![]() In this way, the guitar becomes completely symmetrical, removing the need for multiple shapes for a given chord shape between different string sets. I use a tuning called ‘4ths tuning.’ As the name implies, this tuning removes that major 3 rd kink from standard tuning and replaces it with another perfect 4 th interval, giving us 4ths all the way down. Of course, 99.9% of guitars players who ever picked up the instrument have battled this challenge with great results, so I am not suggesting that you all immediately switch your tuning – I just want to tell you why I did. This makes learning the fretboard a pretty challenging task, since you have to learn each chord, scale, arpeggio and interval in a number of different permutations, as opposed to just one. It follows that the same will be true for any scales, arpeggios or interval shapes – they will change whenever the shape falls between the D and B, G and B or G and E strings within an octave. This is to compensate for that rogue major 3 rd interval between the G and B strings. In other words, if you play a chord shape on the middle four strings, it requires a different shape on the upper four strings and a different one again on the lowest four strings. One of the problems of standard tuning is that it is non-symmetrical. All our open string ‘cowboy’ chords rely on this major 3 rd interval between the G and B strings, and so much of the standard guitar repertoire in every genre is based around the combination of the two open E strings at the top and bottom of the guitar. This kink in the standard tuning is very important, especially for chordal playing since, without it we can’t play barre chords, making the transpositional nature of the guitar far less effective. This major third interval is the reason why we tune the B string to the 4 th fret of the G string, as opposed to the 5 th fret relationship between all the other string pairs. Standard tuning uses the notes E, A, D, G B and E from low to high, giving us the interval of a perfect 4 th between all of the strings, except the G and B strings where we get a major 3 rd interval. Some of you may be wondering what this weird tuning is, why I use it and what the benefits and disadvantages of using an alternate tuning for all of your guitar playing are.īefore we start, let’s have a quick discussion of standard tuning and the reasons why the vast majority of guitar players utilise the same tuning. ![]() You probably notice that, during the opening section to almost all my lessons, I mention that I am tuned differently, and not worry about it, since all of the TABS will be in standard tuning and I’ll show you any shapes required during the lesson anyway. I’m back after my nasty elbow break – it’s healed well and I am almost back up to full playing strength again, so let’s get back on with some learning.įor this issue, I wanted to talk about something that may have been confusing/interesting some of you for quite some time now. Hi guys, and welcome back to my column for this issue.
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