Build a guitar. Examples of low, open, and standard tuning tuning on a guitar

Guitar Build – What is it?

guitar tuning is the way your instrument’s strings are tuned. This question has occupied a huge number of musicians since antiquity, and almost every nation that has stringed instruments at its disposal invented its own tunings. However, modern music theory uses a tuning based on the Spanish approach – each string is sounded a fourth to the next.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at alternative tunings that are also commonly used in music. This information is useful not only for guitarists who play acoustic instruments, but also for electric guitar lovers.

Letter symbols

In terms of lettering, everything is very simple – the principle is the same as in the designation of chords. Each note has its own letter, just tune the guitar on your tuner until the device shows that it sounds even.

In addition, not only large, but also small letters are used in the formations. Thus, the strings of the upper and lower octaves are marked – that is, E is the sixth string, which gives the note Mi, and e is the first string with the same sound.

See also: Tuning your guitar with your phone

Types of guitar building

In fact, there are a huge number of species, but the main three are:

Standard tuning – this is not only the classic Spanish EADGBE, but all tunings that are composed according to this principle. The strings between each other give an interval – a quart, except for the fourth and fifth, which are tuned to a diminished fifth. Thus, a tuning such as DGCFAD is also a standard tuning, only referred to as Standard D.

Drop machines – very close to the standard system, which differs only in the sound of the sixth string. It is tuned in a fifth to the fifth and an octave to the fourth. In this way, fifth chords are much easier to pin down, and more interesting harmonies can be created with this. Basically, this tuning is used in metal.

open tunings – quite a popular way to tune the guitar in folk music. Their main difference lies in the fact that when played on open strings, a clear chord sounds, which indicates the name.

Standard guitar tuning

As mentioned above, the standard tunings are based on the classic Spanish tuning – that is, in a fourth and an augmented fifth. This is the most basic tuning that all guitarists start with. It is the easiest to learn to play scales on it, and it is in it that most of the classical works are written.

reduced action

lower tunings is a tuning at which the strings give a sound lower than the standard.

How to lower the tuning of a guitar

Very simple – guitar string tuning should go down. That is, you simply tune the instrument so that it sounds a tone or more lower than the standard tuning.

Build Drop D (Drop D)

A basic drop tuning in which the sixth string drops a tone lower. The designation looks like this: DADGBE. This tuning is used in a huge amount of music – for example, it is used by Linkin Park and many other famous bands.

Sound example

Build Drop C

Essentially the same as Drop D, only the strings drop another tone. The markup is as follows – CGCFAD. Teams such as Converge, All That Remains play in this system. Drop C is a very popular tuning in metal, and especially in core music.

Sound example

Double Drop-D

This setting was often used by Neil Young. It looks like a regular Drop D, but the first string is tuned in an octave from the sixth. In this way, it becomes easier to play fingerpicks that require simultaneous action of the sixth and first strings.

DISCHARGE

A lowered tuning, which differs in that the strings do not have a third to each other, which makes it more convenient to play modal music. Thus, it is very convenient to play violin and bagpipe parts, translating them to the guitar.

Sound example

Low tuning strings

It is also worth mentioning which strings are better for low tunings. The answer is simple – thicker than usual. The standard thickness of 10-46 will no longer be enough for ultra-low settings like the Drop B. So go for a thicker one that will give it enough tension. Usually it is written on the packs for which tuning the strings are optimal, but in general, you can deviate from this designation by a couple of tones.

Open tunings of the guitar

Open D

This tuning forms a D major chord when played on open strings. It looks like this: DADF#AD. Thanks to this setup, it is much more convenient to play some chords, as well as play positions from the barre.

Sound example

Open G action

By analogy with Open D, the open strings here sound like a G major chord. This system looks like this – DGDGBD. In this system plays his songs, for example, Alexander Rosenbaum.

Sound example

Open C

Actually, the same as the tunings described above – with this tuning, open strings give a C chord. It looks like this – CGCGCE.

Raised tunings

There are also raised tunings – when the standard tuning rises a few tones. It is worth saying that this is very dangerous for both the guitar and the strings, since increasing the tension can deform the neck, as well as cause the strings to break. It is recommended to use thinner strings or a capo.

Safe tuning up with a capo

Capo for guitar – a great solution if you need to increase the system. With it, you can change it without undue tension by clamping the strings at any fret.

What you need to know when changing the tuning on the guitar

Most importantly, remember the thickness of the strings. When playing at lower tunings, it is worth remembering that thin options will dangle and give less sustain. Thicker strings give a lot of tension even at low settings, making the guitar sound much better.

All alternative guitar tunings

Below is a table listing all existing guitar tunings. However, nothing prevents you from trying to come up with something of your own by tuning the guitar to your liking.