Getting Started With…Dadgad Tuning

Get some basics covered with TG’s lesson on this staple altered tuning

“Another altered tuning this month then…”

We’re looking at DADGAD here, a fairly easy tuning to understand because, unlike drop D or open G, its name tells you the notes you’ll be tuning to – which is pretty handy! You’ll be changing your standard tuned guitar’s strings (E, A, D, G, B and E notes from the lowest note to the highest) to D, A, D, G, A and D.

“Why not just stick to standard tuning?”

It’s all about experimenting. Changing your guitar’s tuning means all those chord shapes you spent hours learning have new sounds. Jamming around shapes you already know is an easy route to creative playing, so, if you need inspiration, just give DADGAD a go.