Double Drop D Tuning
For More Creative Playing

The Double Drop D Tuning: low D, A, D, G, B, D,6th string-low D, 5th string-A, 4th string-D, 3rd string-G, 2nd string B, 1st string-D.

This double drop D tuning was very popular with artistes like Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Mark Henson. These type of guitar tunings offer a lot of open airy sounds and when coupled with creative rhythms are very impressive to the ears. These guitar tunings allow for much freedom when playing melodies chords and harmonics. The advantage of this open tuning is when a guitar player is approaching single line solos. The added bass and chords give a fuller dimension to the playing. Due to the change in tuning, creating melodies is a breeze and is an asset to the creative mind. Just playing only the double drop D open tuning will still brings out all the elements and richness of the tonality.

Why Use Double Drop D Tunings?
The purpose of alternate guitar tunings and open tunings is, to bring out different colors and effects of the respective open tuning type used. The popular harp like harmonics ringing sound, the ability to get to more bass notes and the constant drone of the bass note add to its richness. Slurs, hammer-ons, and pull-offs can be incorporated creatively in respect to ones taste and style. My own experiences in using slurs and hammer-ons are based on what I personally feel about the music.

Tune-up To Double Drop D Tuning
Begin to tune the 6th string a tone down to D, still on the 6th string move to the 12th fret and lightly play the harmonic note D to match the 5th string, 5th fret D note. Tune it to match the D note. Then play the 5th string, 5th fret D note to match the 4th string open D note. Fret the 4th string, 5th fret G note and match the 3rd string open G note. Play the 3rd string 4th fret B note and match the 2nd string B open note. Play the 2nd string, 3rd fret D note and match with the 1st string D note. Try to listen to the beats. Check the tunings between the notes and match them till there are no in-between beats. When you have tuned up well, we will play through these chord changes.

Guitar Scales For Double Drop D Tuning
This chart will show the DMaj scale from measures 1 to 6 and continues with the chord chart from measure 7 onwards

In the 1st. measure we have low D, E, F#, and G all on the 6th string. The 2nd measure there is A, B, and C#. 3rd measure there is D, E, F# on the 4th string and G and A on the 3rd string. In the 4th measure, there is B, C#, D on the second string. The 5th measure has E, F#, G, A, B, C# and D. Get comfortable with the D scale; its fingerings and positions for the double drop D tuning. Run your fingers up and down the finger-board and note the positions.

Guitar Chords To Play With The Double Drop D Tuning
We will begin at bar number 7

| DMaj DMaj7 D6 D | GMaj GMaj7 G6 G | D/F# DMaj7 |

| Emi7 F#mi7 | | A7sus A7 | DMaj9 |

| GMaj GMaj7 G6 G | Emi7 F#mi7 | GMaj GMaj7 G6 G |

| DMaj9 | | A7sus4 A7 | DMaj DMaj7 D6 D |

| A7sus4 A7 | GMaj GMaj7 G6 G | Emi7 F#mi7 | A7sus |

| A7 | | DMaj9 | DMaj DMaj7 D6 D |

Double D Open Tuning In D Minor
| Dmin7 | Gmin7 | A11 | BbMaj9 |

| C11 | CMaj | BbMaj9 | A11 |

| Gmi7 | BbMaj9 | A7sus4 A7 | Dmi7 |

| C11 | BbMaj9 | Asus4 | A7 |

| Dmi7 | BbMaj9 | Gmi7 | A7sus4 |

| Dmi7 | BbMaj7 | A7sus4 A7 | Dmi7 |

As you play through these major and minor open tunings, try to create some melodies that you feel bubbling inside you. Get creative and really strum the changes in any tempo you like. Pick out the notes and chords that get to you and slowly work out your own melody. A lot of melodies and solo lines can be worked out with this double D open tuning. Experiment with chords and positions, simple bass line and make your own accompaniment for yourself.

We will now proceed to the next guitar lesson and learn another interesting Open Tuning of D, A, D, G, A, D

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