Battle of the Irish guitar tunings: EADGBE (standard) VS Drop D VS DADGAD - Which is best?

[@diegooland1261]

I had a music teacher who specialized in Celtic music refuse to give me lessons because I was tuned in DADGAD. I do agree DADGAD starts to sound like DADGAD after a while. Being obsessed with gear, I got around this issue by getting a second guitar. One is in standard and is my go-to, the other in DADGAD. I can mix things up mid set by switching guitars.

[@folkfriend]

Wow, that's a bit drastic! I agree that it's difficult to prevent yourself from falling into the "like all the other DADGAD players" sound, but it can certainly be done and I think it has great merit for fingerstyle. On the other hand five years ago I would have said DADGAD was the devil incarnate so maybe I've just been infected by DADGAD spores haha

[@Melvorgazh]

I would also have said that DADGAD suits fingerstyle best.

[@rw4170]

Thanks, Nye. Very informative and am enjoying your videos.

[@folkfriend]

No problem, glad you're enjoying them!

[@Azimuth7]

There is one physical advantage of DADGAD tuning. Since its a lower tune, the pressure of the strings on the board is lower. Its better for the strings and the instrument time life.

[@briandwi2504]

Very informative discussion on tunings. Thanks Nye!

[@folkfriend]

No problem Brian! I might go back and have a look at some of the less common ones some time soon.

[@torekholm9542]

What about tuning down standard a whole step to DGCFAD? Or even 5 half steps so you would get your "G" open shape as a sounding D? Obviously with thicker strings.

[@WmTyndale]

The solution is simple: Use a hammer when you need a hammer and a driver when you need to fasten. Use the right tuning for the tune. Each key adds its own harmonics and hence flavor to the music. Just like an organ is different from a guitar which is different from an electric guitar. Some celtic tunes just do not come out sounding 'deep' in standard. The more tools a carpenter is skilled at using the better the carpenter.

[@southerncomfortuk]

Brilliant explanation 👍

[@folkfriend]

Thank you!

[@Melvorgazh]

There is also the Orkney tuning? I once tried the Sitar-tuning. Interesting. I must try it again. Hi, Nye! Matt Heaton says they all have their pros and cons. I would says standard tuning is better if one plays tunes in different keys/modes in the same set. Unless one got a wizard capo. Trying to improve my Drop-D knowledge though. It also depends it it’s backing or flatpicking.

[@GoatFelon]

I love Orkney tuning! It is absolutely brilliant for fingerstyle arrangements, but I don't think it is as convenient for accompaniment/strumming

[@folkfriend]

What are the strings on that one Isaac?

[@GoatFelon]

@@folkfriend Orkney tuning is CGDGCD. It is a really beautiful tuning for fingerstyle arrangements (Check out Stephen Wake for some brilliant examples). It doesn't seem like it is as well suited for fully strummed chords/accompaniment, but I am not very experienced in that field. I'm sure it's doable for some guitarists! Cheers for the great video :)

[@folkfriend]

@@GoatFelon ah I see! I actually have a book about that tuning on my desk at the moment which one of my students lent me but I haven't had a chance to look through it yet. Sounds like fun though :)

[@Melvorgazh]

@@GoatFelon Alright, thanks. I don't even know well how it sounds. Who plays in that uncommon tuning and goes on Geantraí or records Irish trad albums? Cheers. 🙂

[@Melvorgazh]

And DADGAE is also used at all? Or DADGBD? I remember when I tried the DADGAD I had to do some finger stretching shapes 😹 I might try it again. Any flapicking player use that amongst Nye’s channel subscribed folks?

[@Melvorgazh]

Me again. Oops. Which standard-tuning guitar player who recorded album in Irish or Celtic trad are there? Would love to study their styles :) Excellent video 😉👍🏻

[@folkfriend]

Dennis Cahill, Peerie Willie Johnson, Tim Edey (sometimes), Steve Cooney (sometimes)... Those are my favourites anyway :)

[@Melvorgazh]

@@folkfriend Peer Willie Johnson? Never heard of him yet. My mad. I feel awefull. Shannon Heaton mentioned to me Dennis Scahill. So far Matt Heaton is the most inspiring to me. Olive the craic and smile in Tim Eddy's music. He looks like a kid sometimes. Such a sweet man ☺️

[@shanemackinnonmusic]

Check out Jenn Butterworth. Scottish Trad guitarist who plays in standard tuning. The videos with her and Fiddle player Ryan Young are worth a watch. Find them on here. Cheers

[@Melvorgazh]

@@shanemackinnonmusic Ah?! She plays in standard? I didn’t notice yet. I discovered her a few weeks ago. I really like her. She is a skilled and elegant flatpicker too :)

[@Melvorgazh]

Hi again, mate. I was just re watching your 2 videos, the one for backing in D Aolian and the one for A Dorian with my new second hand Anker SoundCore pro + Bluetooth speaker 😼. Sound much nicer than just the smartphone speakers. I am glad how you improved your presentation over the years. Looks quite pro now. I was wondering. I am looking for a notbreakingtheBank headphone to work on video collaboration over the Internet. I like Pioneer, I heard Sennheiser and Kiss are good too, and maybe Samson are a good bargain. Would you have by any chance any recommendation? Something bellow 85 euros, second hand possibly or new. Have a nice weekend, Nye 😉

[@folkfriend]

Yeah I rate Sennheisers! Also the cheaper AKG models or if you're really on a budget Sonys are great value.

[@folkfriend]

I believe for monitoring purposes the AKGs are the best on a budget.

[@Melvorgazh]

@@folkfriend Ah, I don’t know that brand at all but this evening I just saw one on a second hand advert in Belgium :) Thanks 🙏🏻 Diolch yn fawr

[@folkfriend]

Dim problem!

[@majorstoner9620]

drop tunings are great for fingerpicking but ive been to lots of sessions where people have been struming in dadgad every tune it just becomes a bore in my opinion in should be used now and again but thats just me

[@folkfriend]

Yes I totally agree, I tend to avoid it for accompaniment myself but it's nice in small doses so long as you don't just play the same thing for every tune and move the capo around!

[@Melvorgazh]

No long Live video yesterday then, Nye?

[@folkfriend]

No afraid not, the KZbin streaming service didn't seem to be working properly! I'll be re-running the topic (all about the mixolydian mode) next Friday.

[@Melvorgazh]

Drop-D Cheat Sheet? The link doesn’t appear on the screen. At least not on my iOS YT app. She have to search

[@folkfriend]

Yeah I got the name wrong actually, it's called Drop D lesson for beginners or something like that :)

[@Melvorgazh]

@@folkfriend thanks. I might already have watched it. But it surely is a keeper 🙂