SixStringMadman
01-02-2002, 10:55 AM
I have seen a few threads from past dates asking about alternate tuning, so I decided to post a thread about ways I have found to make tuning to a different tuning easy as pie.
DADGBe Tuning.
I found the easiest way to get to Drop D tuning is simply to use your tuner and slowly downtune the Low-E string until you reach the note of "D". Drop D tuning allows you to play the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings open as a power chord, while you cannot do this in standard tuning.
Lower tunings.
For these, you will need to use your CAPO, it makes this incredibly easy. First, find out what tuning you want. Remember, "Drop C" tuning is one step below "Drop D" tuning. Using the CAPO, you cannot accomplish "Drop C" tuning when in EADGBe [standard] tuning--you must first be in "Drop D". Here is how it works:
First, tune the open strings to Drop D tuning.
Second, place the CAPO on the second fret.
Third, retune so that the CAPOed second fret sounds like the open strings did in Drop D originally.
Fourth, remove the capo. You have just put the guitar in CGCFAD tuning, or "Drop C".
Want a lower tuning for some reason? Remember, every two frets is ONE step. If you want to go one and one-half steps lower that EADGBe tuning. Place the CAPO on the third fret and proceed as I instructed. It is the same if you want lower tunings for Drop D.
For people just learning about alternate tunings, this method will probably be good in simplicity, and informative--it was for me.
--SixStringMadman
DADGBe Tuning.
I found the easiest way to get to Drop D tuning is simply to use your tuner and slowly downtune the Low-E string until you reach the note of "D". Drop D tuning allows you to play the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings open as a power chord, while you cannot do this in standard tuning.
Lower tunings.
For these, you will need to use your CAPO, it makes this incredibly easy. First, find out what tuning you want. Remember, "Drop C" tuning is one step below "Drop D" tuning. Using the CAPO, you cannot accomplish "Drop C" tuning when in EADGBe [standard] tuning--you must first be in "Drop D". Here is how it works:
First, tune the open strings to Drop D tuning.
Second, place the CAPO on the second fret.
Third, retune so that the CAPOed second fret sounds like the open strings did in Drop D originally.
Fourth, remove the capo. You have just put the guitar in CGCFAD tuning, or "Drop C".
Want a lower tuning for some reason? Remember, every two frets is ONE step. If you want to go one and one-half steps lower that EADGBe tuning. Place the CAPO on the third fret and proceed as I instructed. It is the same if you want lower tunings for Drop D.
For people just learning about alternate tunings, this method will probably be good in simplicity, and informative--it was for me.
--SixStringMadman