The pros and cons of DADGAD

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 09:51 AM

Moocowpoo...Just saw your message from the Gila Eban thread. My zouk is a Joshua House guitar shaped bouzouki, walnut back sides and neck, cedar top, purpleheart rosette and neck lamination, ebony fingerboard and bridge, figured maple rising sun inlay in the fingerboard, Schaller mandolin tuning machines, side port, 25.4 " scale length, no pickup yet. Mooh.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 10:10 AM

Well now, Chris B the liverpudlian, I must respectfully disagree. I fear you are forgetting your supportive roll as an accompaniist, when you said :

..."then you have a problem with your melody instruments"...

I don't believe that there is a "problem" with anyone's playing... Lets just say that the guitar, bohdran, bouzuki, and even the piano... are translators... or cheerleaders... that can make that 'rocky road to Dublin' a little smoother... and more congenial. Yes, and everybody wins.

When sessions are getting a bit murky and undefined, finding the rhythm and 'moving' chords in a confident fluid fashion can bring it together no matter what the guitar tuning is. While it is readily apparent that the tunes themselves contain the latent rhythm and establish the beat... It is a darn good player ideed that doesn't benefit from a supportive and responsive accompaniist... and sessions... well... lets just say... all those 'correct' versions... do vary slightly...

Cheerio!
ttr

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 10:13 AM

I think DADGAD, Dropped D and double-dropped D tunings are great for variety and increasing versatility. Other tunings too, why not?
I play stuff like Big Yellow Taxi, Vincent Black Lightning, Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, and Words of Love etc with a double G bass (E up to G, A down to G) – easy to play (well, apart from Vincent BL which takes a bit of practice!) and a good big sound.

I played DADGAD almost exclusively for a while (very seductive – great sound, easy to play and develop) but eventually went back to standard and found I was prepared to experiment much more because of my experience with open tunings. Also saw Isacc Guillory at a couple of gigs and asked him about his tuning (expecting him to tell me it was some form of open tuning) and was very surprised to find out he was in standard tuning. That convinced me I needed to push my own barriers further outward. Guillory's guitar playing was out of this world – I've got no chance of ever getting anywhere near that of course, but hearing it made me push on with my own playing in standard tuning, and I'm very grateful for that.

After playing DADGAD for a while I re-visited some of my favourites from the 60's, including Davey Graham, and was able at last to see how the magic of his guitar was achieved – via open-tuning – and not nearly as difficult as I used to think. I also started experimenting with some Buddy Holly songs in DADGAD, slowing them down and playing around with the melodies to suit. I like to think maybe he'd have re-visited his early work and done something similar………..

Variety's the spice of life – but my advice would be not to turn your back on standard tuning.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 10:17 AM

You might try ADAD some time, moocowpoo.

Anyone ever set up a guitar as ADADAD or DADADA?   That's a question. not a recommendation. I never have, but it might be interesting top hear from someone who has.

But there are good reasons why the standard tuning became the standard tuning, and I think there's a lot to be said for exploring it pretty fully before moving on to others, except as a special effect. Which is what the people who have really mastered the alternative tunings have generally done. DADGAD as a quick fix because standard chords seem a bit hard doesn't strike me as a good idea.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Mooh
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:02 AM

McGrath...Yeah, I've used DGDGDG and CGCGCG on guitar using an octave G string from a 12 string set for the first string. Also BEBEBE and AEAEAE on the baritone. Lots of great big fat two notes in three octaves chords, and repeated patterns all over the neck. HUGE sound!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:10 AM

I don't agree on going with standard just because it's "standard". It wasn't always that way...
I love people's ideas about backing musicians, but I'm accompanying myself. This has turned into a nice thread though. Don't wanna ruin it.
Well anyway, has anyone ever used the hybrid EADGAD tuning I mentioned earlier?

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: moocowpoo
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:31 AM

ok McGrath, I'll give that tuning a try.
Although, what I like about GDAD is, that it's a nice tuning for chords and, it's not tooooooo far from mandolin tuning that I have to rethink my tunes so much.
mooh, I've also got a guitar shaped zouk! (carved top, Graham McDonald),,,what country is
Joshua from?
I don't play GDAD beause it's a 'quick fix', (mando tuning would be much better for me),,, I just like the sound of it.
ps::::::I believe it's possible to do amazing things in ANY tuning, (standard included) it's just a matter of preference.
moo

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:35 AM

I've got a book here that list all kinds of tunings various people havr used, and EADGAD doesn't show up, so maybe you've got a new one, nightbird. EADGAE was the nearest I could find - various people, including John Renbourn on occasion.

Sure, standard wasn't always standard, it caught on because it worked pretty well for the kinds of music people were playing on guitars, especially when they were playing along with other people. But there's never been anything sacred about it.

One question occurs to me, and it's for anybody out there who builds guitars - when people prefer to use specific tunings other than standard, should that ideally mean some adapotation in the way the way their instruments are built?

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:38 AM

I haven't seen that tuning listed anywhere McGrath. I couldn't have come up with it though. There are no new tunings left...

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: synbyn
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 01:30 PM

I've used CGCGCC on a Martin 12-string to get a dulcimerish sound- worth it to see the look on the owner's face...thanks, granpop!

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Nick
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 08:05 PM

Last time I looked there were 40 something tunings here... Joni Mitchell tunings - I wonder if she knows how to tune it 'properly'?

Think there's mention there of Stephen Stills C#C#C#C#G#C# tuning for Carey and Suite:Judy Blue Eyes which sounds surprisingly ok.

I can't help but feel it's what you do with the tuning rather than the tuning per se. Some examples -

* I went to see Chris Newman recently who I find an incredible accompanist. I think he drops the odd D string now and again but otherwise stays in a standard tuning (I think). But he plays chords all over the fretboard with such incredible fluidity that I would doubt he sees much advantage in open/modal tunings
* I went to see another performer recently who plays almost all his songs in DADGAD and usually in the same key. After the third song the similarity of style/progressions/sound made me yearn for some contrast
* There's a favourite tune of mine written by John McGann called Canyon Moonrise in which he creates a DADGADish sort of feel and sound using a standard tuning

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: reggie miles
Date: 09 Nov 04 - 10:25 PM

I've been foolin' around with a version of this for some time. (GDGBDG) I suppose if I moved that B up to C I'd have the equivalent of the DADGAD tuning but I've never seen the need as of yet. There seems to be plenty of room to poke around in the tuning I've been exploring.

I guess I believe, as moocowpoo has stated, that you're only as limited as your willingness to experiment. I don't feel trapped by the open tuning I've explored. It certainly doesn't serve me in every song and so I have a standard tuned guitar. I attribute my inability to my inexperience with my own exploration. I keep at it, and occasionally make a few new discoveries by noodling my way blindly along. I have no great knowledge of the structure of chords only what seems to sound appropriate to my ear. I'm certain that, given this rather lazy approach to my exploration I may never get very far with any of this.

I do see the need to try to vary song approaches so that they don't all sound the same and I try to do this a couple of different ways. First, I have several guitars tuned in alternate keys but using the same basic pattern in the keys of C, D, and G. Along with my standard tuned guitar (which is tuned a whole step low) and a capo, I have a variety of keys to play with. Second, if I have two or three songs that might have a similar approach, key or tempo, I try to space them far enough apart during the evening's set list so that there won't be too many songs that sound the same too close together. Variety is, after all, the spice of life. Like many others, I have keys that I favor or that seem to work best for my voice within a given melody pattern. Sometimes during my combinations with other folks I'm forced to play in only a narrow range due to the limitations of what I'm trying to accompany. Often, the limitations of one musical partner, coupled with my own, offer enough variety to satisfy most listeners.

It may be time to branch beyond the one open tuning I've been so doggedly hounding all these years. I think I'd like to try that Dobro lap style open G tuning that so many other friends of mine have been exploring.

What is it they say about idle hands?

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 12:42 PM

"Alternative tunings" aren't a new idea. George Formby used to have a range of ukeleles (or rather banjoleles), all tuned to different keys, so he could always use the one lot of chords.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 01:18 PM

That's interesting. I just bought one of them George Formby grills...

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: PennyBlack
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 02:44 PM

Gdd Grills nowt goes wrong in 'em

"He He - Turned out nice again"

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Hess
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 04:23 PM

OK - now, I need help (that what all from friends say!)and DADGAD (or similar)might be the way through - I've a "frozen" left shoulder, which means I'm unable to move that arm much. I'm pretty frustrated in playing instruments (and I was before as well!) and I need to revisit how I do lots of things at the moment. My left hand struggles to reach above the 7th fret, so I'm looking at capo'ng and playing ULTRA simple chords.I seem to choose to sing lots in aroung E
Suggestions please!
Hess

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 04:39 PM

You could try a DADGAD variant, but to play in E rather than D - EBEABE. It'd be the same as if you had DADGAD, but capoed up two frets (which would be the other way of doing it.) Simple chords and a good sound.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Hess
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 07:17 PM

Thanks for that thought - sorry to be dumb, but on which fret does the capo go? and any suggestions for easy chord figurings would go down a treat.
Cheers
Hess

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 09:02 PM

Hess,

The variant I use is EBEAbBE and it works as well. Besides the E chord, which is the chord your guitar is tuned to without fingering the neck in this open tuning, there are two simple fingered chords that make the A and B. The A chord in this tuning looks very much like the normal E chord in standard tuning, only without fingering the note on the second fret of the fourth string. The B chord in this tuning looks like a D7th in standard tuning except you move the two upper fingers in the shape up one string. I hope this is clear enough to visualize.

You might also try using your guitar as a lap guitar with this tuning. Laying it, back facing down, in your lap the way bluegrass Dobro pickers do. You'll have to purchase a slide bar of some sort. Lap style playing can be an easy alternative given it's simplicity. Of course, you can take this stylistic approach as far as you wish and many have.

They also make capos that work for lap style square neck Dobro guitars should you start to explore this alternative.

All the best

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Hess
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 03:03 AM

Cheers Reggie
The problem is in not beng able to crank the arm outwards/upwards (ouch/wont go). It's all a bit distressing really! Reckon I can do it with a capo ? - guess I've just got to experiment huh!
Thanks for the thoughts
Hess

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:34 AM

A guitar-playing friend of mine had an op for his frozen shoulder 3 weeks ago and it's been successful - but I assume you've explored that one already Hess. Good luck with it whichever way you go

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: shepherdlass
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 03:51 PM

Check out Pierre Bensusan's stuff (recorded and tablature) - it really opens up the possibilities of DADGAD. The only thing is, if you're looking to emulate his harmonies (which go way beyond the obvious DADGAD sounds) you need big hands (I don't, so I just listen and wonder at the possibilities).

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 07:31 PM

Hess,

Lap style might be the alternative you seek because of the relaxed position of the upper arms while playing. It is certainly worth some experimentation to see how well it may work given your condition.

Keep the faith

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,Hess
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:15 PM

Thanks for the thoughts - lots of stuff for me to give a go over the weekend. Apparently these shoulders do come right of their own accord - may take a couple of years though, so I don't want to put everything on hold while I wait! Operation - ouch ouch ouch - pleased its worked out for him though.
Cheers Hess

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 06:44 AM

just a note of minor interest..

instructions supplied with a Jerry Jones electric baby sitar..
-the budget version without the sypathetic drone strings-
[my latest new music noisemaker]

"tuning from the factory is a 'drop D'.
You may prefer a DADGAD tuning
or even a standard tuning."

so now theres another reason
to treat yourself to one
of these cool fun sitars this xmas..

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:34 AM

punkfolkrocker

not sure if these are available in Australia - anybody got a link or a pic?

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:48 AM

http://www.jerryjonesguitars.com/Baby%20sitar.htm

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Brendy
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:52 AM

7th fret, Clinton... ;-)

The only thing that holds one back in DAGDAD, is one's imagination.
As you're only 'suggesting' chords, at the best of times, you tend to think in different terms.
Especially when accompanying Irish Trad.
The nuances within the melody are more accurately reflected, IMO, by its modal undertones.

.... thinking of writing a song about Iraq, and doing it in the BAGDAD tuning ....

B.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 03:47 AM

I've always found DADGAD very usefull. The difficult bit is playing in a range of keys. It's OK for D, Dm, G, Am, Bm, Em, and Gm but can be difficult for C. Yoy realy need a good capo. As a derivitive I had Steffan Sobell build me a Cittern (5 course Bouzuki) to tune DADGD. Works very well.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: open mike
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 11:16 PM

does anyone know of a site where there are DADGAD chord charts
to copy or print out?
i know i have a book and set of instruction tapes around here somewhere.....

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 11:27 PM

just checking back to what i wrote here nearly a year ago..

since then i can definitely confirm that electric sitars
and danelectro 12 strings sound brilliant in this tuning..

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 11:52 PM

Pierre Bensusan is reputed to have tabulature for his music on his website... but I've never looked.

www.pierrebensusan.com

Cheerio!
ttr

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 12:31 AM

I always shunned this tuning thinking of it as the devil and all his works. just utterly opposed to my view of folk music. It always represented to me the self conciously 'traditional' sound that totally alienates anybody not actually wearing a fisherman's smock.

I think the guitarists that changed my mind were Eric roche and ken Nicol. Particularly the latter. he gave a seminar at Fylde folk festival and played some exquisite ragtime and blues. Also Tony Dean of No Fixed Abode, being younger and more open minded than myself, used it as a songwring aid and there was nothing in his approach that sounds like the the St Vitus Dance school of folk music.

I've played it for a few months now, and found it very rewarding. Although there is nothing as yet I'd consider performance standard in it, I hope there will be soon and I'd recommend it as a lot of fun.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 09:35 AM

One pro is how well sueted DADGAD is for all the great " dorian" mode tunes and songs . .: Jefferson & Liberty , Shady Groves, Lovley Joan , Royal Oak
East Virginnia , Polly Dutch Burgers , John Barleycorn ....... Marshall Bearen has written a great tune book for Viol called something like Golden Dorian .. I will go get the exact name but most of them work well with this tuneing ...

All the bst , Guy

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: rhyzla
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 09:49 AM

Just out of interest, a play a twin neck, with the 6 in DADGAD and the mando in GDAD.

It's good fun playing on one, and letting the other resonate, and to jump from one to another in a song!

Back to the start of this thread - don't see how you can have a con from a tuning - only how it's played.

I've used DADGAD for 10 years, but use lots of others aswell.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 10:56 AM

"does anyone know of a site where there are DADGAD chord charts
to copy or print out?"

There's a chord chart on my web site I linked to above...

:-)

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: David C. Carter
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 11:29 AM

To GUEST HESS,I saw Kevin Coyne one time back in the dark ages,and he played lap style,he was fretting the strings with just his thumb.I tried this,using open G.You don't have to hold down all the strings,you kind of move your thumb across the fretboard selecting which strings you want to play.Did you ever hear his album"Marjory Razorblade",if not,it's well worth a listen or three.......

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: tonyteach1
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 12:44 PM

I thought I would revive this thread as there is discussion about strings I am a guitar and piano teacher DADGAD seems no more useful to me than a lot of other tunings if you like it good but its no good if you want to play All theThings You Are in A Flat

Great admirer of Martin Carthy and Wizz Jones Bert Jansch

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 12:59 PM

Martin Carthy does not use Dadgad these days, hardly at all.I PREFER CGCGCD,
Or second fret partial capo standard tuning 543 strings, very similiar to dadgad, handy if you can sing in e modal [which i can] and avoids a lot of retuning .

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: olddude
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 01:30 PM

Good News - anyone can play it
Bad News - Anyone can play it

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 07:58 PM

Yes, Dick - and with another capo you can run that mock DADGAD up three frets (if the heel on your guitar is small and it is 14 frets to the body) and in fact IMHO the internal fingerings are better than true DADGAD.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Howard Jones
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 07:48 AM

tonyteach1, all tunings, including "standard" have their strengths and weaknesses. You're right, you wouldn't use DADGAD or a lot of other open tunings to play "All the Things You Are" in A Flat - but for the styles of music which this forum is mostly about they have some advantages. Using different tunings opens up different possibilities - the trick is to match those possibilities to the particular piece of music and choose the most appropriate tuning for the job.

There's also a cultural aspect. The guitar is a traditional instrument in American folk music and there is a traditional guitar sound based largely on standard tuning. The instrument isn't widely found in British traditional music, and its use is mainly a feature of the folk revival. A British style of folk guitar has developed which is largely based on open tunings.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: tonyteach1
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 08:51 AM

FAO Howard Jones - I have been going into folk clubs for nearly 50 years There are people who play open tunings and people who dont't Classical and flamenco use altered tuning as well There are altered tunings in the blues for slide and the Vestapol tuning in the US

I would also dispute that the guitar is not widely found in British folk music I have seen lots in in every folk club I have been to.

I was asking about the specific advantages of DADGAD

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 08:53 AM

I detect a "what is folk" moment coming on...

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 10:29 AM

The point has been made already but, to reiterate it, one of the main advantages of DADGAD (apart from the greater depth it adds to the D chord - a chord that crops up very commonly in accompanying fiddle music) is that it encourages a range of chords with no thirds, i.e. neither major nor minor. To my ears those chords sound appropriate when accompanying the kind of modal tunes that you find in English folk song and much dance music. Of course it is possible to add the thirds, and deliberately warm up the sound of the chords, but you don't have them imposed on you as you do with standard tuning.

It's also very good if you like the sound of a drone - playing partial chords of G, C, Bm, Em, etc., whilst leaving D and possibly A strings open.

The main problem with it is that it can become very monotonous if you just play in the key of D and hammer away at the basic one-finger D chord. There are half a dozen of more versions and inversions of D and G chords, all of which give different flavours, and playing DADGAD in the key of G or A modal also gets away from the cliched sound.

Howard Jones is quite right about American music - the standard-tuned guitar has been a part of that since the first commercial recordings of early country and bluegrass music (blues slide gutarists used open tunings, not DADGAD), and DADGAD tends to sound inauthentic when added to a country song or Southern fiddle tune. Though to my mind it can sound good with a modally-tuned banjo or modal Appalachian ballad. There's no comparable history of guitar accompaniment to English folk music predating the 1960s folk revival, so the guitarists experimenting in that period with accompaniments to English folk songs started with a more or less clean slate.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Howard Jones
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 10:38 AM

Without getting into a "what is folk" argument, I distinguish between the original folk tradition and the folk revival as reflected in folk clubs. I was referring to the use of guitar in the British musical tradition, where it was seldom found (although there are some examples). The guitar is widespread in folk clubs, but this is a feature of the folk revival. Without a true traditional style to emulate, a style of playing British folk music has developed which relies heavily on open tunings. That's not to say that standard tuning isn't also widely used.

With respect, Tonyteach1, your post did not ask about the advantages of DADGAD but commented that it seemed no more useful than other tunings. My point in reply was that all tunings have their strengths and weaknesses, and you have to pick the one that most suits the music you're trying to play.

The advantages of DADGAD is that it seems particularly suited to folk music, and perhaps expecially Irish music, for reasons which are set out above. In particular, the chord voicings seem to be particularly suited to tunes which are often modal (and let's not start another discussion about what "modal" means)

Personally I've never got on with DADGAD and prefer DADEAE (one of Carthy's tunings, although he's since developed it further)

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Stringsinger
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 11:38 AM

I have found that DADGAD tuning is interesting for the first fifteen minutes. It has distinctively harmonic limitations.

An interesting use of alternate tunings is David Crosby's "Guinivere". Does anyone know what that tuning is? Was it DADGAD?

My preference is for Pierre Bensusan who has explored this tuning to an art.

Even so, don't expect that tuning to fare well in the area of jazz,due to its inflexibility.

Joni Mitchell has come up with some interesting tunings also, probably her own and not DADGAD. "Micheal From Mountains" for example.

Here's another tuning to experiment with used to good results by acoustic jazz guitarists Karl Kress and Marty Grosz, Bb,F,C,G,B,D, the bottom four strings are like tenor banjo tuning and the top four (C-D) are like plectrum banjo tuning. This tuning uses the bass lines in chord progressions effectively.

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: Brian Peters
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 12:31 PM

"I have found that DADGAD tuning is interesting for the first fifteen minutes. It has distinctively harmonic limitations."

Well, it's held my interest for thirty years now - perhaps you should have stuck at it a bit longer. And what are "distinctively harmonic limitations"?

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: tonyteach1
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 01:02 PM

FAO Howard Jones - do not disagree with you about DADGAD but take issue on the British folk tradition and its use of guitars

Subject: RE: The pros and cons of DADGAD
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 01:14 PM

it does have distinctive harmonic limitations.
1. The inabilty to modulate easily to different keys,WHICH IS ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES OF STANDARD TUNING.
String singer is correct Bensusan is one of the few people who has explored Dadgad extensively.
the reason why Carthy hardly uses dadgad these days, but uses dadeae, or the c based variant of this.. is because it is less limited harmonically than dadgad, And because it allows the player more flexibilty key wise .
Another tuning which has less harmonic limitations than dadgad is orkney tuning, cgcgcd.
dadgad is not the only tuning suited to folk music, or especially irish music, that is just untrue, dadf#ad dgdgbd, dgdgcd, are all tunings that really suit[in the first 2] blues and all suit american 5 string banjo tunes.
irish tunes are very suited to dadeae[ that is why it is known as Irish tuning[check out paul de grae]
finally one of the finest irish gutarists arty mc glynn, uses dadgbe[ drop d], and proves it is eminently suitable for irish music, playing tunes and as well as rhythym.
Dick Gaughan[i believe used a tuning for coppers and brass which was based on the tenor banjo daddae]
Dadgad is ok but it does have certain limitations, in fact more limitations than some other open tunings, check out Martin Carthys opinion on this and martin simpson and nic jones.