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billybop - Posted - 11/22/2023: 03:01:23
Do you like the sound of Drop D tuning and do you use it often?
It gives my acoustic guitar a more mellow sound.
davidppp - Posted - 11/22/2023: 07:12:52
Google: Joseph Spence guitar.
I recently went nuts over resonator guitar physics. (You can Google that, too.) Irrespective, attached is a sample in drop-D on a resonator guitar, as well as a 5-string banjo version.
TreyDBanjoKS - Posted - 11/22/2023: 07:27:30
Guitar alternate tunings can really open a world of possibilities. I like drop D, it is simple in that you only have to re-learn the relationship between the lowest 2 strings and it has a distinct sound. I commonly use it with a capo (2nd fret) to play in E. DADGAD is another excellent tuning but you have to learn all new chord and scale forms. Open G (DGDGBD) is great for banjo players :)
Another option to consider is half-step down (Eb). I recently started keeping my OM guitar in this tuning. It mellows out the sound, gives a broader musical range, and improves playability (lower tension) without sacrificing much tone. I started doing this to accompany my wife who sings in many keys, but I've really grown to appreciate the musical flexibility and versatility this tuning provides. With handy use of a capo there are a lot of possibilities.
-TD
Edited by - TreyDBanjoKS on 11/22/2023 07:29:09
Tim Jumper - Posted - 11/23/2023: 15:40:38
My late and greatly missed singing partner lived in Drop-D tuning and got some beautiful sounds from it. I don't use it much myself, but as does Trey I keep my guitars tuned a half tone low -- the lessened tension being a concession to my aging fingers.
Ousemic - Posted - 11/29/2023: 05:09:53
I like the sound, it comes out deeper. But it still remains challenging for me.
Lew H - Posted - 11/29/2023: 08:11:26
It's easy to get sweet melodies in drop D tuning. I use it for singing and accompanying myself on When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, Plastic Jesus, and Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.
tdtowns77 - Posted - 11/29/2023: 18:50:31
Drop d is a great tuning I agree. It is used on many songs including Steve Earl's copperhead road and Billy Austin; Beatles dear prudence; Conway Twitty 'play guitar play', and double drop d for led Zeppelin 'going to California', ' that's the way,' and variants thereof for black mountainside; Travis Tritt 'where corn don't grow,' and many many others. Rambling Jack Elliott covered 'if I were a carpenter' in it as well (great version). I love that sound!
krw2dbw - Posted - 11/29/2023: 20:00:17
quote:
Originally posted by davidppp
Google: Joseph Spence guitar.
I recently went nuts over resonator guitar physics. (You can Google that, too.) Irrespective, attached is a sample in drop-D on a resonator guitar, as well as a 5-string banjo version.
I played Open D and Open G for many years but my right thumb gave up and the last year it was usable I got a steel and played my resophonic in Open D on my lap. Then I built a Studocaster lap steel from a 2 x 4 and let the amp do the work. Hymns work out great in Open D.
