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#287662 - 05/09/11 06:20 PM
Open Tunings
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BobJ
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 19/12/10
Posts: 3
Loc: Lancashire
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I've a question regarding open tunings, and wondered whether any of the more experienced guitar players on the forum could give me some advice. When Tuning to open D, Drop or Double Drop D, The (Low E)String seem too slack. I'm only 6 months into this new musical adventure, but I'm keen to use these tunings for some Jackson Browne music I'm interested in learning. I'm using Martin 80/20 Bronze Extra Light String on a Tanglewood Earth 200, and also the same strings on my Cort AS-S4. Will changing the strings to a heavier guage improve this problem. The Electronic tuner say its D when plucking the Low E in these alternative tunings but it seems as if the tension is just to slack
Edited by BobJ (05/09/11 07:50 PM)
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#287666 - 06/09/11 02:20 AM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: BobJ]
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Mark P
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 21/10/09
Posts: 455
Loc: Scotland
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Generally speaking it's not unusual for players to go up a gauge in strings for playing dropped tunings.
I'm not a regular acoustic user, but with dropped tunings on electrics if you're using 9s for strings for example then drop D is likely to be a step too far for adequate string tension.
I'll let someone experienced in using acoustics say anything about what limitations there may be on string gauges / tensions etc. Electrics tend to be more robust, easier to setup, and less prone to damage from changed tensions etc - from what I have read you need to treat acoustics with more caution.
I must admit for slide work I've ended up preferring the open tunings that involve increasing the tension of strings - eg open E (E,B,E,G#,B,E). Makes slide a much more possible option using the same strings as you'd use for normal playing.
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#287912 - 14/09/11 05:18 PM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: Mark P]
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amadan
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 14/09/11
Posts: 4
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i sometimes play dropped D or DADGAD with no problems though im using 12 gauge, maybe try a cheap set of 12s to see how you get on?
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#287934 - 15/09/11 03:35 PM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: stickyfiddle]
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Lotus
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 08/08/11
Posts: 147
Loc: Stafford
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Blimey I wish I could understand any part of the conversation above :-)
I'm sure that one day my guitar education will enable me to gather just what it is you guys are chatting about
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#287935 - 15/09/11 04:05 PM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: Lotus]
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stickyfiddle
Spam Commander (Forum Council Member)
Old Timer
Registered: 22/04/04
Posts: 6168
Loc: London, UK
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Blimey I wish I could understand any part of the conversation above :-)
I'm sure that one day my guitar education will enable me to gather just what it is you guys are chatting about
Quite simply, it's when you tune your guitar to anything other than standard EADGBe, allowing for different chords to be played more easily, or to play chords easily with a slide.
Tunings like DADGAD, or DGDGBD (open G) are favourites of mine
_________________________
PSN: stickyfiddle
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#288002 - 17/09/11 04:37 PM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: stickyfiddle]
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Lotus
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 08/08/11
Posts: 147
Loc: Stafford
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Thanks for the explanation Sticky.
Now why would I want to move away from the standard EADGBe tuning?
Is there a particular genre of music that requires this open tuning or is it just to aid the slide demons amongst us?
Seem to remember Keith Richards in his autobiography telling me that this was something he did and then of course he went on to lose the 6th string
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#288025 - 18/09/11 03:54 PM
Re: Open Tunings
[Re: Mark P]
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Lotus
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 08/08/11
Posts: 147
Loc: Stafford
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Sounds like a good excuse for a second guitar, if an excuse was ever needed of course
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