I have been listening to old Delta blues artist like John Hurt, R.L. Burnside, etc. And after playing along I figured out they don't use standard tunings to often. I have the O Brother where art thou soundtrack tab and I see Skip James playing Hard time killing floor blues in Dm tuning which is D-A-D-F-A-D I belive. Now I know you have to learn different chords positions if I was playing open G slide, but I use standard tuning. My question is does anyone know any delta blues tuning for fingerstyle and Do I have to learn new chord shapes and positons like will a Am, D, or D7sus4 be in the same place as standard tunings, sorry if I confused to heck out anyone. Thanks!!
"Failure is the key to success" Lee Wen; Champ vs Champ
My suggestion is this: If you're going to play stuff that was originally done in Open G or Open D with a slide, tune to Open G or Open D and use a slide! It won't sound the same if you figure out the chords and do it in standard tuning, though you may come up with a perfectly cool version of the song.
Open tunings aren't hard. They're really a whole lot easier than trying to reproduce the tune in standard.
Skip James' Hard Times Killin' Floor is indeed in Open D minor, DADFAD, and can be played with or without a slide. I have a video of him playing it fingerstyle without a slide, and I think it's easiest that way.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
I agree. with open tunings there is a distinct voicing that will not be the same with standard tuning.
chord shapes are actually easier with open tuning. one fret is the chord, straight up. single note runs are usually acomplished in a smaller area of the fret board too.
the trick of understanding open tuning is conceptual ina way.
when tuned standard. E is at the nut.
with open tuning in G
the G chord is at the nut, but the samme scale applies as in standard tuning.
two intervals (frets) up from the nut you have A, two more you have B, one more C, two more D etc etc.
so it isnt that different in ;looking at the fet board.
the big difference is in the sound or voicing.
definately go to open tuning when the song is in that tuning. you will really get the feel of the original intent.
if you want to stay with standard any song will e possible, but as you found out, some parts wont sound right.
so then make it your version. no rule against that.
Open tunings are great. I started using G and D tunings a few years ago when I got into country blues, but you can use them with rock also( think Kieth Richards-"I Hear You Knockin") --the dog
