Open G tuning

[superhand]

I like to mess around with open tunings here and there, I especially like open G (DGDGBD). I don't use the low D that much and it sometimes seems like it is just in the way. I know that some guys just take it off and play five string. That doesn't work for me because I like to switch to regular tuning. I have also tried tuning my it up to G so then it would be GGDGBD but then I run in to intonation problems up the neck with those two doubled strings not being in tune with each other.

The real solution I think is to have several guitars and have each one set up for different tunings and just leave them that way, but I don't have that kind of money.

Anybody have any ideas for me to try?

[Budda]

Find more ways to incorporate the Low D? It IS the "5th. Below" after all!

I find it a very useful Interval to have in the Bass register.

[chezdeluxe]

A compromise Half G tuning I sometimes use for slide goes like this.

Tune the treble E string down to D.

This puts the first 4 strings in open G major whilst leaving the E and A bass strings alone.

Familiar chord shapes are easily played if you mute the first string where necessary.

It is easy to retune to standard tuning .

The downside is not having an open G string in the bass.

[brokenjoe]

Originally Posted by chezdeluxe

A compromise Half G tuning I sometimes use for slide goes like this.

Tune the treble E string down to D.

This puts the first 4 strings in open G major whilst leaving the E and A bass strings alone.

Familiar chord shapes are easily played if you mute the first string where necessary.

It is easy to retune to standard tuning .

The downside is not having an open G string in the bass.

I've used that one a fair bit as well. The extension of that one is to drop both E strings down to D.

Beyond that, getting used to NOT hitting that low D when in open G tuning is probably easier than learning a whole new tuning....

[superhand]

Originally Posted by Budda

Find more ways to incorporate the Low D? It IS the "5th. Below" after all!

I find it a very useful Interval to have in the Bass register.

This is generally what I try to do. It just seems odd to me that the 5th is the lowest note. To me it should be the root.

I also mess around with open D (DADF#AD) but I prefer the sound and the feel of open G.

[superhand]

Originally Posted by chezdeluxe

A compromise Half G tuning I sometimes use for slide goes like this.

Tune the treble E string down to D.

This puts the first 4 strings in open G major whilst leaving the E and A bass strings alone.

Familiar chord shapes are easily played if you mute the first string where necessary.

It is easy to retune to standard tuning .

The downside is not having an open G string in the bass.

Yeah I like having that low G. Without that, I'd rather just play in standard tuning.

I'm not even talking about tunings for slide. I don't have too much trouble with low D when I'm playing slide because lately I usually only play one string at a time, which was kind of a breakthrough for me with my slide technique. It sounds much more focused and less noisy, IMO.

Open E is nice for slide too, gives you more string tension, therefore less buzz.