Guitar Tuning Variations: Go Beyond Standard Tuning

Guitar Tuning Variations: Go Beyond Standard Tuning

Hi Alien Guitarists,

Exploring alternate tunings can open up new creative possibilities, allowing you to access tones and voicings that are difficult to achieve in standard tuning. Here are some popular alternate tunings to try, with tips for how to incorporate them into your playing.

DADGAD Tuning

• Tuning: D, A, D, G, A, D

DADGAD is widely used in folk, Celtic, and world music for its rich, open sound. The tuning creates a “droning” effect, with the D and A strings resonating together, which adds depth and warmth to chord voicings. It’s especially suited for fingerstyle playing due to its open, resonant quality.

How to Use It: In DADGAD, you can create lush, full chord progressions with minimal finger movement. This tuning works well for melodies that blend chord and single-note passages. Try experimenting with minor shapes or sus chords to create a haunting, modal sound.

Example: Play a Dsus4 shape by pressing down only on the second fret of the G string. Allow the other strings to ring out to produce a full, resonant sound, perfect for ambient or folk-inspired pieces.

Tips for Practice: To get used to DADGAD, start by experimenting with open-string voicings. The AGS Fretboard Mastery Course includes exercises to help you incorporate DADGAD into your practice routine effectively.

Drop D Tuning

• Tuning: D, A, D, G, B, E

Drop D tuning is popular in rock and metal, where it allows for powerful, single-finger power chords. By lowering the low E string to D, you can create heavier, more resonant tones and easily access low-end power chords.

How to Use It: Drop D lets you play power chords by barring across the lowest three strings with a single finger. This makes it easy to switch chords quickly, perfect for creating rhythmic, riff-driven progressions.

Example: Try barring the low D, A, and D strings at the fifth fret to create a G power chord. Move this shape up and down the neck for easy, heavy-sounding riffs.

Tips for Practice: Experiment with the ease of switching power chords in Drop D, focusing on building rhythmic riffs. The Fretboard Mastery Course has more structured exercises for mastering Drop D in rock and metal contexts.

Open G Tuning

• Tuning: D, G, D, G, B, D

Open G tuning is commonly used in blues, rock, and slide guitar for its open, full sound. This tuning allows you to play a G major chord simply by strumming all the strings open. It’s particularly favoured by slide players because it enables fluid, smooth chord transitions.

How to Use It: Open G provides easy access to major chords with minimal fingering, making it perfect for rhythm playing or slide guitar. Try experimenting with the I-IV-V progression by moving up the neck to different fret positions.

Example: Strum all open strings for a G major chord. Then, bar across the fifth fret for a C major or the seventh fret for a D major to play a classic I-IV-V blues progression.

Tips for Practice: Use a slide on Open G to create bluesy, vocal-like tones. Practise moving the slide smoothly between the third, fifth, and seventh frets to create a classic blues sound. The AGS Fretboard Mastery Course can guide you in developing proficiency with Open G for slide playing and beyond.

These alternate tunings are just the start of your journey into new tonal landscapes. Each tuning can lead you to fresh sounds and new ideas, and structured practice sessions within the Fretboard Mastery Course will help you integrate these tunings naturally into your style.

Peace, Rob Lobasso 👽🎸🤘