Ever heard of DADGAD tuning?
Whether you’ve never heard of it or have been wanting to give it a try, this lesson will help you not only get started but also playing in this tuning today!
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DADGAD sounds like Middle Age music. Cool.
Thanks for the insight into DADGAD. I have been exploring the alternate tuning. I am quite new to it. You asked for my favorite aspect. I will say that I actually like the ringing of the tones that are created with DADGAD.
Thanx for the “beginner” chords – I’ve been playing around with DADGAD for a while, but figuring out chords was kind of daunting. This gives me a good starting place.
This was an awesome introductory lesson!
Never really understood why anyone would need to drop tuning until now.
Good introductory lesson in DADGAD tuning. Are there any known songs that use this tuning?
Rory Gallagher out on the western plain or Chris Stapleton outlaw state of mind
Thank you, Tony. To do DADGAD, do I start by tuning my guitar strings to change them from standard tuning?
Yes, we use same strings on guitar in standard tuning, and just lower the pitch on those strings
If you assume that you will be starting in standard tuning, in the days before electronic tuners, DADGAD was a tuning you had a good chance of getting right by ear. Every note you have to lower has a string to tune to (if you are in standard tune). You tune the top and bottom E down to your D string and your B down to your A string. When they are tuned down about right, you can hear the note sounds good because all the other strings are complementary. Try it! (I learned to tune to DADGAD before nice tuners, but I never figured out what you could play on it until today.)
Thank you so much for your show on Tuesdays. Lots of very good information for an old man of 77. I am the old man.
This was really fun. I enjoyed this because it was something new and I’ve already learned so much. How cool is that.
The only thing I would recommend is when you are giving beginner lessons use a guitar that has the fret dots on the fret board. I enjoy your lessons but it would be easier to see where you are with the markers.
First time I ever heard of this Tony. I found it interesting and will be testing it out.
Thanks for the tip. You are doing a great job.
Owen, I am taking 101 now and have always been standard. When starting with banjo and fiddle, I stayed clear of nonstandard tunings because they seem confusing. If I learn all the notes and chords with standard tuning, doesn’t this mess up my life, ie. don’t I have to unlearn something else that is already working for me. If I try to make both coexist in my little 68 year old mind, won’t I short-circuit?
wow dude that;s pretty cool at some point I’m going to have to sign up, meantime please keep these little tidbits coming thanks
A well explained intro to DADGAD. Now you’ve shown me some basics I’m going to try experimenting so that’s fab. 🙂
Ah, the lights just went off. I learned 4+20 by CSN and Norwegian Wood by the Beetles, both in open tuning when I was young and didn’t realize that all I was doing was playing a scale on the first two and sixth strings. Thanks!
Good one Tony. THANX
Great lesson; you present it in such an easy way to understand. I like the learning of the one finger chords (D, G, A7) as well as the scale up and down the fret board – learned a lot, thank you!!
Very cool lesson — could lead to lots of noodling! Thx for sharing!
Great intro and explanation of DADGAD! Thanks for opening that door for me.
The major and minor scale are cool and the ability to double up on any other D string is fun to fool with. That said the best part of the lesson by far was boggling that BEAUTIFUL BOURGEOIS! My dream. Been watching the Eddie’s website dreaming! Enjoy Tony!
Thanks Tony. I am going to music camp taking “Irish guitar” class. This gives me some insight into a tuning used in that genre. It is fun to play around with and adds another dimension to my guitar geekyness.
Thanks Tony!
I use open G and open D tunings frequently. But never tried DADGAD. Will give it a try
DADGAD tuning is very interesting for sure. I had heard of it before, but never tried it. I’m not sure how I would be able to use it, but I am sure that will come. The single string scales on the high D and middle D strings are indeed ‘spooky.’ I look forward to learning more about DADGAD tuning. Good stuff Tony! Thanks!
Very interesting
A cutaway? Who are you and what have you done with Tony Polecastro!?
Finally had a light bulb moment, now it makes sense! Great lesson Tony.
Excellent intro that encouraged me to continue and experiment. Thanks.