| Alternative tuning refers to any open string note arrangement other than standard tuning. Despite the usefulness and almost universal acceptance of standard tuning, many guitarists employ such alternative tuning arrangements in order to exploit the unique chord voicing and sonorities that result from them. Most alternative tunings necessarily change the chord shapes associated with standard tuning, which results in certain chords becoming much easier to play while others may become impossible to play. As a standard set of guitar strings is designed to be tuned to the standard notes, alternative tunings may require not just a different tuning, but re-stringing of the guitar with strings better suited to the open string note. In turn, further adjustments to cope with the different tensions placed on the guitar may be required, and in extreme tunings, fitting different components to cope with the different gauges used. |
Shaun Groves' Alternate Guitar Tuning Guitar fusion legend Frank Gambale demonstrates the alternate tuning on his guitar's second neck by playing a short solo. Performed at the Baked Potato in Hollywood on September 14th, 2006. |
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