Open tunings

[azslacker]

Wondering if anyone else on here plays in slack key tunings or other open tunings exclusively. I used to play (poorly) in standard tuning. Got hooked on slack key and haven't played in std. for a couple of years.

Here's a master playing in taropatch DGDGBD Song is called "Radio Hula"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi3GZ5dz6vM

[Lizzy]

What is the advantage of these other tunings? If your guitar is tuned to a G or something then do you have to transpose all the other chords in the song?

[azslacker]

No advantage over std. tuning, just a different style. Uses lots of open strings, and a constant alternating bass. You are somewhat limited in the number of chords you can play in each tuning, so you play the same few chords you can play in every possible inversion. In G taropatch and no capo, I can get along pretty well in G, C, & D keys. If I use a capo, it's usually just as high as the 2nd. fret. My 312ce is tuned to F taropatch CFCFAC. Sounds really good tuned down that low. Here's a song in F taropatch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXaYqYxYdOY

[Lizzy]

 I will read some more about it. You can do so much with a guitar! It's so cool.

[paulin]

Hey azslacker,

What a beautiful song!  I really love slack key guitar, perhaps because I learned lap steel as a kid.  Some questions though:

1.- what gauge strings do you use for the various slack keys?

2.- which key has chord fingerings closest to standard tuning?

3.- what is a good resource for learning slack key chord fingerings?

Once again thanks for a great post.

paulin

[azslacker]

#1 I use Elixer Nano-web med. sets on both of my Taylor's. The mini is in open G, and the 312 in open F.
     
#2 None of them, but don't worry. You rarely fret more than the top 3 strings. What you learn is shapes and there's only about 5 or 6 of those. Those shapes are chords as long as you thumb the right pair of bass strings.

#3 The top book out there for begining slack key is this one at the bottom of the page. Book and CD. http://www.ozziekotani.com/music-instruction/
Most of the songs/tabs are in taropatch open G, which is what most people start out learning.

If you want to get deeper into it. http://www.slackkeybypetermed.com/index.html
The Ozzie book will keep you busy for a while.

Here is a good intro into what slack key is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3n30zlFCtg

[paul_zm]

I play exclusively in non-standard turnings...even if it's as simple as Drop-D. There are benefits and drawbacks...I just like the sound better than standard.

[Jersey tuning]

I've toyed with DADGAD and C add 9 tunings and would love to really get the hang of one of them.  Have begun to play with drop D in tunes I play in the key of D. I just need to rethink the E and G chords a tiny bit.

[Jersey tuning]

What is the advantage of these other tunings? If your guitar is tuned to a G or something then do you have to transpose all the other chords in the song?

Open tunings are an opportunity to add different flavors to your playing.  There are pro's who play exclusively in DADGAD, for example (see Pierre Bensusan).  DADGAD is noted for its mysterious Celtic sound when played open or barred fully across (its a D sus4, one of my favorite chords, played fully open).  And of course an open D or G tuning is
de rigueur for playing with a slide.  Another pro (Greg Greenway of "Brother Sun") plays all his folk, blues and pop influenced tunes in C add 9 tuning (my other favorite chord). 

If nothing else, check out D sus 4 and C add 9 chords if you don't already play them.

[MexicoMike]

This is something I would like to incorporate into my performing but, I have to admit, the only non standard tuning I use is drop D.

I fooled around a bit with DADGAD but basically, I decided that although I liked the sound for some stuff, I just didn't want to learn a bunch of new chord positions.  I was afraid that since I've been playing in standard tuning for a LOOOOOOONG time, if I started learning new chords I would get confused on stage as to what key I was in and end up playing a wrong chord.  Maybe if I worked at it a bit, that concern would disappear.  But I agree it would be a good thing.

OTOH, going in/out of the various tunings while on stage is distracting to the audience.  So even if I conquered the "wrong chord" fear, I would be a little concerned about the time taken for re-tuning.  Obviously you could have multiple instruments in the various tunings but I do not like carrying multiple instruments and, aside from that, don't care to purchase/own multiple guitars.  I have two 6-strings which is one more than I need but I can't part with my trusty Martin HD28 which served me well for many years, even though now I have switched to a Taylor 414ce.  But I do take the Martin out periodically to see if I should switch back; so far, the answer is no.

But I really do like the idea of other tunings and this thread will inspire me to look into it again, thanks!

[Jersey tuning]

At least, exploring open tunings can spur one on to learn some new partial chord shapes that SOUND like altered tuning while in standard. I wanted to play "circle game" by Joni Mitchell but was frustrated trying to learn the altered tuning she used so I transposed it into standard tuning and learned a few new chord shapes in the process.

Get an arrangement of " Urge For Going" by Joni.  It is written in standard but uses some interesting shapes which simulate altered tuning.

[imorroy]

I have tried taro patch and liked it. Of all alternate tunings, it's probably the easiest to learn. But I'm not an expert at it, by any means, and still feel most comfortable with standard tuning.

[Jersey tuning]

Ah, Taro Patch is open G tuning

[Jersey tuning]

My favorite guitar humor came at a Laurence Juber concert. Laurence, who frequently uses alternate tunings, described a tuning favored by forgetful baby boomers: ADDADD

[mgap]

Mark Kailana Nelson does a excellent lesson, 63 to present, on Slack Key guitar at Jamplay.com.  I have often thought about starting the course but have not yet.