Open G v Open D

[railthin]

I’m not sure if this is a sensible question and I’m a bit nervous about asking it for looking a bit daft…..but here goes………


Since getting into slide I’ve been playing exclusively in Open G and have now got a bit of a handle on it and so I’ve started having a look at open D …….I’ve started of playing the same things as I do in open G but one string up and this has caused me to think (dangerous I know!! ;D)

My question is really about the two tunings…….why is one tuning chosen rather than the other? From what I can make out, there is:
1. Pitch
2. Open G gives you bass notes below the root (ie on the 6th string).
3. Open D gives you higher (compared to the bass root) treble notes (on the first string)
4. Open D gives you an alternating root bass option on the 6th and 4th string

Is it this simple ?
Are there other differences/reasons to choose one over the other ?
Do they have different characters or is it these options that give a different sound

I’m sorry if this is daft but I guess it’s all part of understanding…… and being able to tap into the depth of knowledge on show on this forum is an opportunity I have to take .

Thanks in advance

John

[Michael Messer]

Hello John,

It is not a daft question at all.

I think I would answer your question by saying that the two types of tunings each have their own character and work particuarly well in certain styles. There are certain licks and harmonies that can be played in both tunings, but really only sound 'right' in one of the tunings.

I have always switched regularly between the two and think of both G & D type tunings different voices.

Do not think of them as keys as each tuning can be tuned to different chords, think of them as different voices.

Shine On
Michael.

[toom]

Samples of open G/D playing -

www.gibson.com/robotguitar/story2.html