Alternate and Open Tunings

Alternate and Open TuningsWhat we guitarists consider “standard tuning” has been around pretty much since the fifth and sixth strings were added to the instrument in the late 1700’s. And, artists being artists, “non-standard” or “alternate” tunings have existed for just about as long. For the sake of our discussions, we will divide guitar tunings into three categories – standard, open, and alternate. On this page you’ll find some great articles and lessons on alternate and open tunings, including some wonderful song lessons and arrangements.

tuning

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Open C Tuning

Guitar Lessons | Benjamin Lucas

Another new Guitar Noise writer makes his debut with this introduction to the wonders of open C tuning.

Altered States – or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Partial Capoing

Guitar Lessons | Rick Endres

This is a terrific piece for those of you interested in the subject of partial capos, which will educate and inspire you. And if you’re not familiar with the subject, I suspect it will whet your appetite to learn more about it.

The First Time Ever I Tuned My Axe

In response to the many people who’ve written with questions on how to tune the guitar, Graham’s written this wonderful step-by-step process for those of you who are unfamiliar with how to tune with a tuner.

Drop C Tuning

Guitar Lessons | Evan Duffey

Evan may be young but he does get his point across. Here’s a lesson that introduces Drop C tuning and even includes a riff from Toxicity by System of a Down.

How to Tune a Guitar

This beginner lesson contains step by step instructions on how to tune a 6 string guitar.

Tuning A Floyd Rose – (or other similar floating bridge)

Once you know how to tune a floating bridge you will realize it’s a very simple process. We’ll start off by explaining how to do it from scratch.

Alternate Writing Styles

The third and final part in our look at alternate tunings. Let’s see how they can be used to write songs and we’ll throw a little bit of theory into the mix.

Cover Story

Part two in our look at alternate tunings. We’re going to see how alternate tunings can be used as a tool for arranging and interpreting old familiar tunes.

On The Tuning Awry

This is the first of three lessons on alternate tunings. We’ll go over the basics of alternate tunings such as why and how to use them with some great examples.

Open Tuning Part II – Here There Be Monsters

This is the second of two parts on open tuning. We’re going to learn how to put together a fretboard map and use it to figure out chords in open tuning.

Open Tuning Part I – Look, Ma, No Hands!

This article is the first of two parts on the use of open tuning. Find out what open tunings are and how to achieve them.

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