Guitarists, I need your help.

[Bertha Venation]

Although I've played for more than thirty years, I possess only mediocre talent. I play for myself only (although I used to perform, back when I was really good. I'm rusty).

I've never stepped outside the usual E-A-D-G-B-E tuning. In fact, until a few years ago, I never knew there were alternate tunings, and I felt like an idiot upon learning this, because of course you can do way more with a guitar than just the usual. (I coulda had a V-8!)

Anyway, there's a song I want to learn. It has this alternate tuning, and I don't understand the chords. Can someone explain it to me, please?

Tune the treble E string down until it sounds like the open D string; do the same for the bass E string. Then tune the B string down until it sounds like the open A string. This tuning was, I believe, "discovered" by Davy Graham

Chords:

X: (5x5000); Y: (9x9000); Z: (10,x,10,000); W: (000000); R: (030034); S: (020020)

[guitar man]

1. That's D modal tuning

or what's commonly referred to as "Celtic" tuning. The chords listed would be played with the first number representing the low E string (now a D string due to the detuning) , 2nd number A string and so on. So, for example, the first chord you have listed would be 5th fret, mute, 5th fret, open, open, open.

hope this helps :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

3. YAY

I have something new to learn! The brain stretcheth!

Thank you, Guitar Man. :hug: You rock.

edit: I tried to learn this song long ago by ear, and wondered why each chord I found didn't QUITE fit . . . now I know. :)

[guitar man]

4. I know how you feel

Years ago when I was trying to figure out the Keith Richards parts on Stones tunes it was driving me batty until a friend pointed out that Keith was using open tunings, often open G. Once I discovered the open tunings it all fell into place from there. :)

[mitchum]

6. Get rid of that low E string for the true Keef experience

[tonekat]

2. DADGAD tuning

A friend of mine is a big enthusiast of this, and someday I'll tune one of my guitars to this and play with it.

If you want to hear some great DADGAD playing, I recommend Al Petteway.

http://alandamy.com/index.html

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. DADGAD is the tuning. The chord notes are as below, in order:

X: (5x5000) G-GGAD

Y: (9x9000) B-BGAD

Z: (10,x,10,000) C-CGAD

W: (000000) DADGAD

R: (030034) DCDGCF#

S: (020020) DBDGBD


Celtic/Irish modal (G Mixolydian, or possibly also D Dorian; the preponderance of Gs and the final chord being a G Major makes me think G Mixolydian; but it's possible it's the g's are more the drones, and it's ending instead on the sub-dominant of the D Dorian, which is quite common in non-traditional keys).

Interesting chord structure - wish I had my guitar handy; I'd like to hear it. Some wonderful dissonances and color notes in there.

[Bertha Venation]

7. Why didn't I know that you are a musician?

I feel like I should apologize or something.

Or did I know, and it's just one more thing I've forgotten?

Anyway, :thumbsup: thanks for your comments, and the notes. Now if only I could remember hwo to read music . . . :dunce:

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. No idea. And you're welcome!

Have fun!

[Orsino]

8. Zep's "Black Mountain Side"...

...may be the example most famous in America: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DADGAD

Perhaps the OP could work out with that song as well, to build familiarity with the tuning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUMGuvmVmxI
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dadgad+tuning&search_type=&aq=0&oq=DADGAD

[PVnRT]

10. I believe they use it on "Friends" as well

Or maybe "The Rain Song"? I can't remember now.

[mitchum]

11. DADGAD...a Moroccan pipe tuning adapted by Graham for guitar

I only play in open tunings (never learned how to play in standard tuning)

[mitchum]

12. Try this one...AAAAAE...a harmolodic tuning used by James Blood Ulmer

[Orsino]

13. That explains a LOT about Ulmer. n/t

[mitchum]

14. It does, doesn't it?

I guess it's his "fancy" variation on Lou Reed's old ostrich tuning (EEEEEE)