PREPARING TO LEAD – alternate guitar tunings
Do you ever feel stuck in a rut with your guitar playing? Well, maybe this can help.
Over the last few years I’ve begun to experiment with alternate tunings on the guitar, and I’ve found it has not only revolutionized my sound in live performance and recording, but it has also been really inspiring in my own songwriting.
I’ve found it really enhances my playing in lots of ways. First, it makes the most of the resonance of the guitar. Guitars tend to ‘sing’ more when the strings are open; and most alternate tunings tend to involve more open strings (and less fingers!). Second, it gets that more folk-like, ‘celtic’ sound that is so atmospheric and beautiful. And third, you can accidentally come across some really interesting new chords, because of the new voicings you discover.
Yes, it involves learning a few new fingering shapes, but, believe me, it’s worth it!
So the exciting news is – I’ve just finished a series of videos showing the basics of alternate guitar tunings, including how to tune your guitar to them, the chord shapes you need to learn, and how I use them in three of my best-known songs. I’d encourage you to check them out and work through
At a time when so many of us around the world are in lockdown, this might be an opportune time to us to expand our playing, learn some new techniques, and really fall in love with our guitar again!
Check out the introductory videos here
And watch out for the videos on specific songs which will be posted in a couple of days.
