Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on June 23, 2011 at 6:36am

Hello,

Please consider checking out my instructional video CDs.

http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...

CD 4 is for 3 string tuned GDg. Basically, it is the same tuning you are using, but on the 4 string, you are adding the third (B) on the top. I think you will find this information very applicable.

CD 5 is for 4 string, but I use Dgbd tuning.

CD 6 is also for for 3 string, but using the same strings as CD 4, I just retune to Open D. This offers a system of movable chords that functions very similar to a 6 string guitar.

Basically the approach to CBG is to take the full 6 string open G tuning and divide it.

3 string D"GDg"bd

4 string DG"Dgbd"

I have found that this works out very well.

The two CBGs function different, but complement each other.

Please feel free to write if I can be of any further assistance.

Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee   

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by One String Willie on June 23, 2011 at 11:40am

Hi DJ.XSUSB-

To follow up on Keni Lee's comments, traditional open G tuning (Spanish) would be DGBd on the highest four strings, low to high.  This is also on standard tuning for 5 string banjo (without the fifth drone string).

 

One of the beauties of this tuning is that the root note is at the fifth fret position of the highest string, so you can slide up to it.  If you rock the slide to cover the second as well as the first strings at this position you imply going from a I chord (DGBg) to a IV chord (Eg).

 

On a six-string guitar another beauty is that the 4th and 6th strings are tuned an octave apart, and the 3rd and 5th string are also tuned an octave apart, so you can get a very full sound on the low end.

 

So it looks like you are going for the middle four strings of Spanish tuning, which is probably great for the full low end, and parallel descending chromatic lines like in Son House's Jinx Blues or Empire State Blues, but I havent spent much time thinking about this for lead playing.  The root note of the scale would be at the 8th fret position.  If you spend some time working out what you can do in this middle part of Spanish tuning, it should be very interesting! 

 

Muddy Waters, Fred McDowell and Son House are guys that come to mind that have many songs in Spanish tuning.

 

Best regards, Willie 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark on June 24, 2011 at 3:36am

Dunno why it is that whenever ayone asks about GDGB tuning there seems to be a load of posts telling them to go for DGBD. Both are perfectly good tunings. GDGB has that I-V-I thing on the lowest three strings that's good for rocking blues and I'd say stick with it if you like it.
Keith Richards often favours a telecaster with five strings tuned GDGBD and it's not too difficult to modify a lot of Stones stuff for 4 string open G tunings.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jay Patton on June 24, 2011 at 8:02am

I tune all of my CBGs (so far) to EBEg#, which is the same tuning, but 1.5 steps lower. It seems the most logical as a transition (from 6 strings) to me, as it's just the top 4 of open E (or the middle 4 of open G, obviously).

 

So, in regards to finding songs, I just ignore the original key lol. It's all in E. ; )

• ▶ Reply