Build D on the guitar. And guitar music of all styles and directions

In this article on the site we will talk about alternative guitar tunings.

Unusual guitar tuning is a type of tuning that differs from the classical and generally accepted fourth tuning.

It is important to understand that we are talking here about open strings, that is, notes will be extracted from open strings without pressing.

The classic tuning of a six-string guitar in notes looks like this (from the first string to the sixth): E (mi), H (si), G (sol), D (re), A (la), E (mi).

This tuning is used by guitarists 95% of the time and is considered the default tuning.

For example, if you see a chord grid with the indicated finger placement, it means that this classical tuning is implied, and you only need to use it.

On the other hand, there are a lot of musical groups that take advantage of their individual tuning of instruments. Often, such an alternative tuning differs little from the generally accepted one, and the changes affect only individual strings.

For example, the sixth bass string in heavy musical styles is often lowered a tone lower - from MI - to RE, and an additional seventh string SI (the thickest) is added.

Similar techniques of alternative tuning are used on the bass guitar, especially the five-string, where instead of the classical MI there is a SI or even a SI-flat in the bass.

If you look at the tabs of the same Korn, Sepultura or Cannibal Corpse, you will definitely notice the use of alternative guitar tuning.

However, custom guitar tuning is not limited to just one string. The same metal bands, in order to give the music more heaviness and darkness, rebuild the entire guitar.

For example, the classical guitar tuning often shifts entirely down a semitone or tone, moving from the general tuning of fourths MI to the general tuning of RE.

All this is implemented simply: all the strings of the guitar are lowered at the same interval lower, which achieves a special lowered sound.

On the other hand, alternative guitar tunings are often used in other styles.

In jazz, in blues, in grunge and even in rock.

For example, when playing with a slider (a special tip placed on the guitarist’s finger), it is very convenient to line up the guitar in fifths, so that when the fret is pressed, a whole chord can be heard without dissonant notes. Similar practices are found in other styles of music.

Unusual guitar tuning, alternative tuning

In order not to bore the reader with long stories, we will present several alternative tuning options for a six-string guitar. You can use these settings variations at your own discretion.

For example, to diversify your playing, to find new musical ideas, to change the monotonous classical sound of an instrument...

Alternate tuning of a guitar is usually implemented so that all of the open strings of the instrument produce a specific minor or major chord.

When playing in this tuning, you can simply press entire frets of the guitar and get new chords.

For example, by tuning a guitar in D major and plucking all the strings at the fifth fret, you will get a pure G major, and at the seventh fret you will get an A major.

Note: The examples below indicate an alternative order of notes from the SIXTH string to the FIRST string (the sixth is the far left and the first is the far right).

To perform the correct tuning you will have to either tighten or loosen individual strings, going beyond the generally accepted tuning.

1. Alternative guitar tuning in D major (D):

2. Unusual guitar tuning in G major (G):

3. Tuning a six-string guitar in the key of C major (C):

4. Alternative tuning E major (E):

5. Non-standard tuning G minor (Gm):

6. Alternative guitar tuning in D minor (Dm):

7. Unusual tuning of a six-string guitar in the key of A minor (Am):

And a few more completely unusual configuration options:

8. SOL fret tuning (G):

9. Alternative tuning in PE fret (D):

10. Guitar stand in A major (A major):

11. Tuning a guitar with sol bass:

12. Unusual tuning of an instrument with bass BEFORE:

13. Bass retuned to PE (D):

14. Guitar tuning with a lowered first string:

Note: "B" is the symbol for B-flat, and simply B is written as "H". Moreover, in the pictures for this article, “B” indicates the note SI.

This confusion is associated with the notation of the SI note in various forms of musical notation, but don’t let this scare you. In the article, the pure note SI is designated exclusively as “H”.

As you can see, there are different approaches to rebuilding a six-string instrument. In some cases, all notes are changed, and in some situations, only some strings are twisted (not all).

For example, changes are often made to the bass strings, and you may see this option especially often. The most problematic type of guitar tuning is adding strings.

To implement such a tuning, you will either need to use a seven-string instrument, or shift all the strings, adding a thick B string in the bass.

In general, you could come up with such alternative tunings yourself, experimenting with different guitar tunings.

Do not think that all possible options are limited to only the 14 examples described above. In fact, there are many, many more alternative configuration methods!

Retuning an acoustic guitar into an alternative tuning can be inspiring, because with a little manipulation, you can access non-standard open strings, and with it, transitions between chord forms that would normally be impossible. Today we will meet some alternative tunings for acoustic guitar, and we will also clearly determine how the placement of chords changes after restructuring.

Drop D (DADGBE)

Open D (DADF#AD)

Open D is widely used in folk and blues and is great for slide playing. The tuning brings the guitar range closer to the piano, which gives expression and expressiveness. Experiment with harmony in this tuning, because in order to place a chord on the 5th, 7th and 12th fret you only need one finger.

Open D minor (DADFAD)

We wrote about Open D minor on an acoustic guitar in a separate article, so we advise you to get acquainted with it. This tuning is great for folk, blues and even metal.

Open E (EBEG#BE)

Open E is similar to Open D, but this tuning has not been lost on slide guitarists such as Elmore James, Jah Walsh and Derek Trucks. Rearranging the instrument into this tuning will truly be something new and unusual for many guitarists, because instead of weakening the strings, we, on the contrary, tighten them.

Open G (DGDGBD)

Non-classical settings are used for the convenience of playing in certain musical genres or musical works.

Classic setting method

1. tuning fork
2. The 1st string is used to tune the 2nd string, which, being pressed at the V fret, should sound the same as the 1st open (not pressed) string.
3. The 3rd string, pressed at the 4th fret, is tuned to the 2nd open string.
4. The 4th string, pressed on the V fret, is tuned to the 3rd open string.
5. The 5th string, pressed at the V fret, is tuned to the 4th open string.
6. The 6th string, pressed at the V fret, is tuned to the 5th open string.

Tuning with harmonics and temperament

Allows for much more precise tuning, since the accuracy of the frets is not always sufficient.

1. The 1st string is tuned according to the control sound - the sound tuning fork- or by the sound of an already tuned musical instrument.
2. The 6th string is tuned so that it harmonic at the V fret sounded in unison with the 1st string.
3. The 5th string is tuned so that its harmonic on the 7th fret sounds in unison with the 1st string, and then it is slightly pulled up so that beats frequency 0.372 Hz (one beat per 2.7 seconds).
4. The 4th string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 7th fret sounds in unison with the harmonic of the 5th string at the 5th fret, and then slightly tightened so that a beat occurs with a frequency of 0.497 Hz (one beat per 2.01 seconds).
5. The 3rd string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 7th fret sounds in unison with the harmonic of the 4th string at the 5th fret, and then slightly tightened so that a beat occurs with a frequency of 0.664 Hz (one beat per 1.51 seconds).
6. The 2nd string is tuned so that its harmonic at the 5th fret sounds almost in unison with the harmonic of the 1st string at the 7th fret, but is slightly shortened so that a beat with a frequency of 1.12 Hz is heard (one beat per 0.9 seconds).

When tuning using the tuning fork A (“A”), the 5th string is tuned first (the harmonic on the V fret in unison with the tuning fork), then the 1st and 6th, and then the 4th, 3rd and 2nd.

With good hearing, having accumulated sufficient experience, you can do without taking harmonics, catching the beats overtones in the sound of open strings.

Since changing the string tension leads to deformation of the guitar body and detuning of the remaining strings, it is recommended to tune the guitar in 2-3 iterations, the first of which can be done without temperament (without carefully calculating the beat frequency).

Lower tunings of a six-string guitar

Lower (that is, lower than the usual EBGDAE tuning) tunings are used for more convenient playing in a certain key, or to obtain a lower, “heavy” sound. In particular, many rock guitarists love the so-called. Drop tunings, which are named by adding to “Drop” a note on the 6th string that drops 1 tone below the first (for example: Drop C = DAFCGC). To change from a classical tuning to some lower tuning, all the strings of the guitar are lowered by a certain interval (for example, to change to tuning D, you need to lower all the strings of the guitar by a tone). To lower the guitar's tuning by more than a tone, you may need to change the strings to thicker ones due to the weakening of their tension. Also for tunings below B (si) they are mainly used baritone guitars.

String	Scale E♭ (E-flat)		Build D (re)		Scale D♭ (D-flat)		Build C (before)		System B (si)
	Note	Frequency (in hertz)	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency
First	e♭¹ (E-flat first octaves)	311.13	d¹ (D first octave)	293.66	d♭¹ (D-flat first octave)	277.18	c¹ (to the first octave)	261.63	b (B small octave)	246.94
Second	b♭ (B-flat small octave)	233.08	a (A small octave)	220.00	a♭ (A-flat small octave)	207.00	g (small octave sol)	196.00	g♭ (G-flat small octave)	185.00
Third	g♭ (G-flat small octave)	185.00	f (f small octave)	174.62	e (minor octave E)	164.81	e♭ (small octave E-flat)	155.56	d (small octave D)	147.83
Fourth	d♭ (D-flat small octave)	138.59	c (to small octave)	130.82	B (big octave B)	123.48	B♭ (B-flat major octave)	116.54	A (A major octave)	110.00
Fifth	A♭ (A-flat major octave)	103.80	G (major octave G)	98.00	G♭ (G flat major octave)	92.50	F (major octave F)	87.31	E (major octave E)	82.41
Sixth	E♭ (major octave E-flat)	77.78	D (major octave D)	73.91	D♭ (D-flat major octave)	69.30	C (to major octave)	65.41	B¹ (B counter octave)	61.74
Notes

Open C

One of the characteristic features is the ease of extracting basic major chords. A simple barre at the 2nd fret will give "D", 4th fret will give "E", 5th fret will give "F" and so on. Open strings will give you "C".

In order to tune a guitar in “Open C”, you need (starting from the “standard tuning”): 1st string (thin) Leave as in the “standard tuning” - “E” (“E”)
2nd string. Raise half a step to “C” (“C”)
3rd string. Leave as in “standard tuning” - “Salt” (“G”)
4th string. Lower one step to “Before” (“C”)
5th string. Lower one step to “Salt” (“G”)
6th string (thick). Lower by two steps from “E” to “Do” (“C”)

Raised tunings of a six-string guitar

Increasing guitar tuning, especially classical, may damage the instrument, as well as to injuries due to a sudden break of a tightened string.

To improve the build you can use capo. If rebuilding your guitar is necessary, it is recommended to use a thinner set of strings.

String	Build F (fa)		Tuning F# (F-sharp)		Tuning G (sol)		G# scale (G sharp)		System A (la)
	Note	Frequency (in hertz)	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency	Note	Frequency
First	f¹ (fa first octaves)	349.23	f¹# (F-sharp first octave)	369.99	g¹ (sol of the first octave)	392.00	g¹# (G-sharp first octave)	415.30	a¹ (A first octave)	440.00
Second	с¹ (to the first octave)	261.63	с¹# (C-sharp of the first octave)	277.18	d¹ (D first octave)	293.66	D¹# (D-sharp first octave)	311.13	e¹ (E first octave)	311.13
Third	g# (G-sharp small octave)	207.00	a (A small octave)	220.00	a# (A-sharp small octave)	233.08	b (B small octave)	246.94	c¹ (to the first octave)	261.63
Fourth	d# (d-sharp small octave)	155.56	e (minor octave E)	164.81	f (f small octave)	174.62	f# (F-sharp small octave)	185.00	g (small octave sol)	196.00
Fifth	A# (A-sharp major octave)	116.54	B (big octave B)	123.48	c (to small octave)	130.82	c# (C-sharp small octave)	138.59	d (small octave D)	147.83
Sixth	F (major octave F)	87.31	F# (F-sharp major octave)	92.50	G (major octave G)	98.00	G# (G-sharp major octave)	103.80	A (A major octave)	110.00
Notes

"Drop D" formation

This tuning differs from the classical one in that it is lowered by tone sixth string. It is often used by musicians playing in the style Hard rock on electric guitar, as it makes it easier to play fifth chords ( English power-chord), also some classical guitar works were written for him (in the keys of D major and D minor).

"Drop C" formation

Used to produce an even lower and “heavier” sound on an electric guitar. Unlike the classical system, all strings except the sixth tune in to tone below and sixth string- on two tones.
Like the Drop D tuning, it is used to play fifth chords.

Double Drop-D formation

The tuning is similar to Drop D, differing in that the first string is lowered a tone. For tuning from classical tuning first And sixth the string is lowered to tone.
In this tuning, the top four open strings of the guitar form a G major chord, making it easier to play slide. Double drop D was often used by the performer Neil Young.

Build "DADGAD"

The system most commonly used in folk music. It was invented by British guitarist David Graham for more convenient playing from notes recorded for violins or bagpipes.
To change the “DADGAD” system from the classic one, you need to lower it to tone first, second And sixth strings.

Build "DADDAD"

The “Papa-Papa” tuning is most suitable both for use in folk music (Celtic) and for playing rhythm guitar parts in “heavy” (alternative) music, 4 notes at a time. To change the tuning “DADDAD” from the classical one, you need to lower it to tone first, second And sixth strings. A third tune in unison with fourth.

Build "Open D"

In this tuning, the open strings form a D major chord. It is mainly used on slide guitars.
To rebuild into this system from the classical first, second And sixth strings drop to tone, third goes down to semitone.

"Open G" build

In this tuning, the open strings form a G major chord.
To change to "Open G" tuning from the classic first, fifth And sixth strings drop to tone.

"New Standard"

Also known as "Crafty tuning". Tuning designed by a musician Robert Fripp and used by him since 1983. Unlike the classic " quart» building, the system proposed by Robert Fripp is closer to bowed string instruments, and first, second And third strings are tuned in the same way violin.Tuning to this tuning may require replacing the lower strings with thicker ones and the upper strings with thinner ones.

"Alternative tuning Cross A"

E-A-E-A-E-A. "Sitar A" is an alternative lowered guitar tuning. Reminds me of the sound of an Indian sitar. Great for creating Indian (oriental) music.

Seven-string tunings

Standard

The structure of the strings of a seven-string guitar is mixed - third-fourth, so the chord of the open strings is consonant (major quarter-sixth chord), unlike a six-string guitar. This system is considered classical (academic).

Tuning an electric guitar is a complex process that is very difficult for beginners to master. The fact is that an electric guitar is a complex instrument, the tuning of which is not limited only to tuning the strings; in comparison with a regular guitar, the process of tuning an electric guitar is more complex and requires more attention. Also, if you just purchased a new guitar, then you need to fully tune it, otherwise the instrument will not sound, it will sound bad on high frets.

Well, if you're ready, then let's get started. First of all, we will clean the electric guitar from excess dirt; the fact is that over time, dirt forms on the frets, which, as you understand, does not contribute to the purity of the sound of your instrument.

Preparation

So, we take the guitar and carefully remove the strings (as mentioned above - to remove dirt), first remove the first, then the sixth, then the fifth and the second. This sequence is necessary to prevent the bar from being pulled to the side..

After the strings are removed, check whether the pegs are screwed to the electric guitar well; it often happens that they are loose, thereby your guitar is constantly out of tune and sounds bad. Tighten the bolts on the pegs so that the pegs are stable and do not wobble.

Now we take a dry one (under no circumstances take a wet rag, moisture is strictly contraindicated for an electric guitar) and carefully wipe the frets on the fretboard, removing all dried dirt, if any. Your guitar has most likely been hanging in a store and dirt may have accumulated while it was there, so cleaning is necessary even for a new instrument.

Before installing strings (preferably new ones), carefully treat all the bolts on the bridge with graphite lubricant or, if you don’t have one, you can use machine oil. This is done so that the bolts do not rust and in the future it will be convenient for you to adjust the scale. After all the above operations, install the strings. Place the strings in the same way as you removed them: first the sixth string, then the first, fifth, second, fourth and third. You need to put it in exactly this order so that, as already mentioned, you do not bend the bar to one side.

Strings

After the guitar is cleaned and the strings are set, the first thing you need to do is tune the strings (it is advisable to start with the standard ones, i.e. E,A,D,G,B,E,). At the end of the article, we will also talk about the lower tuning of the guitar, so don’t worry, but use the standard one for tuning.

You can tune the guitar using a tuner (it is advisable to use this method the first time, in order for the tuning to be as accurate as possible), using a program on a personal computer -, and you can also tune the guitar by ear -.

An anchor is a metal rod that is located inside the neck of an electric guitar and prevents its deformation. At one end of the anchor there is a nut for adjustment. Before you start adjusting the truss rod, you need to check the bend of the neck:

• press the fast string on the first fret and the same string, but only on the seventeenth fret;
• look at the gap (distance from the string to the frets), it should be no more than 0.3 mm;
• if the gap is large, then tighten the anchor nut; if there is no gap, then loosen the nut accordingly.

If you do not understand the principle of operation of the anchor, then it is better not to touch it; adjusting the scale and strings will be enough.

Mensura

Let's move on to setting the scale. The scale is the length from the bridge to the nut of your instrument. Its tuning is necessary so that the electric guitar, on the upper frets, sounds in accordance with your tuning, and not “all differently.” If you have encountered the fact that the guitar on the upper frets does not sound or quickly goes out of tune, then know that it is not tuned, namely, the scale.

Steps for setting up, standard tuning (to adjust the scale length you will definitely need a tuner):

• we play the first open one, the tuner should show the note E (E), we play the same string on the twelfth fret, the tuner should also show the note E (E);
• if the tuner shows a sound higher than required, then slightly tighten the bolt on the bridge; if the tuner shows a sound lower than required, then, accordingly, loosen the bolt a little;
• again we tune the first, open, string and then repeat the entire operation described above until the string and scale are tuned;
• This way we adjust the scale on all strings.

Build

Most modern bands playing heavy music use lower tuning. Drop tuning allows you to play lower chords on your electric guitar. This allows you to make the guitar sound more “heavy”, which is typical for metal bands..

The following are mainly popular:

• Low tuning D-Sharp Standard (D#) (adjustable - D# A# F# C# G# D#);
• Low tuning Re-Standard (D) (adjustable - D A F C G D);
• Low tuning C-Sharp Standard (C#) (adjustable - C# G# E B F# C#);
• Low tuning C-standard (C) (adjustable - C G D# A# F C);

Drop tunings

Also very often used are so-called DROP tunings. When playing this tuning, the guitarist plays the fifth (rock chord) with one finger, which makes playing complex parts much easier.

• Drop tuning D-Sharp (D#) (tuned - C# G# C# F# A# D#);
• Drop tuning D (D) (adjustable - C G C F A D);
• Drop tuning C-Sharp (C#) (tuned - B# F# B E G# C#);
• Drop tuning C (C) (adjustable - A# F A# D# G C);

In order to tune your electric guitar to the required tuning, simply lower the tone of your strings to the required note; for these purposes, it is best to use a tuner.