Guitarist's Thread

[OneBardGooner]

A certain Oirish guitarist also plays the banjo well whaddya know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymA8T-ZW ... re=related

[DB10GOONER]

A certain Oirish guitarist also plays the banjo well whaddya know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymA8T-ZW ... re=related

Honestly never knew you were Oirish!

[OneBardGooner]

A certain Oirish guitarist also plays the banjo well whaddya know!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymA8T-ZW ... re=related

Honestly never knew you were Oirish!

Now THAT is an Insult!

[OneBardGooner]

Help Needed....I have a very decent (Quality) acoustic guitar, but have been given another acoustic guitar...and want to try out the GADDAG tuning.

I understand people like John Martyn and Joni Mitchell amongst many others have often used it in some of their songs, and would like to try it, but I'm unsure where to begin (as in what note is the G on the 6th string etc)...I know there are some advanced players on here, and was wondering if anyone has used/uses GADDAG, or knows how to tune a guitar to that?

I've looked on the www but there doesn't seem to be anything at all, which is a tad unusual.

???? Thanks In Advance If You Can Help!

[OneBardGooner]

ps: is there any chance of making this thread a sticky for a few days, so it gets seen.

Thank-You.

[brazilianGOONER]

i tried it once mate, i can't understand what you can't understand though

it's pretty simple:
tune your low E (6th string) higher one and a half tones (three 'steps') so that it becomes a "G";
leave the "A" and "D" (5th and 4th) strings tuned normally;
tune your "G" string (jokes aside) down two and a half tones so that it becomes a "D" - if the string becomes too loose, switch it for a 4th string or higher gauge 3rd string;
tune your "B" string one tone lower so that i becomes an "A";
finally, tune your high "E" CAREFULLY one and half tones higher, so that it becomes another "G", just like the 6th string. if your string breakes before reaching a G, try a different gauge string.

after you tuned the low E as a G, it's very easy to tune the other ones, since the other two low strings will remain as standard, and you can tune the three higher strings using the three low ones (it's the same chords, G A and D). got it?

i remember it took me half an hour to tune the whole thing, then i played for 5 minutes and thought it sounded shit, then tuned back don't forget you'll need to learn new chords that can sound good in that tuning.

only alternative tuning i ever thought that sounded good enough to try for a while was GGDGBD, which is used by Pearl Jam in the song "daughter".

[RioGooner]

i do that once in a while to try to have a folkier sound, with the tuner is quite fast and clean.

[DB10GOONER]

i tried it once mate, i can't understand what you can't understand though

it's pretty simple:
tune your low E (6th string) higher one and a half tones (three 'steps') so that it becomes a "G";
leave the "A" and "D" (5th and 4th) strings tuned normally;
tune your "G" string (jokes aside) down two and a half tones so that it becomes a "D" - if the string becomes too loose, switch it for a 4th string or higher gauge 3rd string;
tune your "B" string one tone lower so that i becomes an "A";
finally, tune your high "E" CAREFULLY one and half tones higher, so that it becomes another "G", just like the 6th string. if your string breakes before reaching a G, try a different gauge string.

after you tuned the low E as a G, it's very easy to tune the other ones, since the other two low strings will remain as standard, and you can tune the three higher strings using the three low ones (it's the same chords, G A and D). got it?

i remember it took me half an hour to tune the whole thing, then i played for 5 minutes and thought it sounded shit, then tuned back don't forget you'll need to learn new chords that can sound good in that tuning.

only alternative tuning i ever thought that sounded good enough to try for a while was GGDGBD, which is used by Pearl Jam in the song "daughter".

Have to agree with El Dwarfo. It's a "folky" tuning that doesn't work well with most types of music. And you will indeed need to learn new chord voicings and positions.

I'm not a big fan of alternative tunings tbh. Tried Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E) and Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D = One full step down from Drop D) but every second metal guitarist is using them now so everyone sounds a bit "samey". I've gone back to Standard tuning.

I think Joni Mitchell also uses Open D (D-A-D-F♯-A-D) which is basically a Dmaj chord played unfretted.

BTW, in this day and age, buy yourself a tuner. Beats spending hours fine tuning (especially if you have a floating Floyd Rose whammy).

[OneBardGooner]

Cheers lads Much appreciated...

I have only used standard tuning till now....I play more by ear than reading music - can read (a bit) for piano but guitar is another universe....I listen to (and try to learn) all sorts...but acoustic guitar is my favourite over electric - except fast eddie & co...and I know it's waaaay too late to reach that standard !

Will let you know what happens......

As for Joni Mitchell I've bought a few of her music books and nearly every song has the guitar re-tuned - seemingly - specifically for each song...they are quite odd one's too!....I'm looking to purchase a Fishman Pick-up for my Split Saddle Avalon L32C 6 string (they're made in Ireland) excellent sound etc for the price...blows all the new/modern Martins out of the water...

[Top Londoner]

Ziggy played guitar, don't ya know.

[flash gunner]

Ive got an acoustic guitar and have taught myself to play a few songs but reading you blokes talking about different ways of tuning and all tech stuff makes me realise how little i actually know

[Top Londoner]

Ive got an acoustic guitar and have taught myself to play a few songs but reading you blokes talking about different ways of tuning and all tech stuff makes me realise how little i actually know

Really? That is interesting.
With fingers like yours I would have thought that a piano would be more appropiate.

[flash gunner]

Ive got an acoustic guitar and have taught myself to play a few songs but reading you blokes talking about different ways of tuning and all tech stuff makes me realise how little i actually know

Really? That is interesting.
With fingers like yours I would have thought that a piano would be more appropiate.

Sorry mate what you going on about?

[OneBardGooner]

Don't be put off flash - THE MOST I MPORTANT thing is that you "Enjoy" what you do...I will often sit and watch a DVD/filum or whatever and play/practise whilst I do so......

Couple of years ago I was really struggling, but now can play all kinds of popular songs/tunes - and there's loads of free stuff on the web...sometimes I just make things up...that's a really good (and enjoyable - there's that word again) way to improve one's playing/knowledge etc ,,,and of course the fingers take some time to become stretched, strong and flexible - speed of chord changes come with time....just 10 - 15 minutres each day of doing very simple and basic scales will really help and you WILL surprise yourself... Even now I often stumble on a chord - I may not (initially) know what it is...but it sounds and feels good...I then look it up...

Also if there are some songs you REALLY like and would love to be able to play - if they have complex chord patternbs chnages etc - There will often be a beginners/easier version on the web....

[OneBardGooner]

Ive got an acoustic guitar and have taught myself to play a few songs but reading you blokes talking about different ways of tuning and all tech stuff makes me realise how little i actually know

Really? That is interesting.
With fingers like yours I would have thought that a piano would be more appropiate.

Sorry mate what you going on about?

Your avatar flash!