Post by Mairena Red on Sept 17, 2005 10:19:34 GMT
Hi everybody,
I too prefer open tunings for slide playing as you get great overtones and can use drone notes more easily. It does mean that you have to learn new shapes for chords and runs but it's a small price to pay for a different sound. I tend to vary my tunings depending on the style of music and the type of guitar I am playing. My Dobro-style guitar is normally tuned to open G (good for those Muddy Water's style country blues) though I have recently discovered Dobro tuning (GBDGBD) for lap style bluegrass. My spare electric is tuned to open D which is great for Elmore James style workouts. I also find open E and open A a good quick fix on a guitar in standard tuning with lighter strings. Tuning down to D or G makes the strings too slack but tuning up to E or A tighten things up nicely without putting too much strain on the neck. I find open A particularly good for Lowell George type workouts.
As for video and DVD tutorials, I have found them very helpful as I live in a part of the world where flamenco rules the roost so slide guitar tutors are rarer than hen's teeth. Michael's video is a great introduction to slide playing but as Sonya says, it is currently unavailable, though you may be able to track a copy down on Amazon or e-bay. Any chance of a DVD version, Michael, as my VHS version is suffering from serious overplaying? You also promised further versions, though I imagine your touring and recording schedule has put those on the back burner for the moment. I have also recently acquired DVD tutorials on lap style Dobro by Jerry Douglas and Cindy Cashdollar and can recommend them both, though the Cindy Cashdollar one is a better bet for beginners.
All the best
Joe (aka Mairena Red)
I too prefer open tunings for slide playing as you get great overtones and can use drone notes more easily. It does mean that you have to learn new shapes for chords and runs but it's a small price to pay for a different sound. I tend to vary my tunings depending on the style of music and the type of guitar I am playing. My Dobro-style guitar is normally tuned to open G (good for those Muddy Water's style country blues) though I have recently discovered Dobro tuning (GBDGBD) for lap style bluegrass. My spare electric is tuned to open D which is great for Elmore James style workouts. I also find open E and open A a good quick fix on a guitar in standard tuning with lighter strings. Tuning down to D or G makes the strings too slack but tuning up to E or A tighten things up nicely without putting too much strain on the neck. I find open A particularly good for Lowell George type workouts.
As for video and DVD tutorials, I have found them very helpful as I live in a part of the world where flamenco rules the roost so slide guitar tutors are rarer than hen's teeth. Michael's video is a great introduction to slide playing but as Sonya says, it is currently unavailable, though you may be able to track a copy down on Amazon or e-bay. Any chance of a DVD version, Michael, as my VHS version is suffering from serious overplaying? You also promised further versions, though I imagine your touring and recording schedule has put those on the back burner for the moment. I have also recently acquired DVD tutorials on lap style Dobro by Jerry Douglas and Cindy Cashdollar and can recommend them both, though the Cindy Cashdollar one is a better bet for beginners.
All the best
Joe (aka Mairena Red)
