, with all strings down a tone and the sixth string down another tone, i.e. one tone down from drop-D. First two albums System groups of a Down played in drop-C. For example, the song Toxicity from the album of the same name.
Step three - BF#BEG#C#
Another tone lower than the previous one, also known as drop-B. Even harder and more aggressive. Slipknot used this tuning on their first albums. Wait and bleed is no exception.
We will not consider the constructions below here, since in modern music For even greater reduction, guitars with additional strings, 7-, 8-, 9-strings, are used.
Capo
To improve the tuning, the guitar is very rarely retuned; for this, a capo is used, which evenly clamps all the strings.
This creates a movable threshold, and if you need to play a song in a different key, for example, for the convenience of the vocalist, you just need to move the capo to the desired fret.
For example, the Scarborough fair by Simon and Garfunkel is played with a capo at the seventh fret, which creates a BEADF#B tuning 3.5 steps higher than the classic one.
Open formations
Open tuning is the tuning of all strings not by intervals, but by the notes of a chord.
Such tunings are often used in folk music and when playing with a slide - usually a metal or glass cylinder that is placed on the finger of the left hand. It is moved along the strings as a “moving” fret.
Let's look at some commonly used open tunings.
Open D major Open D - DADF#AD
We have already discussed the DADGAD tuning as a variation of the classic tuning. Let's lower the third string another semitone - we get the notes of the D major chord.
For example, let's take the composition of guitarist Alain Johannes – Make God Jealous.
Open D minor Open D Minor - DADFAD
Let's lower the third string another semitone, and we'll end up in D minor, a more “sad” chord. Let's evaluate the changes in sound using the song Wine and Roses by John Fahey.
Open G major Open G - DGDGBD
Let's return the second and third strings to classical tuning, but let's lower the fifth one tone - we move into a G major chord. This tuning was used by Jimmy Page in Led Zeppelin's Bron-Y-Aur Stomp.
Modal scale G Modal G - DGCGCD
This system has the same features as discussed above. modal system in D (DADGAD), it is convenient to play both major and minor songs. Jimmy Page also used this system. He generally used many non-standard tunings and was their popularizer. For example, Rain song performed jointly with Robert Plant.
Open G minor Open G Minor - DGDGA#D
By lowering the second string a semitone, we form a G minor chord from the open strings. It is used on guitarist John Renbourn's Mist-Covered Mountains of Home and imitates a lute.
Open A major Open A - EEAAC#E or EAC#EAE
There are two setup options. In the first case, we raise the second, third and fourth strings by a tone, forming an A major chord.
In the second case, lower the second string by a tone, the third by a tone and a half, and the fourth string by a half tone. This variation is often found in delta blues compositions, one of the earliest blues movements.
Robert Johnson uses a slide to play in this tuning on Crossroads Blues.
Open C major Open C - CGCGCE or CGCGGE
The sixth, fifth and fourth strings repeat drop-C, the second string is raised by a semitone (or lowered by two tones), the third and first - as in the classics.
Chris Cornell's song Burden In My Hand, performed by Soundgarden, is written in this tuning.
There are many more rarer customization options. Nothing prevents a musician from tuning the instrument the way he wants or needs.
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