Basic Guitar Alternative Tunings Overview

Standard Tuning

The most common guitar tuning is the Standard (E A D G B e-tuning). The B is sometimes called H (E A D G H e), but it’s basically the same tuning. As you can see, all strings but the B-string keeps the same semitone distance between them. The B-string brakes this pattern to make some commonly used chords easier to play. The tuning is basically the easiest tuning standard to begin with and should cover the use for most amateur guitarists.

Standard tuning frequencies

e329.6 Hz

B 246.9 Hz

G 196.0 Hz

D 146.8 Hz

A 110.0 Hz

E 82.4 Hz

Dropped Tunings

The dropped tuning is a common name for the standard tuning, dropped down one or more semitone. Playing dropped tuning will therefore make it possible to chords the regular way. For example, standard tuning dropped down one semitone will make your E-chord a Eb (or D#). You can drop tune your string as far as you like, but the loose strings will make the strings ”fret buzz”. You should use thicker strings for low tunings.

Example

• D# G# C# F# A# d# (also known as Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)
  All strings one semitone down
• D G C F A D
  All strings one tone down

Higher Tunings

Like the dropped tuning the higher tuning has the same semitone distance between the strings as the standard tuning. If you want to go higher then a couple of semitones you should get thinner strings to loosen the tension. If you have a capo, you can quickly raise the tuning by put on a capo.

Example

• F A♯ D♯ G♯ C F
  All strings one semitone up (or Capo on first)

Drop D Tunings

The Drop D tuning is similar to the standard tuning. You set up the strings the same way as the standard tuning, but tune the E-string goes up or down. It’s easy to adept to this tuning, since the only difference in chords is the thickest string. Chords, preferably power chords, will get a richer sound with this tuning. Especially on a electric guitar with distortion.

Example

• Drop D: D A D G B E
  Standard tuning, but with the thicker E-string one tone down

• Drop C: C-G-C-F-A-D
  Drop D tuning as above, but all strings one tone down

Open tunings

The open tuning is when the strings are tuned so that it will play a major (or minor) chord when the strings are strummed completely open. To play the other chords you simply bar them. Certain open tunings may frequently break some of your strings and may mess up your intonation on some electric guitars. So, all though its simplicity, it may not be that much use for the beginner. Advanced user can use it as a base for a customised tuning. You should read more about the open tunings before using them.

Example

• Open C: C G C G C E
  Strumming without fretting will give you the C-chord (major)

• Open D: D A D F# A D
  Strumming without fretting will give you the D-chord (major)

Check out the rest of my guitar article series:

Basic Guitar Chords: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Guitar-Chords-Chart.689453
Bar guitar chords: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Guitar-Barre-Chords-Chart.689457
Power Chords: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Guitar-Power-Chords-Chart.692779

Basic Tablatures: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Guitar-Tablature-Techniques-for-Beginners.708261
Chromatic Scale: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Chromatic-Scale-for-Beginners.706757

Guitar Tuning: http://www.musicouch.com/Instruments/String/Guitar/Basic-Guitar-Tuning-for-Beginners.705227