I've refreshed this because in one of the musical advice threads, Rick suggested using an open tuning when you're practicing fingerpicking, etc., so you can concentrate on what the right hand (or in the case of GaryT, the left) is doing.

So ... if I tune my guitar to DADGAD, does it start with the higher-pitched strings (at the bottom of the guitar as you're holding it) or the lower-soudnign strings? And how do I change chords once I've got this tuning? I can't just play an A, can I? Do you just barre straight across to make the different chords?

Sorry to sound dumb but ... on this, I AM.

ww