*'''Drop E/F{{music|flat}}''' - E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E<br/>A combination of standard 7-string tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step. Allows to play in the range of a standard electric bass, as well as one-finger [[power chords]]. Used by [[Animals as Leaders]]<ref>Guitar Player: [http://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/tosin-abasi-and-javier-reyes/14033 Interview with Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes]</ref> and [[Whitechapel (band)|Whitechapel]] (on the songs "Devolver" and "Breeding Violence" from ''[[A New Era of Corruption]]''). Also used by Deftones on [[Koi No Yokan]] and [[Gore (album)|Gore]], [[Allegaeon]], and Emmure on the song "N.I.A. (News in Arizona)". A variation of this tuning is used by [[Hacktivist (band)|Hacktivist]] with 3rd and 4th strings tuned a whole step up to A and E respectively.
*'''Drop E/F{{music|flat}}''' - E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E<br/>A combination of standard 7-string tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step. Allows to play in the range of a standard electric bass, as well as one-finger [[power chords]]. Used by [[Animals as Leaders]]<ref>Guitar Player: [http://www.guitarplayer.com/miscellaneous/1139/tosin-abasi-and-javier-reyes/14033 Interview with Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes]</ref> and [[Whitechapel (band)|Whitechapel]] (on the songs "Devolver" and "Breeding Violence" from ''[[A New Era of Corruption]]''). Also used by Deftones on [[Koi No Yokan]] and [[Gore (album)|Gore]], [[Allegaeon]], and Emmure on the song "N.I.A. (News in Arizona)". An open variation of this tuning is used by [[Hacktivist (band)|Hacktivist]] with 3rd and 4th strings tuned a whole step up to A and E respectively.
*'''Drop E, A ''' - E-A-E-A-D-G-B-E<br/>A combination of 7-string drop A tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step, allowing both power chords rooted on A, and easy fingering with the E a fourth below. This is the tuning of the lowest two strings of a bass, along with all 6 strings of a standard-tuned guitar. It is used by [[Rings of Saturn (band)|Rings Of Saturn]] on the album [[Lugal Ki En]].
*'''Drop E, A ''' - E-A-E-A-D-G-B-E<br/>A combination of 7-string drop A tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step, allowing both power chords rooted on A, and easy fingering with the E a fourth below. This is the tuning of the lowest two strings of a bass, along with all 6 strings of a standard-tuned guitar. It is used by [[Rings of Saturn (band)|Rings Of Saturn]] on the album [[Lugal Ki En]].
**'''Drop E, A (Variation)''' - E-A-E-A-D-F{{music|sharp}}-B-E<br/>A variation on Drop E, A with the G flattened one half step to F{{music|sharp}}; this tuning is identical to 6-string Drop A, with two E strings added: one above, and one below. Like Drop E, A; this tuning allows easy fingering on the E since it is a standard fourth interval below the A. It also provides three high strings a fourth apart instead of the usual two. The tuning is used by [[Infant Annihilator]] on their album ''[[The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch]]''. A 7-string variation of the tuning without the high E (E-A-E-A-D-F{{music|sharp}}-B) was used on their previous album ''The Palpable Leprosy of Pollution'' and is used by [[Enterprise Earth]]/Delusions of Grandeur guitarist Gabe Mangold.
**'''Drop E, A (Variation)''' - E-A-E-A-D-F{{music|sharp}}-B-E<br/>A variation on Drop E, A with the G flattened one half step to F{{music|sharp}}; this tuning is identical to 6-string Drop A, with two E strings added: one above, and one below. Like Drop E, A; this tuning allows easy fingering on the E since it is a standard fourth interval below the A. It also provides three high strings a fourth apart instead of the usual two. The tuning is used by [[Infant Annihilator]] on their album ''[[The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch]]''. A 7-string variation of the tuning without the high E (E-A-E-A-D-F{{music|sharp}}-B) was used on their previous album ''The Palpable Leprosy of Pollution'' and is used by [[Enterprise Earth]]/Delusions of Grandeur guitarist Gabe Mangold.
A FuniChar D-616 guitar with a Drop D tuning. It has an unusual additional fretboard that extends onto the headstock. Most guitarists obtain a Drop D tuning by detuning the low E string a tone down.
This list of guitar tunings supplements the article guitar tunings. In particular, this list contains more examples of open and regular tunings, which are discussed in the article on guitar tunings. In addition, this list also notes dropped tunings.
This open C tuning is used by William Ackerman for his "Townsend Shuffle" and by John Fahey for his tribute to Mississippi John Hurt. This tuning is also commonly used by John Butler on his 12 string guitar.[1] This tuning is used on most work by Devin Townsend in his solo work as well as his work with Strapping Young Lad. When playing on a 7 string guitar, he would have a low G as the lowest string to complete the fifth.
This open-C tuning gives the initial harmonic series when a C-string is struck.[4]
The C-C-G-C-E-G tuning uses the harmonic sequence (overtones) of the note C. When an open-note C-string is struck, its harmonic sequence begins with the notes (C,C,G,C,E,G,B♭,C).[3][4]
This overtone-series tuning was modified by Mick Ralphs, who used a high C rather than the high G for "Can't Get Enough" on Bad Company. Ralphs said, "It needs the open C to have that ring," and "it never really sounds right in standard tuning".[5]
The following open-tunings use a minor third, and give a minor chord with open strings. To avoid the relatively cumbersome designation "open D minor", "open C minor", such tunings are sometimes called "cross-note tunings". The term also expresses the fact that, compared to Major chord open tunings, by fretting the lowered string at the first fret, it is possible to produce a major chord very easily.[14]
Cross-note D: D-A-D-F-A-D (used by John Fahey on the song "Red Pony")
Alternative: D-A-D-A-D-F (used by William Ackerman on "Barbara's Song")
Cross-note E: E-B-E-G-B-E (used by ZZ Top on the song "Just Got Paid Today" and by Joey Eppard on the 3 song "Bramfatura")
Cross-note F: F-A♭-C-F-C-F (extremely rare)
Alternative: F-C-F-A♭-C-F (used by Albert Collins;[18] requires light gauges)
Cross-note G: D-G-D-G-B♭-D
Sitar A tuning (listen)
Alternative Cross A: E-A-E-A-E-A. «Sitar A» - an alternative low guitar system. Recalls the sound of Indian sitar.
Modal
D modal tuning.
In modal tunings, the strings are tuned to form a chord which is not definitively minor or major. These tunings may facilitate very easy chords and unique sounds when the open strings are used as drones. Often these tunings form a suspended chord on the open strings. A well known user of modal tunings is Sonic Youth.
Esus2: E-B-E-F♯-B-E (used by My Bloody Valentine in "Only Shallow" and by John Mayer in "Something's Missing," "Wherever You Go," "Heart So Heavy," and "In Your Atmosphere").
Esus4: E-B-E-A-B-E
E7sus4: E-A-D-E-B-E (used by Ed Sheeran in "Tenerife Sea.")
Gsus2: D-G-D-G-A-D
Gsus4: D-G-D-G-C-D (first five strings equivalent to Sawmill tuning for the banjo)
Gsus4/4 / Orkney Tuning: C-G-D-G-C-D
EEEEBE a.k.a. "Bruce Palmer Modal Tuning," as named and used by Stephen Stills in "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes where Stills uses this tuning while the other guitar is in standard tuning.[22])
A compact tuning that fits within one octave and covers the chromatic scale between open strings and the first fret.
Minor thirds
C-D♯-F♯-A-C-D♯
In the minor-thirds tuning, every interval between successive strings is a minor third. In the minor-thirds tuning beginning with C, the open strings contain the notes (C, D♯, F♯) of the diminished C chord.[25]
Major-thirds tuning is a regular tuning in which the musical intervals between successive strings are each major thirds.[26][27][28] Unlike all-fourths and all-fifths tuning, major-thirds tuning repeats its octave after three strings, which again simplifies the learning of chords and improvisation.[29]
Neighboring the standard tuning is the major-thirds tuning that has the open strings
This tuning is like that of the lowest four strings in standard tuning.[31][32] Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical".[33]
All-fifths tuning is a tuning in intervals of perfect fifths like that of a mandolin, cello or violin; other names include "perfect fifths" and "fifths".[35] It has a wide range, thus it requires an appropriate range of string gauges. A high b' string is particularly thin and taut, which can be avoided by shifting the scale down by several steps or by a fifth.
Ostrich tuning is a tuning where all strings are tuned to the same note over two or three octaves,[36] creating an intense, choruseddrone and interesting fingering potential.
Used by Soundgarden (E-E-e-e-e'-e') on the song "Mind Riot", and by Lou Reed in the Velvet Underground.
Drop tunings lower the sixth string, dropping the lowest E string of the standard tuning. Some drop tunings also lower the fifth string (A note in standard tuning). A drop one tuning lowers the pitch by one full step.
Some lower tunings may call for a baritone guitar to more easily maintain high string tension and a rich tone. Others can be achieved using a capo and/or a partial capo.
Drop A in standard variation - A-a-D-G-B-E: The 6th string is dropped to A while the other strings retain their standard tuning. Used by Helmet on "Biscuits for Smut", Foo Fighters on "Stacked Actors", Opeth on the song "Sorceress", and the Melvins on "Boris". A 7-string version of this tuning is used by Muse on their song "Citizen Erased, tuned A-a-D-d-G-B-E
Drop A in D standard variation - A-G-C-F-a-D: Used by Mastodon on most of their first album (Remission) and on some songs on other albums. Also utilized by Periphery on the song "Zyglrox" as well as "Alpha" and "The Bad Thing." Also used on occasion by Black Label Society, who previously tuned it a half-step up, which Alter Bridge also utilizes on some of their songs such as "Broken Wings", "Come to Life", "I Know it Hurts", "Still Remains", "Breath Again", and "All Hope is Gone." Creed, Architects, and Sevendust all use this tuning tuned a half-step down on their songs "Bread of Shame", "Early Grave", and "Home" and "Chop" respectively, with the latter also tuning down a full step for the songs "Death Dance" and "Not Today". Danish industrial metal band Raunchy used this tuning tuned one and a half-step down (F#-E-A-D-f#-B) on the song "Dim the Lights and Run" from the album A Discord Electric. Wage War also utilize this tuning one whole step down for songs like "The River" and "Spineless" off their album Blueprints.
Drop G♯/Drop A♭ - G♯-D♯-g♯-C♯-F-A♯ / A♭-E♭-a♭-D♭-F-B♭ Three full steps down from Drop D. Utilized by Dead by April (on some songs), Metallica in the song "Invisible Kid" from St. Anger, Asking Alexandria (G#) on their self-titled album, Damien Deadson, Love and Death, Architects and The Acacia Strain. Staind also uses this tuning (but with the 2nd string tuned up 1/2 step to emulate a 7-string guitar), as well as several other modified variations of this, such as one in which the 5th string is also dropped from D# to C#.
Drop G - G-D-g-C-E-A Three and one half steps down from Drop D. Used by Darkest Hour on the song "Wasteland", Attack Attack!, Baroness (on their first two EPs), The Acacia Strain (on some songs), Dead by April (on some songs) and In Flames (on the song "Transparent" from Reroute to Remain). Chelsea Grin also used this tuning on their album Ashes to Ashes. Also Pantera and Whitechapel recorded Sandblasted Skin in G-g-C-F-A-D, Drop G variation with D standard. Soulfly used this tuning on "Eye for an Eye" on their self-titled album, although live performances of this song were in Drop D, and now in Drop B.
Drop F♯/Drop G♭ - F♯-C♯-f♯-B-D♯-G♯ / G♭-D♭-g♭-B-E♭-A♭ Four full steps down from Drop D, or two full steps up from Drop D1. Used by Disfiguring the Goddess. In the recording of Limp Bizkit's song "Nookie", Wes Borland used a custom 4 string baritone guitar tuned F#-F#-B-E. Also Slipknot recorded their song "Scissors" from their debut album in F#-F#-B-E-G#-C#.
Drop F - F-C-f-A♯-D-G / F-C-f-B♭-D-G Four and one half steps down from Drop D, or one and a half steps up from Drop D1. Used by Attack Attack! on "The Wretched" off "This Means War" and Northlane.
Drop E - E-B-e-A-C♯-F♯ / E-B-e-A-D♭-G♭/ Five full steps down from Drop D, or one full step up from Drop D1. Another Variation can be mixed with a Drop A as follows: E-A-e-a-D-G-B-e modeled on an 8 string or E-A-e-a-D-F#-B/E-A-e-a-D-Gb-Cb on a 7 string.
Drop D♯/Drop E♭ - D♯-A♯-d♯-G♯-C-F / E♭-B♭-e♭-A♭-C-F Five and one half steps down from Drop D, or one half step up from Drop D1. This can also be a Drop D# standard octave variant tuning modeled on an 8 string D#-G#-d#-g#-C#-F#-A#-d#
Drop D1 - D-A-d-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop D. 8 string example; D-A-d-a-d-G-B-E. Black Tongue uses this tuning.
Drop C♯1/Drop D♭1 Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop C♯/Drop D♭. Used on some After The Burial songs.
Drop C1 Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop C. Used by Within the Ruins on the album Phenomena with the variation C-F-c-f-A#-D-G.
Drop C♯/Drop D♭ in standard variation - C♯-A-D-G-B-E Standard tuning but with the 6th string lowered one and a half steps. Used by Sevendust tuned one and one half-step down on some songs from "Home" through "Alpha", though their version of the tuning also features the A string dropped another half-step. Therefore, A#-F-B-E-G#-C#.
Drop C in standard variation - C-A-D-G-B-E Standard tuning but with the 6th string lowered two whole steps. Used by Alter Bridge on the song "My Champion" (tuned down a half-step) as well as Sevendust on the song "Mountain" (tuned down one and a half steps). Also used by John Mayer on the song “Neon”, and by Chino Moreno of Deftones on some songs such as "Swerve City" and "Hearts/Wires", tuned down a full step.
Drop B-E - B-E-D-G-b-e Standard tuning with the 6th and 5th string lowered two and a half steps down. Used by Tool in the song "Parabola".
Shifted
These tunings are derived by systematic increases or decreases to standard tuning.
Lowered (Standard)
D tuning.
Derived from standard EADGBE, all the strings are tuned lower by the same interval, thus providing the same chord positions transposed to a lower key. Lower tunings are popular among rock and heavy metal bands. The reason for tuning down below standard pitch is usually either to accommodate a singer's vocal range or to get a deeper/heavier sound.[38]
G♯/A♭ tuning - G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ / A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ Four full steps down from standard tuning. Utilized by Cannibal Corpse on some songs. Used by death/doom metal band Encoffination.
G tuning - G-C-F-A♯-D-G / G-C-F-B♭-D-G Four and a half steps down from standard tuning. Used by the Doom Metal band Warhorse and the Brutal Death Metal band Mortician.
F♯/G♭ tuning - F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ Five full steps from standard tuning. Used by the Death Metal band Disfiguring The Goddess and by Periphery on their 8 string guitar songs (tuned F♯-B-E-A-D-G-B-E)
F tuning - F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-F / F-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-F Five and one half steps down from standard tuning. Used by the deathgrind band Maruta, the instrumental doom metal band Bongripper, and the progressive metal band "Meshuggah" (however the band uses eight-stringed guitars).
Octave Tuning - E-A-D-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from standard tuning. The Low E has the same fundamental frequency as a bass guitar, essentially the same standard tuning as a bass guitar but with a high B and E added to mimic a regular guitar. This tuning is used on the Fender Bass VI and similar instruments. Notably used by John Lennon with The Beatles, Robert Smith of The Cure and Jack Bruce of Cream. In his early days with Ronnie Hawkins, future Band bassist Rick Danko was also seen with a Fender Bass VI. This is the tuning Earth used on their seminal drone doom album, Earth 2. Also used in some Doom Metal and Sludge Metal bands such as Thou.
From standard EADGBE, all the strings are tuned up by the same interval. String tension will be higher. Typically requires thinner gauge strings, particularly the first string which could be as thin as six thousandths of an inch (about the thickness of a single human hair). A capo is typically preferred over these tunings, as they do not increase neck strain, etc. The advantage of these tunings is that they allow an extended upper note range versus a capo used with standard tuning which limits the number of notes that can be played; in some cases, instruo B♭ or E♭ (such as saxophones, which were frequently encountered in early rock and roll music) are more easily played when the accompanying guitar plays chords in the higher tuning. If standard gauge strings are used, the result is often a "brighter" or "tighter" sound; this was a common practice for some bluegrass bands in the 1950s, notably Flatt & Scruggs.
F♯/G♭ tuning - F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ One full step up from standard. Primary tuning for the band The Chameleons. Johnny Marr also used this tuning extensively with The Smiths; bassist Andy Rourke remained in standard, however, even when Marr was playing in F#. British singer-songwriter Dave Mason also plays in F#.
G tuning also known as Terz tuning (sometimes spelled "Tierce", "Third", or "Tertz", all of which are acceptable) - G-C-F-A♯-D-G / G-C-F-B♭-D-G One and one half steps up from standard.
G♯/A♭ tuning - G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ / A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ Two full steps up from standard.
A tuning - A-D-G-C-E-A Two and one half steps up from standard. This is the standard tuning for the Lapstick travel guitar.
A♯/B♭ - A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-A♯ / B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭ Three full steps up from standard.
Double-dropped
Double drop D tuning.Double drop D tuning (listen)
Similar to the dropped tunings, except that both the 1st and 6th strings are dropped one full step.
Double Drop D - D-A-D-G-B-D Standard tuning but with the 1st and 6th strings dropped one full step. Favored by Neil Young. Has also been used by Lamb of God on some of their earlier songs.
Double Drop C♯/Drop D♭ - C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-C♯ / D♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B♭-D♭/ Same as [Double] Drop D, but every string is dropped one half step. Used by the acoustic rock band Days of the New. Also used by Our Lady Peace on the song "Starseed", as well as Los Angeles based Alternative band Failure, for the track "Sergeant Politeness".
Double Drop C - C-G-C-F-A-C One full step down from Drop D. Used by Sevendust on the song "Seasons".
Double Drop B - B-F♯-B-E-G♯-B / B-G♭-B-E-A♭-B/ One and one half steps down from Drop D. Used by Aaron Turner of Isis.
Double Drop A♯/Drop B♭ - A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G-A♯ / B♭-F-B♭-E♭-G-B♭ Two full steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop A - A-E-A-D-F♯-A / A-E-A-D-G♭-A Two and one half steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop G♯/Drop A♭ - G♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-G♯ / A♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-A♭ Three full steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop G - G-D-G-C-E-G Three and one half steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop F♯/Drop G♭ - F♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-F♯ / G♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-G♭ Four full steps down from Drop D, or two full steps up from Drop D1.
Double Drop F - F-C-F-A♯-D-F / F-C-F-B♭-D-F Four and one half steps down from Drop D, or one and a half steps up from Drop D1.
Double Drop E - E-B-E-A-C♯-E / E-B-E-A-D♭-E Five full steps down from Drop D, or one full step up from Drop D1.
Double Drop D♯/Double Drop E♭ - D♯-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-D♯ / E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-E♭ Five and one half steps down from Drop D, or one half step up from Drop D1.
Double Drop D1 Tuning - D-A-D-G-B-D Six full steps (one octave) down from Double Drop D.
DADGAD was developed by Davey Graham in the early 1960s when he was travelling in Morocco, to more easily play along with Oud music Among the first to use this tuning were the folk-blues guitarists of the '60s like Bert Jansch, John Rebourn, Martin Carthy, and John Martyn. It was many years later in the 1970s that it became established for accompanists of traditional music, predominantly Scottish and Irish. Due to this popularity it is sometimes referred to as "Celtic" tuning, although this is misleading given its origin and its primary early use in a quite different field of music. Often vocalized as "Dad-Gad", DADGAD it is now common in Celtic music. In rock music, has been used in Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir".[8]Pierre Bensusan is another noted exponent of this tuning. The post-metal group Russian Circles also employ this tuning, and also plays it in the form of all the notes becoming a half-step down: D♭-A♭-d♭-g♭-a♭-d♭'. Three down-tuned variations are used by the band Sevendust: A Drop C variation, or C-G-c-f-g-c'. (used on the song "Unraveling"), a Drop B variation, or B'-F♯-B-e-f♯-b, and a Drop A# variation, or A♯'-F-A♯-d♯-f-a♯. Neighboring tunings D-A-d-e-a-e' and C-G-c-d-g-a have been used by Martin Carthy. Also D-A-d-a-a-d', was used by Dave Wakeling on the English Beat's 1983 "Save It For Later".
Dad-Dad
DADDAD tuning (listen)
D-A-d-d-a-d'
Nicknamed - "Papa-Papa". DADDAD is common in folk music (Irish, Scottish), and for the execution of a rhythm guitar in "heavy" (alternative music) on 6th on the third string at the same time. To reach the tuning from DADGAD, Open D or Open D Minor, the G string is dropped to D so that the 3rd and 4th strings are tuned to the same pitch. DADDAD tuning is sometimes used on Dobro guitars for rock and blues. Notable users of this tuning include Billy McLaughlin and John Butler.
Cello/Standard guitar
C-G-d-a-b-e'
Essentially a cello tuning with the deeper four strings in fifths and the two highest strings in standard guitar tuning. Used on numerous Pavement songs and by Foo Fighters on the song "Weenie Beenie"
"Karnivool" tuning
B-F♯-b-g-b-e'
Hybrid tuning between drop B-tuning and E-standard. Used by the band Karnivool for many of their songs.
Mi-composé
E-A-d'-g-b-e'
Mi-composé is a tuning commonly used for rhythm guitar in African popular music forms such as soukous and makossa.[39] It is similar to the standard guitar tuning, except that the d string is raised an entire octave. This is accomplished by replacing the d string with an e' string and tuning it to d'.
D-A-D-G♭-B-E
This is a tuning favored by the Swedish singer-songwriter José González. He uses this on such songs as "Crosses", "Heartbeats" and "Cycling Trivialities" (capo on second fret). It is similar to the standard guitar tuning, but the low E string is dropped to D and the G string is dropped a half step to F♯/G♭.
Dadd9 tuning
D-A-D-F#-A-E. This tuning is used by Tonic in their song Soldier's Daughter with a capo on the 4th fret.
The open strings of a guitar can be tuned to microtonal intervals, however microtonal scales cannot easily be played on a conventional guitar because the frets only allow for a chromatic scale of twelve equally spaced pitches, each a semitone apart. (Certain microtonal scales, particularly quarter tones, can be played on a standard guitar solely by adjusting tunings, but the distance between notes on the scale makes it somewhat impractical.) It is possible to play microtonal scales on a fretless guitar, to convert a fretted guitar into a fretless, or to make a custom neck with a specific microtonal fret spacing.
Guitars can also be refretted to a microtonal scale.[40] On many refretted microtonal guitars, the frets are split, so that the tuning of each string is independent from the others. To enable an adjustable microtonal tuning, there exist guitars with frets that can be moved across the fingerboard.[41][42]
Extended techniques such as the 3rd bridge technique, slide guitar and prepared guitar techniques can be used to produce microtonality without severe modification to the instrument.
Guitar tunings inspired by other Instruments
In his on-line guide to alternative tunings for six-string guitars, William Sethares mentions several that are inspired by instruments other than guitars, for example, balalaika (E-A-D-E-E-A), cittern C-G-C-G-C-G, and Dobro G-B-D-G-B-D.
Five string guitars are common in Brazil, where they are known as guitarra baiana and are typically tuned in 5ths. Schecter Guitar Research produced a production model 5 string guitar called the Celloblaster in 1998.[43] A five-string tuning may be necessary in a pinch when a string breaks on a standard six-string (usually the high E) and no replacement is immediately available.
Some basic five-string tunings include:
Standard - E-A-d-g-b The standard tuning, without the top E string attached. Alternative variants are easy from this tuning, but because several chords inherently omit the lowest string, it may leave some chords relatively thin or incomplete with the top string missing (the D chord, for instance, must be fretted 5-4-3-2-3 to include F#, the tone a major third above D).
High C - E-A-d-g-c' Standard tuning with the B tuned a half step higher to C to emulate a 6 string bass guitar, minus the low B. This is an all fourths tuning.
Celloblaster or Guitello - C-G-d-a-e' An all fifths tuning as used on cello or mandolin, extended to five strings. Used by the noise-rock band Lightning Bolt, and by Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson on his Bach Cello Suites album.[44]
Baritone - E-A-d-f♯-b In this tuning, the fourth (G) string is lowered a half-step, thus recreating the intervals between the top five strings, lowered a perfect fourth. Though chords can easily and more fully be played from this tuning, it sometimes results in awkward inversions, a relatively minor problem if the five-string is played in an ensemble with a bass guitar.
E-A-c♯-f♯-b Simulates the top four strings, followed by the second-from-bottom string on top, raised a whole step (the F♯ representing both the top and bottom E). It makes playing in the key of A major easier, though chord fingerings have to be altered unless the strings are rearranged to F♯-B-E-A-C♯.
Open G tuning - G-d-g-b-d' Some slide/bottleneck guitarists omit the bottom E string when playing in open G to have the root note as the tonic. This tuning is used by Keith Richards.
Open E♭5 tuning - E♭-B♭-e♭-b♭-e♭' This is achieved by removing the fourth (G) string, tuning both Es and the B down a half step, and the A and D strings up a half-step. This creates a five-string power chord.
Seven-string
Similar to five-string bass guitar tuning, seven-string tuning allows for the extra string a fourth lower than the original sixth string. This allows for the note range of B standard tuning without transposing E standard guitar chords down two and a half steps down. Baritone 7-string guitars are available which features a longer scale-length allowing it to be tuned to a lower range.
Standard Tuning - B'-E-A-d-g-b-e' This is the Standard seven-string tuning.
Drop A 7-String Tuning - A'-E-A-d-g-b-e' This is the Standard seven-string tuning with low B dropped to A.
Standard Choro Tuning - C-E-A-d-g-b-e' Standard seven-string tuning for Brazilian choro.
Drop D 7-String Tuning - B'-D-A-d-g-b-e' Standard seven-string tuning with the low E dropped to D, which results in a minor 3rd interval between the two lowest strings of B and D. Used by Ed Sloan of Crossfade. Also used by Animals as Leaders on the song "CAFO". A flat variation of this tuning is used by Periphery on the song “Racecar”.
Drop D & A 7-String Tuning - A'-D-A-d-g-b-e' Standard seven-string tuning with a Dropped D and A from E and B. Used extensively by Dir En Grey since the album "Dum Spiro Spero" as well as the song "Obscure" from the album Vulgar. Also used by Stam1na.
Thirds Tuning - E-G♯-c-e-g♯-c'-e' Same range as standard six-string. Allows over two full chromatic octaves without changing position, slides or bends.
All Fourths Tuning - B'-E-A-d-g-c'-f' Expands the major third between the second and third strings, extending range a half step higher.
Russian Tuning - D-G-B-D-g-b-d 6-string Open G tuning with additional 5th B-string. Was a standard tuning for classic 7-string guitars in Russia in the 19th to 20th centuries.
G♯/A♭ tuning - G♯'-C♯-F♯-B-e-g♯-c♯' / A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e-a♭-d♭' One and one half steps down from standard. Used by bands such as Deftones (on their self-titled album) and Korn (on the song "Alone I Break", but on 14-string guitars). Also used by Mark Tremonti on the song "Show Me A Leader" (Myles uses a 6-String guitar tuned to Drop C#)
G tuning - G'-C-F-A♯-d♯-g-c' / G'-C-F-B♭-e♭-g-c' Two full steps down from standard tuning. Used by Luc Lemay of Gorguts[45]
F♯/G♭ tuning - F♯'-B'-E-A-d-f♯-b / G♭'-B'-E-A-d-g♭-b Two and one half steps down from standard. Used by Danish band Mnemic in the albums Passenger, Sons of the System, and Mnemesis. Fear Factory also used this tuning for their cover of Wiseblood's "0-0 (Where Evil Dwells)", while their all other songs tuned in F♯/G♭ were played with eight-string guitars.
F tuning - F'-A♯'-D♯-G♯-c♯-f-a♯ / F'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-d♭-f-b♭ Three full steps down from standard. Used by Meshuggah during the recording of Nothing. The songs are played live using 8 string guitars.
E tuning - E'-A'-D-G-c-e-a Three and one half steps down from standard.
D♯/E♭ tuning - D♯'-G♯'-C♯-F♯-B-d♯-g♯ / E♭'-A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e♭-a♭ Four full steps down from standard.
D tuning - D'-G'-C-F-A♯-d-g / D'-G'-C-F-B♭-d-g Four and one half steps down from standard.
C♯/D♭ tuning - C♯'-F♯'-B'-E-A-c♯-f♯ / D♭'-G♭'-B'-E-A-d♭-g♭/ Five full steps down from standard.
C tuning - C'-F'-A♯'-D♯-G♯-c-f / C'-F'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-c-f Five and one half steps down from standard.
Octave Tuning - B"-E'-A'-D-G-B-e Six full steps (one octave) down from standard tuning.
High A - E-A-d-g-b-e'-a' - Standard tuning with a high 'A' instead of a low 'B'. Because of the high pitch of the 'A' string, it usually requires a multi-scale fingerboard (fanned frets) to provide enough tension.
C tuning - C-F-A♯-d♯-g-c'-f' / C-F-B♭-e♭-g-c'-f' Half a step up from standard, used by Eddie Rendini during his time in Cold.
C♯ tuning - C♯-F♯-B-e-a-c♯-f♯ The whole step up from standard. This tuning was used by Wes Borland with high E-string being lowered to C♯ (C♯-F♯-B-e-a-c♯-c♯) on the first two Limp Bizkit records.
Dropped
These tunings have the added low 7th string tuned one full step lower allowing for chord structures similar to six-string drop tunings.
Drop B - B-F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / B-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯-F♯ / B-G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ a tuning which combines the standard drop B tuning of a 6 string electric guitar, but with a high F♯ for soloing. Used by bands such as All Shall Perish and Assemble the Chariots
Drop A - alternatively, A-E-A-D-F#-B-E The same as drop A tuning for a 6-string on the low strings while retaining a high E. In effect converts a 7-string into a drop A baritone guitar, but with standard tuning's soloing capability.
Drop F♯/Drop G♭ - F♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯ / G♭-D♭-G♭-B-E-A♭-D♭ One and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Deftones (on their Saturday Night Wrist album).
Drop F - F-C-F-A♯-D♯-G-C / F-C-F-B♭-E♭-G-C / Two full steps down from standard Drop A. This tuning is used on three tracks on Attack Attack!'s album This Means War: "The Hopeless," "The Abduction," and "The Wretched." The bands DVSR, Northlane (F-B♭-F-B♭-E♭-G-C), The Acacia Strain, Reflections and "Conan" use this tuning as well. Triumphant Return uses a variation of this tuning (F-C-G-C-F-A-D).
Drop E1 - E-B-E-A-D-F♯-B / E-B-E-A-D-G♭-B Two and one half steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop D1♯/Drop E1♭ - D♯-A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-A♯ / E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭ Three full steps down from standard Drop A. A variation of this tuning is used on Northlane's Alien album (E♭-A♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭)
Drop D1 - D-A-D-G-C-E-A Three and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Black Tongue.
Drop C1♯/Drop D1♭ - D♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ / C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ Four full steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop C1 - C-G-C-F-A♯-D-G / C-G-C-F-B♭-D-G Four and one half steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop B0 - B-F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / B-G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ Five full steps down from standard Drop A. Six full steps (one octave) down from a baritone Drop B guitar
Drop A♯/Drop B♭ - A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-F / B♭-F-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-F Five and one half steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop A0 Tuning - A-E-A-D-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from standard Drop A.
Drop G#0 tuning -G♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-D♯ (One octave below drop G#). Used by American deathcore band Anzu.
Eight-string
A continuation of the 7-string, adding another string a perfect fourth lower than the seven strings low B. The eight string guitars additional low F♯ string is just a whole step up from a bass guitars low E string. While luthiers have been building these instruments previously, mass-produced eight-string electric guitars are a relatively recent innovation. Ibanez was first to offer a production eight-string guitar in March 2007.[46] Many other companies now produce mass-market eight-string models, yet these guitars remain relatively uncommon.
Standard 8 String F♯'-B'-E-A-D-G-B-E' Standard eight-string tuning. Used by Scar Symmetry on the song "The Three-Dimensional Shadow" from the album Holographic Universe (album) and "Mechanical Soul Cybernetics" from the album Dark Matter Dimensions, Deftones, Periphery on "Ji", "Overture", "Extraneous", "22 Faces", "Four Lights" and "Stranger Things", by Fear Factory on "Mechanize", "Metallic Division", "God Eater" and "Soul Hacker" and by Devil You Know on some songs.
E tuning - E'-A'-D-G-c-f-a-d' One full step down from standard tuning. Used by Meshuggah and Korn on their "Untitled" album and on songs "Illuminati" and "Way Too Far" from their The Path of Totality album.
E♭ tuning- E♭'-A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e-a♭-d♭' One and a half steps down from standard tuning. Used by Meshuggah on "Nebulous" and Dissipate on their Tectonics EP.
D tuning - D'-G'-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c' Two full steps down from standard tuning.
A tuning - A"-D'-G'-C-F-A-d-g Three and one half steps down from standard tuning.
Higher
High A tuning - B'-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a' Standard seven string tuning with a 'high a' Used by Rusty Cooley.
All fourths tuning - F♯'-B'-E-A-d-g-c'-f' Regular tuning which extends range a half step higher.
Dropped
Drop E/F♭ - E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E A combination of standard 7-string tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step. Allows to play in the range of a standard electric bass, as well as one-finger power chords. Used by Animals as Leaders[47] and Whitechapel (on the songs "Devolver" and "Breeding Violence" from A New Era of Corruption). Also used by Deftones on Koi No Yokan and Gore, Allegaeon, and Emmure on the song "N.I.A. (News in Arizona)". An open variation of this tuning is used by Hacktivist with 3rd and 4th strings tuned a whole step up to A and E respectively.
Drop E, A - E-A-E-A-D-G-B-E A combination of 7-string drop A tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step, allowing both power chords rooted on A, and easy fingering with the E a fourth below. This is the tuning of the lowest two strings of a bass, along with all 6 strings of a standard-tuned guitar. It is used by Rings Of Saturn on the album Lugal Ki En.
Drop E, A (Variation) - E-A-E-A-D-F♯-B-E A variation on Drop E, A with the G flattened one half step to F♯; this tuning is identical to 6-string Drop A, with two E strings added: one above, and one below. Like Drop E, A; this tuning allows easy fingering on the E since it is a standard fourth interval below the A. It also provides three high strings a fourth apart instead of the usual two. The tuning is used by Infant Annihilator on their album The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch. A 7-string variation of the tuning without the high E (E-A-E-A-D-F♯-B) was used on their previous album The Palpable Leprosy of Pollution and is used by Enterprise Earth/Delusions of Grandeur guitarist Gabe Mangold.
Drop E♭/D♯ - E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B♭-E♭ Half a step down from drop E tuning. Used by Meshuggah in the album Catch Thirty-Three, in the song Shed, and used by Emmure in the album Speaker of the Dead in the song "Word of Intulo". Also used by After the Burial in the song "To Carry You Away" off of the album In Dreams.
Drop D - D-A-D-G-C-F-A-D One full step down from drop E. Used by Meshuggah in the song "Obsidian".
Drop C♯ - C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯ One and a half steps down from drop E. Used by After the Burial on the songs "Pennyweight", "Neo Seoul" and "A Wolf Amongst Ravens" off of their Wolves Within album.
A continuation of the eight string, adding a string lower or higher.
Standard - C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'. Used by After The Burial on some songs from Wolves Within, by Mick Gordon for the Doom soundtrack, and by Animals As Leaders for Private Visions of the World.
High A - F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a'
Lower
B tuning - B-E-A-D-G-c-f-a-d One full step from standard tuning. Gives the range of a five-string electric bass as well as a six-string electric guitar.
Dropped
Drop B, E - B-E-B-E-A-d-g-b-e Gives the range of a five-string electric bass as well as a seven-string electric guitar in standard tuning. Used by Animals As Leaders.
Drop B - B-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e
Double Drop A - A-D-A-D-C♯-c-g-g♯-e' (Or) A-D-A-D-C (16th#)-C-G-Ab-E Used by Glass Cloud and Emmure on their album Look at Yourself.
Drop A - A-E-A-D-G-c-f-a-d
Standard 9-string tuning tuned one whole step down, and the lowest string dropped another whole step.
Drop G - G-D-G-C-F-a ♯-d ♯-g-c.
Ten-String
A continuation of the nine string, adding another lower string to the standard or high A tuning.
Standard - G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'
High A - C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a'
Standard bass and standard guitar - standard E-A-D-g-b-e tuning for the top 6 strings and standard E'-A'-G-D bass tuning for the bottom 4 strings. It's set as a factory tuning for Agile Septor 1030.
On table steel guitar and pedal steel guitar, the most common tunings are the extended-chord C6 tuning and E9 tuning, sometimes known as the Texas and Nashville tunings respectively. On a multiple-neck instrument, the near neck will normally be some form of C6, and the next closest neck E9.
Necks with 12 or more strings can be used with universal tunings which combine the features of C6 and E9. On a 12 string pedal steel guitar, all 12 strings are tuned and played individually, not as 6 double courses as on the 12 string guitar.
On lap steel guitar there is often only one six-string neck. C6 tuning is popular for these instruments, as are open G, E6, and E7 tuning.
This tuning may also be used with a capo at the third fret to match the common lute pitch: G-c-f-a-d'-g'. This tuning also matches standard vihuela tuning and is often employed in classical guitar transcriptions of music written for those instruments, such as, for instance, "La Canción Del Emperador" and "Diferencias Sobre Guardame Las Vacas" by Renaissance composer Luis de Narváez.
References
^Sethares (2009, pp. 18–19) harvtxt error: no target: CITEREFSethares2009 (help)
^"Composers for other plucked instruments: Rudolf Straube (1717-1785)". Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers (Translated by Katarina Backman ed.). Mel Bay. 2007. p. 30. ISBN9780786658442. ISBN0786658444. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
^ abGuitar Tunings Database (2013). "CCGCEG Guitar Tuner". CCGCEG: Open C via harmonic overtones. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^Timofeyev (1999): Timofeyev, Oleg V. (1999). The golden age of the Russian guitar: Repertoire, performance practice, and social function of the Russian seven-string guitar music, 1800-1850. Duke University, Department of Music. pp. 1–584. University Microfilms (UMI), Ann Arbor, Michigan, number 9928880. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
^Sethares (2001, p. 16) harvtxt error: no target: CITEREFSethares2001 (help)
^Cohen, Andy (22 March 2005). "Stefan Grossman- Country Blues Guitar in Open Tunings". Sing Out!. 49 (1): 152.
^Kirkeby, Ole (1 March 2012). "Major thirds tuning". m3guitar.com. cited by Sethares (2011). Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^Official Ibanez Forums announcement: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2012-09-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Denyer, Ralph (1992). "Playing the guitar ('How the guitar is tuned', pp. 68–69, and 'Alternative tunings', pp. 158–159)". The guitar handbook. Robert Fripp (foreword); Special contributors Isaac Guillory and Alastair M. Crawford (Fully revised and updated ed.). London and Sydney: Pan Books. pp. 65–160. ISBN0-330-32750-X.
Allen, Warren (22 September 2011) [30 December 1997]. "WA's encyclopedia of guitar tunings". (Recommended by Marcus, Gary (2012). Guitar zero: The science of learning to be musical. Oneworld. p. 234. ISBN9781851689323.). Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)