_(1).gif)
Topic: Alternative Tunings
The next in my series of alternate tuning articles is the D7 tuning.
Going from standard tuning, the 1st and 6th strings are lowered a whole step, the 3rd string is lowered a half step, and the 2nd string is raised a half step.
This tuning isn't that common but with the dominant seventh sound it's almost a natural for playing blues slide. It also would work well for a singer or rhythm guitarist strumming out seventh chords and, with some practice, might offer some interesting fingerstyle tunes.
The scale tones created by this tuning are
| String | Scale Tone |
| 1st | root |
| 2nd | minor seventh |
| 3rd | major third |
| 4th | root |
| 5th | fifth |
| 6th | root |
My demo, as always, starts with the open string strum. Next I do a simple rhythm chord riff. It's a simple barre chord like so:
e |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
B |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
G |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
D |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
A |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
E |5-------|10-------|5-------|12-------|10-------|5-------|
In the third sample, I do a little fingerstyle noodling around. I just kind of went for what sounded OK and didn't quite get it. I'd suggest playing around with it yourself to find interesting fingerstyle sounds.
The last part is the rhythm riff revisited as a slide semi-lead. I really like this tuning for slide since the open 7th chord on all strings makes it a no-brainer for slide playing. Give it a try if you're new to slide and you won't find it as frustrating as some of the other tunings.
Click Here To Download D7 Tuning Demo MP3
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the D7 Tuning and I'll try to answer them as best I can.
