The Alternate Tuning Thread

[BMaag]

Ok, guys here goes. I have always been interested in the idea of different tunings. I find that I'm so used to playing certain patterns and shapes in standard tuning that it starts to get in the way of musicality for me.

I remedy this by turning my tuning pegs. It forces me to use my ears which is always a good thing. Anyway, here are a couple tunings I have discovered that I like, and I was hoping that maybe you guys might have some others to add.

In this one, the lower strings are tuned in 5ths, like a cello, and the top two are a minor and a major 3rd, respectively.
Low to high, its [B F# C# G# B D#]


One of the interesting things about the following tuning is the tritone between the lowest 2 strings, which gives you easy access to the 4th or 5th of most chord voicings on these 2 strings. I also like the whole step between the 2nd and 3rd strings which allows for some cool close voicings.
Low to high, you get [C# G C# G# A# D#]

I also like Ralph Patt's Major 3rds tuning

[hot ford coupe]

I wouldn't mind playing with different tunings but I still don't know everything in standard yet so I think I'll stick with that for a bit longer.

[adamreir]

"but I still don't know everything in standard yet so I think I'll stick with that for a bit longer."

A bit longer beeing the rest of your rife? I wouldn't saty that it takes a lifetime to learn everything in standard, maby to or three?

Anyway, When playing jazz and improviced stuff i stay with standard, becous neither my hands OR my ears have a clue where I'm going when I approach a new string, no clue. I would play wrong all the time if I use a different tuning, becous my hands wouldn't know how to play what i hear.

Different tuning is great for composing thoug, just to experiment with the tuning, and learn new patterns.. Listen to Nick Drake.. Mmmmmh

[hot ford coupe]

Originally Posted by adamreir

"but I still don't know everything in standard yet so I think I'll stick with that for a bit longer."

A bit longer beeing the rest of your rife? I wouldn't saty that it takes a lifetime to learn everything in standard, maby to or three?

Anyway, When playing jazz and improviced stuff i stay with standard, becous neither my hands OR my ears have a clue where I'm going when I approach a new string, no clue. I would play wrong all the time if I use a different tuning, becous my hands wouldn't know how to play what i hear.

Different tuning is great for composing thoug, just to experiment with the tuning, and learn new patterns.. Listen to Nick Drake.. Mmmmmh

That's exactly the same reason I stay with the standard tuning. The kind of music I play doesn't call for anything but standard tuning. Besides, if I have a number of tunings to worry about, I think I'll get confused and have to remember too much. That's just me.

["Umm, fish?"]

I play a short scale guitar in all fifths tuning: C-G-D-A-E-B. I started on mandolin, though, so it's very intuitive to me.