Here we go with the tunings .
If you don't understand how this works
check my page about "Tunings in general".
If you would like a E major open tuning use the
D major tuning and raise everything (2u) or just put a capo
on the 2nd fret .
This goes for all the "higher" tunings.
For instance open A major tuning is the same as G major but then (2u)
or use the G major tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret.
Some tunings are really hard to make on a guitar with normal strings.
Sometimes you drasticly have to change the strings or use , like I do ,a
Line 6 Variax Acoustic guitar .
These tunings are shown with an *.
So these tunings with an * might be tricky for your strings but most important!!!
for your guitar!!!!!
Mind you ...this list of tunings is far from complete as I just started on it.
When finished it will be in alphabetic order.(might be around 2065)
Just to give you the taste !
If you try these tunings I would advise a spanish or classical guitar with nylon strings as
steel strings give a lot higher tension on the neck and the strings tend to break going up more then 3 or 4 notes .
Suppose you really want to go for the down tunings like the E string going down 5 or 7 tones ?
Consider using strings that are used for instance for a 10 string guitar.
The 10 string guitar uses a low A ;a low B and a low C string and special made D(low) string.
These are sold seperate by a company like f.i. Hannabach .
They have marvelous strings for almost any stringed instrument .
Very impressive !
But never forget your guitar is made for a 'tension' (and intension) never make the tension to high or the bridge might come off with all the messy consequences!
The so called "Joni" tunings are referred to Joni Mitchell.
She used a lot of open tunings but that doesn't say that all the "Joni" tunings are in her name but see it more as out of respect for her.
Normal tuning : E - A - D - G - B - E
Dropped D : D(d2) - A - D - G - B - E
Open G (major) : D(d2) - G(d2) - D - G - B - D(d2)
Double Slack : D(d2) - G(d2) - D - F#(d1) - B - D(d2)
Open D (minor ) : D(d2) - A - D - F(d2) - A(d2)- D(d2)
Open D (major) : D(d2) - A - D - F#(d1) - A(d2) - D(d2)
E McArthy : E - E(d5) - E(u2) - E(d3) - B - E *
C Major : C(d4) - G(d2) - C(d2) - G - C(1u) - E * **check about making your tunings
C major 2 : C(d4) - G(d2) - C(d2) - G - C(1u) - C(d4)*
D5 : D(d2) - A - D - D(d5) - A(d2) - D(d2)
G minor : D(2d) - G(2d) - D - G - Bb(d1) - D(2d)
G Minor : G(u3) - Bb(1u) - D - G -Bb(1d) - D(2d)*
Joni D : B(d6) - D(d7) - D - D(d5) -D(u4) - D(d2) *
DADGAD : D(d2) - A - D - G - A(d2) - D(2d)
A5 : A(d7) - A - E(u2) - E(d3) - A(2d) - A(d7)> or (5u) *
B7 : A(d7) - A - A(d5) - A(u2) - B - D(2d)
C13 : A(d7) - D (d7) - Bb(d5) - G - C(1u) - E
Dissonant 1 : B(d6) - F#(d3) - C#(d1) - D(d5)- A(d2) - D(2d)
G11 : A(d7) - B(u2) - D - F(d2) - A(d2) - C(d4)
Wahine Slack : A(d7) - B(u2) - E(u2) - F#(1d) - A(2d) - D(2d)
Amin7/Maj7 : A(d7) - C(u3) - C(d2) - G - G#(d3) - C(d4)
D7 : D(d2) - D(u5) - D - D(d5) - E(u5) - A(u5) *
Fourth : E - A - D - G - C(1u) - F (1u)
Amin : E - A - C(2d) - E (3d) - A(2d) - E
C9 : C(d4) - C(3u) - E(2u) - B(u4) - G(d4) - D(d2)
G sus 2 : C(d4) - G(d2) - D - G - A(d2) - D(d2)
G sus : D(d2) - G(d2) - D - G - C(u1) - D(d2)
C6 : C(d4) - G(d2)- C(d2) - G - A(d2) - E
Double A : D(d2) - A - D - A(u2) - A(d2) - D(d2)
E MAJ 7 : E - B(u2) - E(u2) - G#(1u) - B - D#(d1)
B11 : E - B(u2) - F#(u4) - B(u4)- C#(u2) - D(d2) *
Wahine Slack : E - B(u2) - E(u2) - G - C(u1) - E
Double A/D : D(d2) - A - E(u2) - F(d2) - A(d2) - D(d2)
Dissonant : D(d2) - G(d2) - D - F(d2) - A(d2) - Bb(d6)*
D Min6 :D(2d) - B(2u) - D - F(2d) - A(2d) - D(2d) or >>notice
D(2d) - A - D - F(2d) - B - D(2d) or instead F(1u) >>notice
notice that the 1st tuning sounds better because of the 'disonant' B and
F have more distance.There are so many ways for this tuning !
D min 6 only exists of these 4 notes > D- F-A - B ...find your way
A5 : E - A E(2u) - A (2u)- A(2d) -A (d7) !!!! better replace the E for a B string and
tune it down (2d)
* it can mean you have to change the string !Instead of using the E-string (1st) as 1 changing it it the B string or ...use a E string and put it on the 2nd strings place
**Lets try to make our "own tuning " !!!
First choose a chord ...
For instance C major
C major only has 3 different notes : C - E - G
We should find a way to not too 'high tune' or 'low tune' strings much.
The strings are tuned E - A - D - G - B - E and we should try to stay close to these
notes.
Low E can stay the same as it is in the C chord
For the A string we can do this :
tune it up to C(u3) or E(u7) or down to G (d2)..yes the last one is better because you take the tension down for the string but also for the guitar
For the D string we can tune down to C (d2) or up to E(u2)
G remains the same
B comes close to C so (1u)
And the E string stays the same .
So the final tuning is :
E - G(2d) - C(2d) - G - C(1u) - E you can check the 5th and 3rd string in octaves
and the same for the 4th and 2nd string.
I have over 300 different tunings for guitar but many are a 'variation' on a theme.
Using Dm as open gives you Em with capo on the 2nd Fm on 3rd etc.
Most of them are 'born' out of chords ( remember that!).
If you are 'heavy ' into changing tunes for you guitar please consider 2 things :
1:use a Spanish or classical guitar ( no expensive concert guitar) because nylon
can have very different tensions
2:think of using different strings on different places ..maybe using a 1st string on the 2nd
place or a 5th string on the 4th place (place is where you normally put the right string)
to get the right result.
For a E - A -E(u2)-A(u2) - A(d2) - A (d7) I used a B string (2) for the E
Some things forbidden :
- tune up any higher then 5u (it is really the limit )
- tune the 6th lower then B (it almost has no vibrance anymore)
- swear in church
- play guitar when you are younger then 1 year old(might stick everything in your mouth)
- show off (only allowed when showing a new dress or jeans)
- forgot the ferryman(me...leave me a suggestion)
- not to have fun