DADGAD
I mentioned Led Zeppelin in the last
section and guitarist Jimmy Page wrote
a variety of songs in alternate tunings.
One such classic is “Kashmir”—and it’s in
DADGAD tuning.
DADGAD tuning is achieved by lowering
the bottom and top two strings down a
step from standard tuning, so as the name
implies, it goes D-A-D-G-A-D. Not only
is this tuning a personal favorite alternate
tuning of mine, but it also allows for—and
in a completely different way than drop D
tuning, I might add—a stunning array of
melodic, single finger playing. I’m a huge
fan of open string drones and DADGAD is
ideal for such applications. Just slide your
finger up and down the G string (heh) and
enjoy what happens.
As the venerable Mr. Page taught us
though—chording in DADGAD is fun, too.
Further examples include “Black Mountain
Side” by Led Zepellin, “Circle” by Slipknot,
“Out On the Western Plain” by Rory
Gallagher and “Epiphany” by Staind.
SIDE NOTE
If you’re looking for something easier, or
just a bit more familiar, you can simplify
DADGAD and go with double drop D
instead. Just drop both the high and low
E a step from standard tuning to make
D-A-D-G-B-D and you’re ready to play
“Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young.
D-A-D-G-A-D
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TONE TALK //
Change Your Tuning, Change The Game
OPEN A / E / D
Open tunings offer a distinct advantage—
the ability to create remarkably complete
(and easy to play) chords at every single
fret. As such. open tunings are ideal for
slide players. So if you’re interested in slide
guitar, tuning up with one of the following
options is a great place to start.
Open A can be heard in “Seven Nation
Army” by the White Stripes and “In My
Time of Dying” by Led Zeppelin and is
tuned as follows: E-A-E-A-C#-E.
E-A-E-A-C#-E
For open D, tune your guitar to D-A-D-F#-
A-D and listen to “Corrina, Corrina” by Bob
Dylan or “Black Balloon” by the Goo Goo
Dolls.
Open E is featur ed in “Gimme Shelter” by
the Rolling Stones, “Just Got Paid” by ZZ
Top and in almost all the music of Derek
Trucks. To tune to open E, set your strings
this way: E-B-E-G#-B-E. (Or just put a capo
at the second fret of an open D tuned
guitar.)
D-A-D-F#-A-D
As you’ll hear listening to these songs, slide
playing abounds—but standard rhythmic
picking is possible, as well. I suggest you
try them all on for size and see which one
fits you best. And if you’re less into self-
discovery and more into cheat codes, there
are plenty of open tuning tutorials and
chord charts available online.
E-B-E-G#-B-E
ToneReport.com
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