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Easist & most versatile 3 string tuning.

Tuning big string to small string: DGB. The same as the DGB on a six string

G chord: open- nothing fretted.

C chord: index on the small string above the first fret and middle on the big string above the second fret.

D7 chord: index on small string above the first fret and middle on middle string above the 2nd fret.

D chord: middle on middle string above the 2nd fret and ring on the small string above the 3rd fret. (I mostly use the D7)

Em chord: any finger on the big string above the 2nd fret.

Am chord. Index on small string above the first fret.. And middle and ring on the other two strings above the second fret.

E chord: index on middle above the first fret. Middle on big string above the 2nd fret.

B7 chord: middle on the big string above the first fret and ring on the middle string on the middle string above the 2nd fret.

A chord: bar or fret all 3 strings above the 2nd fret

F chord: Index on the small string above the first fret, middle on the middle string above the 2nd fret and ring on the big string above the 3rd fret.

G chord Boogie Note: middle finger on the big string above the 2nd fret- do a four count strum and use the boogie note on the 3 count.

C chord boogie note. Make your C chord. Use a 4 count strum and on the 3 count, fret the middle string above the 2nd fret with your ring finger.

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Comment by Uncle John on May 9, 2015 at 1:34pm: TN, DGB is an open G and you can play slide/fretless, but to my ear, there are better sounding open G chords for slide - such as GDG. So, for me, DGB is finger chords. It can be done fretless, but the chords and notes a are crisper with frets. Other than that, I do not know any secrets.

Monterey, dulcimer tuning and this tuning are 2 separate beasts.

Comment by Monterey on May 9, 2015 at 1:13pm: I kinda wondered about using Dad or Daa dulcimer tuning? There's lots of tab especially for Dad, except it would be all upside down, as the bass string is farthest away from you on a Dulcimer

Comment by TN Twang on May 9, 2015 at 12:16pm: Hmm, I'm talking to the same people on 2 different threads. Makes my head hurt... Sorry for the redundancy.

My big question is this: Do all of the people who use DGb tuning play with frets?

If yes, then okay I get it. I can play 6-string chords with 3 of the strings missing and still get good voicing and voice leading.

However, when I'm playing slide and trying to play lead or put some melodic fills at the end of phrases, having that high B string doesn't seem to be helpful. I'm sliding way up the neck anyhow and I might as well play my higher notes on the G string.

Of course it's nice to be able to strum a major chord, but I'd rather hear the 3rd on the bottom string and the root on top.

Tell me what's the secret.

Comment by Uncle John on May 9, 2015 at 9:56am: I hope you start with the 3 string. Then find songs with G C and D, and look at this vid and you are just about off and running. Can add more chords later. A lot of the goodness comes from economy of motion - no need to move that hand or fingers very far.

Comment by Uncle John on May 9, 2015 at 2:38am: Wayfinder, the DGBE 4 strings are tenor guitars, which I like and play. Not much harder, but a little harder to play. The 3 DGB, is SO easy.

Comment by Uncle John on May 9, 2015 at 1:36am: Thanks, Stephen. Working on it.

Comment by Uncle John on March 26, 2015 at 4:40am: I use it a lot, Joe. I use GDg too.

Comment by Joe O'Connor on March 26, 2015 at 4:33am: I'll have to give this tuning a whirl some time. Thanks

Comment by Uncle John on March 6, 2015 at 3:46am: Limiting ones self to one tuning is like limiting ones self to eating only pizza. Pizza is good, but I want some other foods too.

Comment by Uncle John on March 6, 2015 at 3:12am: I should say that I much love the IVIs too. I use a lot of GDg and close tunings. I like twos, fours and didleys.

I like fives and sixes too and have both, but to me, that is getting into another category.