6 Alternative Tunings Every Guitarist Should Try

Consider how many hours you've spent crafting a sound through amplifiers, guitars and effects pedals with the intention of making it your own identity, only to feel that you're lacking that certain something. An alternative tuning is what you're looking for. In this tutorial, I'll explain how tuning your guitar to a nonstandard tuning gives your music a unique sound and approach and gives you a unique identity.  In this tutorial, I'll cover the following topics: Equipment String gaugesSetupTuning tips Multiple guitarsTypes of guitar tunings1. Equipment Use a chromatic tuner. For tuning at home, a mobile phone application will be sufficient. VITALtuner by Otreus IncFor live performing, invest in a chromatic tuner like the popular Boss – TU-3. Speed up the tuning process using a string winder.String Winder by Jim Dunlop 2. String GaugesYou should restring a guitar with a different string gauge than the one you're using for standard tuning. This helps keep the appropriate tension across the strings for consistency of tone and ease of playing.   When selecting a string gauge, you should be aiming for a gauge that gives you the same tension that the guitar was set up for, but with an alternative tuning. The table below shows the average tension of a set of gauge 0.010–0.046 guitar strings. PitchString Gauge Diameter (inches)Tension (Ibs)E0.01016.2B0.01315.4G0.01716.6D0.02618.4A0.03619.5E0.046 17.5Let's say you want to up-tune your 6th string from the standard E to an F—a rise of a semi-tone. Locate the tension for the 6th string (lower E) with a gauge of 0.046'. This will be 17.5 Ibs.Now locate the closest string tension to 17.5 Ibs in the F column. The closest is 18.0 Ibs, which gives you a string gauge of 0.044'.   Gauge (Lower E)cBAGFEDC0.03932.228.722.818.114.312.810.18.00.04237.233.126.320.916.614.811.79.30.04440.536.128.722.718.016.112.810.10.04644.039.231.124.719.617.513.911.00.04847.742.533.726.821.218.915.011.90.04949.544.235.027.822.119.715.612.40.05255.449.439.231.124.722.017.413.9You may wish to use the site String Tension Pro in selecting the most appropriate gauge for your alternative tuning. 3. SetupBe aware that the guitar may bow slightly, which is normal, due to a change in string gauge and tuning. If so, a setup will most likely be required, which will involve altering the truss rod to correct the bow of the neck, and bridge to correct string height and intonation. You may find Fariz Pahlevi's tutorial on setting up a guitar to be helpful.   4. Tuning Tips Always start with the 6th string. Once the strings are tuned, pull on each string about an inch between the neck and the bridge, most likely sending them out of tune. Repeat the process until pulling the strings from the fretboard doesn't alter the guitar's tuning. 5. Multiple Guitars If you're performing live with, for example, three different alternative tunings, ideally you're going to need three different guitars for the following reasons: Repeated tuning wears on strings.Strings don't become immediately stable.Setup will alter—neck relief, string height, and intonation.Retuning takes time.6. Types of Guitar Tunings The alternative tunings have been divided into six types: Dropped—D, Double D and BLoweredOpenDAD-GADNashville Signature How to Read the Tuning Tables BelowThe top row contains the string numbers—6th string being the lowest in pitch.The bottom row contains the pitches. If a pitch is in bold, then this indicates that this string is in non-standard tuning.DroppedDropped DDrop D is often the first alternative tuning that everyone tries. It's not surprising given the number of well-known songs that have been created from drop D tuning and that it's quick and easy to do. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stDADGBERecommended listening: Dear Prudence by The Beatles Go by Pearl JamDouble Dropped DThe same as dropped D but now with the 1st string detuned to D too. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stDADGBDRecommended listening: Nobody's Fault But My Own by Beck Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young Dropped BPlay a power chord on the 6th and 5th strings in dropped B and the playing octaves. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stBADGBERecommended listening: The Worm by Audioslave March of The Fire Ants by MastodonLoweredThis is when all the strings are lowered but at the same interval. You may find Ryan Leach's tutorial helpful on intervals. Lowered tuning is often used in hard rock and heavy metal music. Easy to play with guitars that have a high action or larger gauge strings or simply to keep in range with the voice. One Half Step Lower6th5th4th3rd2nd1stEbAbDbGbBbEbRecommended listening:Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix The God That Failed by Metallica Two Full Steps Lower 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stCFBbEbGCRecommended listening:No One Knows by Queens Of The Stone Age The Everlasting Gaze by The Smashing Pumpkins OpenOpen tuning is where you tune a guitar to a chord. So, for example, if you strummed the open strings without fretting them, it would play a chord. It can also be good for complete beginners, as you only have to use one finger to barre the strings to perform a different chord. This tuning is also useful for rhythm or slide guitar.Open GAs the root is played from the 5th string, it's not uncommon to remove the 6th string from the guitar. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stDGDGBDRecommended listening: Walking Blues by Robert Johnson Fearless by Pink Floyd Open DThe open D often has more bass to the sound than open G. This is due to the root note of the chord being on the 6th string, unlike the open G above where the root lies on the 5th string. 6th5th 4th3rd2nd1stDADF#ADRecommended listening: Time for Me to Fly by REO Speedwagon It Hurts Me Too by Elmore James DAD-GADSometimes referred to as Celtic tuning, this catchily named tuning has found its way into folk and rock music. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stDADGADRecommended listening: Ain't No Grave by Johnny Cash Save It for Later by Pete Townshend NashvilleNashville tuning was born in the home of country music. This doesn't mean that it is used by country musicians only. It's the same notes as standard tuning, but with the lower four strings (6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd) pitched an octave higher. 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stEADGBEThe EADG strings should be replaced with lighter unwound string gauges. You might want to read Toby Pitman's tutorial for a more in-depth look at Nashville tuning. Recommended listening: Dust in the Wind by Kansas Skyway by The Replacements Signature TuningsThroughout guitar history, artists have made a huge number of inspiring tones. These sounds aren't always created from amps and effect pedals alone. Below are a few guitarists who have sculptured their own sounds by exploring alternative tunings that they have made their own.   Sonic Youth 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stF#F#F#F#EBRecommended listening: Pipeline/Kill time by Sonic Youth My Bloody Valentine 6th5th4th3rd2nd1stF#F#F#F#CF#Recommended listening: Swoon by My Bloody ValentineNick Drake6th5th4th3rd2nd1stGGDGBDRecommended listening: Place to Be by Nick DrakeJimmy Page6th5th4th3rd2nd1stCACGCERecommended listening: Friends by Led Zeppelin ConclusionAlternative tuning can open up a whole new world of possibilities. I hope this tutorial inspires you to write a first piece of music in nonstandard tuning and maybe even to create your own tuning, giving you and your music an individual identity.