Hymns and gospel tunes in open G?

[scantron81]

Anyone have a quick reference guide for playing oldies in open G?

I lead music for a summer camp where we do a lot of traditional songs. Staff and campers grew slightly bored with the standard version of songs so I've tried to change them up ever so slightly. The trouble with changing up standards is that people usually don't appreciate any change. So, it is tricky and like walking on hot coals. We've made some numbers a little more juke-y and even done flat out surf versions of some of the more kid focused tunes (Pharaoh Pharaoh, Oil in My Lamp, etc).
So, I'd like to incorporate some open tunings and possibly slide guitar into some of the other tunes (This Train is Bound for Glory, Shall We Gather at the River, etc). I was messing around with the latter tune tonight and it got me thinking I should ask you guys.

So, can you recommend any traditional songs with open tunings or a good reference for such stuff?

Thanks guys!

[donh]

I don't understand the question.

You can play most anything in open-G. Once you have the chord forms, just try the tune. It gets pretty obvious if it works or no. Mostly it works! :-)

Sometimes it works better as an accompaniment than a leader position, but you'll have that.

1-4 tunes are crazy easy, the minor forms are a bit much but once you get there it's great fun.

[scantron81]

Yeah, see I'm learning chord forms, so I'm wondering if there is a reference site or map showing them on the fret board. I've been sitting on the porch pecking things out but it helps to have a map of sorts.

[donh]

I have an acoustic that loves open tunings. The builder played in DADGAD, and Open-G just rings in my head, especially with that guitar. So I just kinda found stuff ...

Lately I amuse myself by seeing how long I can last in a group situation w/o changing to standard.

Here's a few links: http://goo.gl/68vHJ

[Ronsonic]

Amazing Grace is the standard to tune a lap steel.

[revelator]

I lead worship for years with DADGAD. As in I played every song, every time in that tuning. DADGAD plus a capo & you're good. The nice thing with DADGAD is that it frees you up to play little lead lines & second guitar parts without ever loosing your rhythm.

[GeetarPlayer]

Originally Posted by revelator

I lead worship for years with DADGAD. As in I played every song, every time in that tuning. DADGAD plus a capo & you're good. The nice thing with DADGAD is that it frees you up to play little lead lines & second guitar parts without ever loosing your rhythm.

Can you elaborate on that last sentence?

[revelator]

I'll write more later but here's a video of roughly what I'm talking about(made by someone I don't know but it popped up quick on youtube)



I only had time to watch the first 2min of it, it's not the best playing & it's WAY out dated but it gives the rough idea

[LGOberean]

Well, thanks for the idea! This thread caught my eye, and when I read the OP, it sounded like a good idea. Heretofore I've done very little with open G, but I tuned to it, and started working on "Shall We Gather at the River." Didn't have any chords or reference available, so I just played around with it until I found what I liked.

Before long, I had worked out something that works (for me). Then I realized that "Down to the River To Pray" worked as well, and, even better, worked as a medley. So that's what I'm doing with open G: a "Down to the River To Pray"/"Shall We Gather at the River?" medley.

And I relate, revelator. This open G tuning, like you said about DADGAD, "frees you up to play little lead lines & second guitar parts without ever loosing [sic] your rhythm." I wasn't able to access that YouTube vid you posted (error occurred?), but I've experienced what you're talking about.

[StootMonster]

Any time I play with open tunings, I can't help but use the slide and then it turns into a big funky blues/rock sounding version of songs (which people usually get into, btw)...

I'm not much for fingerpicking songs.

[praisebass]

How 'bout 'Give Me Oil in My Lamp' tele tuned to open G, use Keith Richards licks ala 'Honky Tonk Woman'? Lots o' fun!

[74 Deluxe]

pick up a gospel dulcimer book... there's a few out there.

[scantron81]

Originally Posted by praisebass

How 'bout 'Give Me Oil in My Lamp' tele tuned to open G, use Keith Richards licks ala 'Honky Tonk Woman'? Lots o' fun!

Oh yes, this is a nightly request.