Guitar players will often change the tuning of the guitar in order to get a particular sound or combination of notes. These are called alternate guitar tunings. Sometimes this is simply changing all the notes higher or lower by the same number of steps, sometimes it is changing the tuning of just one string, and sometimes all the strings are tuned to an open chord.
Below are a few of the most commonly used alternate guitar tunings.
Low Tuning
This is where all the strings are tuned the same degree lower. This is commonly used because it works better for a vocal range and/or to make the guitar tone more bass-heavy and powerful. Occasionally you can find a song where all strings are tuned higher for the same reasons, however that is rare. Songs by U2, Van Halen, Nirvana, Queen, Jimi Hendrix and many others have used low alternate guitar tunings. Here are some of the most common low tunings:
- Eb (E flat) – Tune all the notes down 1/2 step.
- D – Tune all the notes down a whole step
- C – Tune all the notes down 2 whole steps
Below is an example of Slash playing Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
in an Eb low tuning. The original version by Bob Dylan was in standard tuning and uses an A minor chord more often. Notice how the lower tuning and simpler chords in this version help to deliver a powerful rock rendition of the song. You can learn this song note-for-note, complete with the impressive Slash solo, by using eMedia Masters of Rock Guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ZRBPA8SK0&list=PLQSeuC5x-i7krPPD98a84W2Qnwt1Q_86n&index=1
Drop D Tuning and Other Drop Alternate Guitar Tunings
In “Drop” tuning one string (and occasionally more than one) is changed to create more interesting chord voices and to extend the range of the guitar to play lower-pitched guitar riffs. “Drop D” is the most common, where the low E string on the guitar gets detuned to a D (one whole step down). This alternate guitar tuning is used in everything from classical guitar music, to folk songs, to the grunge sounds of Nirvana and other rock bands.
A powerful aspect of playing in drop D is that you create a power chord by simply barring across the low E and A strings on any fret. As a result, it becomes very easy to make fast power chord progressions that would be impossible in standard tuning.
Here is Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters with an acoustic version of Everlong that uses a drop D tuning. Listen to how he uses the low E and A string to create a chord progression that delivers power even on an acoustic guitar.
Open Tunings
Open tunings are when the strings are tuned in a particular sequence to play a particular chord when you simply strum all the open strings. Often many notes are octaves of one another so it creates a very full sound with a strong drone. A drone, which is particularly popular in traditional Indian music, serves as a constant accompaniment note during a whole song and can impart an Eastern sound.
- Open C – The C tuning has roots in English guitar, which uses open-notes of C-E-G-C-E-G. A variation of that (C-G-C-G-C-E) was used by folk guitarist William Ackerman, blues fingerpicking guitarist John Fahey. Mick Ralphs of the rock band Bad Company even used a version of the C tuning (C-E-G-C-E-C) for their song
Can’t Get Enough
. - Open D – Vestopol is another name for open D, which is tuned to D-A-D-F♯-A-D, also called tuning. Players that have used this tuning include Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn, noted fingerstyle guitarist Leo Kotke, John Fahey and the Allman Brothers.
- Open Dsus4 – Commonly called “DADGAD”, strings are tuned to D-A-D-G-A-D. Even though this is commonly called Celtic tuning, it is actually used in many styles of music. It is a versatile tuning as it sounds neither major nor minor. Popular opinion is that the tuning came about when an oud player in Morocco influenced British guitarist Davey Graham.
- Open G – Variations on the popular open G include G-G-D-G-B-D, G-G-D-G-B-D, and D-G-D-G-B-D. One of the most well-known guitarists who depends on this tuning is Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones who has used it in many Stones hits.
One of the most popular songs in an open tuning is Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir
. This hit is played in open Dsus4/DADGAD. All the droning D strings help to give this song its Eastern flavor.
In this excerpt from the excellent DVD It Might Get Loud guitarist Jimmy Page shows the chords and tunings to Jack White of the White Stripes, and The Edge of U2. You can see from their interest, that alternate guitar tunings have created some legendary rock guitar parts.