Alternate Acoustic Guitar Tunings
for Creative Minds

Acoustic guitar tunings like open tunings give out a richer chordal texture, has a nice drone in the bass and is much easier to play. Most pop groups like the Beatles, the Eagles, and Led Zeppelin all used open tunings and basic alternate tunings in their songs.

Solo artists like Rick Price and James Taylor who recorded 'Country Roads' used the drop D tuning. Joni Mitchell was one artiste who never used the standard guitar tuning, she was famous for the guitar tuning called the drop D guitar tuning . Most guitar music is written for the standard guitar tuning and there are thousands of sheet music that are available on the net. We will first approach the standard guitar tuning to understand its differences with other tunings and then explore other alternate guitar tunings.

Acoustic Guitar Tunings

Standard Guitar Tuning E, A, D, G, B, E

The standard acoustic guitar tuning and standard electric guitar tunings are the same. These tuning compromises of E, A, D, G, B, E. This standard guitar tuning is easy to use and there are a lot of materials written for the guitar.

We will now tune your guitar to the standard guitar tuning. You may use a pitch pipe, a tuning fork or a piano. If you have a pitch pipe, play the E note and tune the 1st string of the guitar to match the E note. Next go to the 2nd string and fret the 5th fret, tune the 2nd string to match the 1st string E note. When both strings are in tune, go to the 3rd string and fret the 4th fret to match the 2nd string B note. Proceed to the 4th string, fret the 5th fret and match the 3rd string G note. Next go to the 5th string, fret the 5th fret and match the 4th string D note. Go to the 6th string, fret the 5th fret and match the 5th string A note. We now have the standard guitar tuning of E,A,D,G,B,E. When tuning your guitar be aware of the beats between the two strings.

If the strings are in unison there will be very little beats between the notes. You will notice that only the 3rd string is fretted on the 4th fret, all the other strings are fretted on the 5th fret. Practice this method of tuning till you are familiar with it.

Acoustic Guitar Tunings Using Harmonics:
To produce the bell like tones requires some practice. Place the left hand 3rd finger across all the strings at the 12th fret. Lightly touch the strings above the 12th fret. With a light touch, pick from the 6th string down to the 1st string. Practice till you get a bell-like tone. Then move down to the 7th and 5th frets and do the same thing.

When you are ready to start tuning with harmonics, try this out. Place your left hand 3rd finger lightly over the 5th fret of the 6th string. Strike the 6th string at the 5th fret and it will produce an E harmonic note that is two octaves above it. Than go to the 5th string, 7th fret and repeat the same motion and the same E harmonic note will be obtained. Check the notes against each other and match them as close as possible.

Go to the 5th string, 5th fret and repeat the procedure. The harmonic A note produced is the same note as the 4th string, 7th fret. The 4th string, 5th fret D harmonic note is the same as the 3rd string 7th fret. The 3rd string, 5th fret harmonic has no match on the 2nd string so matched it to the 2nd string 8th fret G note. Than play the 2nd string, 5th fret B harmonic and match it with the 1st sting, 7th fret B harmonic note.

Acoustic Guitar Tuning and The Electronic Tuners:
If you are able to get an electronic, tuner go for it. The way to tune with a tuner is relatively simple - just match the pitch and the tuner will show you how close or far you are from the intended pitch. The electronic tuner is very handy in situations where you need to tune fast or where there is a lot of noise and it is difficult to tune, so get the tuner and you are in business. My preference is to tune by ear because I feel more comfortable playing that way. I feel that it also has helped me to develop my ears. On many recording dates, I see many musicians using tuners and they play well in tune.

Summary On How To Tune Using An Acoustic Guitar Tuning:
The various examples given will help you to decide which would be your best approach. As you work through the techniques you will find the most suitable approach for yourself. When you decide on which approach to take, work on it and perfect it. Always be aware of the beats produced when two strings are being tuned in unison. Once the beat stops, you can be sure that the notes are in tune with one another.

Some Chords To Practice With The Standard Acoustic Guitar Tuning

Standard Guitar Tuning Chord Chart (pdf)

| FMaj7 | BbMaj7 | EbMaj7 | AbMaj7 | Gmi7 | Ami7 |

| Csus | FMaj7 |

| EbMaj7 | AbMaj7 | Ami7 | AbMaj7 | Gmi7 | Gsus |

| BbMaj7 | Csus |

| FMaj7 | Csus | Ami7 | BbMaj7 | Gmi7 | Csus |

| BbMa7 Csus | FMaj7 |

The first chord is an FMaj7. It is played on the 3rd fret. Then comes the BbMaj7, also played on the 3rd fret. Then the EbMaj7 is played on the 3rd fret. Then the AbMaj7 and the Gmi7 are played on the 3rd fret. The Ami7 on the 5th fret. Gsus on the 3rd fret and Csus on the 1st fret.

Practice the above changes and remember its positions. Note the stretches between the fingers and find positions and fingerings that you are comfortable with. As you develop finger strength the chords will be second nature to you.

We will now try out another acoustic guitar tuning - Drop D Open Tuning

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