Scott Ainslie: An Introduction to Open D Tuning

This is a 10:44 excerpt from a 25-minute lesson on Open Major Tunings for guitar. The full lesson with pdf documents with TAB and Standard Notation for Open D [D-A-D-F#-A-D], Open G [D-G-D-G-B-D], and Open C [C-G-C-G-C--E] is available for Patreon subscribers at / scottainslie where all content is available to all subscribers for a minimum donation of $5/month. Higher tithes are available and help keep the entry to the community open to those who cannot afford more. That's how I want it to remain if at all possible.

[@sideman7117]

I’ve flirted around with open tunings for several years but never got any traction until I saw this lesson. Apparently, I was barking up the wrong tree. Bravo!

[@scottainslie]

I played particular arrangements in these tunings for years without really understanding them. It was breaking them down for myself and explaining their symmetries to students that opened the door for me. I'm glad it was useful. Thanks. You can support this sort of work at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie everyone gets access to everything with a minimum $5 donation. Happy to be of service.

[@drj.r.cooper2493]

EXCELLENT! Too many instructors feel the need to "impress" ppl with terminology and detailed (yawn) discussions of harmonics, etc. But YOU understand! Tell ppl what they NEED to know & what they WANT to know. Then, show us where to place our digits & the general mechanics of playing... that "impresses" me. Thank you! I shall return!

[@scottainslie]

Why thank you, Doctor. More at our Patreon site, Patreon.com/ScottAinslie, just $5 minimum for all access.

[@drj.r.cooper2493]

@@scottainslieI'll definitely check out your patreon site. ALSO let me offer 2 untapped markets...(EASY $$) My father was a contemporary of Chet Atkins but post WW2 hechose not to "be an entertainer". (He was VERY good.) My brothers and I at all play the guitar, BUT...1 has cancer and can't chord (pain/nerve damage due to chemo & radiation). I also have trouble chording after nerve damage from an auto accident. 🤔 Offer this same video/course, emphasizing "easy" chording for injured, handicapped, disabled &/or arthritic people!?

[@scottainslie]

@@drj.r.cooper2493 Good Dr...thanks for this. I always start people in open tunings, sometimes with just one string fretting. This focuses them on their right hand, which is critical and often overlooked by beginners and experienced players alike. The fretting hand changes the pitches; the right hand/playing hand MAKES the sound. It is making sound that we all long to do. A little time woodshedding the right hand is always good. Thanks for the suggestion. I have worked with people with physical limitations and am always looking for ways to help the make the sounds they want to make and can make. All the best, s.

[@wayne9977]

Wow! You're great at exposing what some of us would call the obvious but had missed by a mile. Thanks for the trail marker.

[@scottainslie]

Yeah: I missed it, too. Until I had to teach it and explain it to myself…cheers, s.

[@OldMike1958]

Hello. Until now I played in Open G. I am a self-taught amateur and I didn't dare to change to Open D. I did it after watching this video and the sweetness of the chords convinced me. Thank you very much for sharing so much knowledge in such an easy-to-apply way, because I see your video with the guitar in my hands, Thanks again. Big hug from Argentina.

[@scottainslie]

Buena suerte, hermano. Many thank, s.

[@seanmolloy9297]

Holy Crap!!! Everything you need in a single ten minute video...I mean, it's all right there! Thank you! I'll be back in a year for lesson two.

[@scottainslie]

Sean: you cheered me up. All the best (fine Irish name there), s.

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

Scott it's wonderful to see you and hear you playing guitar now for 15 years… for me. You don't age as they used to say it's Saturday Night Live. God bless you. I always learn something when I watch you🙏.

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Raymond. For your good company. s.

[@stephen285]

you are a good man Charley Brown

[@BernieHollandMusic]

I've been playing for 60 years - I already know all this stuff - but what I didn't know was what a beautiful human being you are - healing us in our isolation xxx

[@scottainslie]

Bernie: Thank you for this. We all are doing the best that we can to get through. I, like every musician I know, struggle to continue to feel useful. I'm grateful for the platform, and for your good company. Cheers, s.

[@BernieHollandMusic]

@@scottainslie "Struggle to continue to feel useful?" Well, my friend, just read all the comments from so many who are so grateful to you - how beautiful is that ! 😊

[@scottainslie]

@@BernieHollandMusic It is nourishing and wonderful, which is exactly why I wrote you back. Very little, it turns out, goes without saying...cheers, s

[@normalartproject]

this is the most helpful and functional overview i’ve seen!! so excited to play. :-)

[@scottainslie]

How wonderful to feel useful while still in the grips of the pandemic. Thank you!

[@graemethorne4540]

Fantastic thanks for sharing .I learnt so much from this tutorial.

[@scottainslie]

Welcome, Graem, and thanks for commenting. The other major tunings and pdf documents are available at http//Patreon.com/ScottAinslie. $5/month for access to everything…no hierarchy!

[@carlbowden4712]

best explanation of the open D fretboard around

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Carl. s.

[@jamesmonahan1870]

Wonderful video. 😊 JOANN (OPEN TUNING)(C)2006 and GOODBYE (C)2006 were both recorded using OPEN D TUNING.

[@aljohnson3010]

for a long time i have wondered about your version of hard times come again no more .......now i get it many thanks Scott ,this is magic.

[@scottainslie]

Al: Wonderful news to me, Al. Many thanks....s.

[@willysunday]

Very nicely done! Thanks for your expertise Scott

[@anthonyclegg1511]

I play 90. Percent in open D. it's a beautiful tuning. Thanks for this. ❤️🎸.Scott.

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Anthony. It is nice to see just how the tunings work, isn't it? Wonderful sounds.

[@megabyatt]

What a great presentation and very informative, thank you.

[@scottainslie]

You are welcome. I’m happy you found the work. Do share it with others. It is helpful..

[@marcelloleoni]

Magnifica spiegazione. Grazie per la pubblicazione 😎🙏

[@jazzsongsinger]

This checked all the right boxes for me, Scott. Thanks so much for posting it.

[@scottainslie]

You bet…

[@mariomortara7286]

Very beautiful sounding guitar! Wonderful lesson, now I must practice.

[@scottainslie]

Mario: I am glad you are finding these videos and going happily off to play guitar. It cheers my soul.

[@krzychaczu]

This tuning resonates with my soul! Thank you for inspiring me to play a guitar again!

[@scottainslie]

Wonderful!

[@jeffballard7631]

This is so refreshing and interesting. Thank you!

[@scottainslie]

Thanks..s.

[@johnrisko7750]

Super helpful! Thanks for helping unlock this tuning and the possibilities.

[@scottainslie]

Cheers, glad the teaching works…

[@stephen285]

bottomless pit of possibilities - very grateful to you!!

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Stephen. My best wishes, s.

[@Shichman]

Thanks for making this so easy to understand. Very helpful!

[@scottainslie]

wonderful....glad to be of use...s.

[@g.jernigan4545]

very easily understood. thank you for such clarity.

[@scottainslie]

You are most welcome. Glad to be useful to you.

[@shimano10100]

Thankyou Scott.Very helpfull video. Your teaching is very easy to understand.

[@scottainslie]

Glad it was useful!

[@ericsfreshfishmarket5560]

This is really straightforward, to the point, clearly stated and demonstrated, and relatively easy to follow; and that means, Helpful: Thank you!

[@scottainslie]

Thank you for finding it. This is an excerpt on the longer video, but the points made here hold across the major key open tunings. Join us.

[@PeterYelda]

Very well done....I really enjoyed this!

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Peter. Glad to be helpful…s.

[@normandodson5079]

This is a very helpful video. Great summary of the chord progressions. Thanks.

[@scottainslie]

Thank you, Norman. It is an excerpt from a video on three different major open tunings, replete with pdf notation documents at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@kate.sessionsivelive6244]

I really love watching your video. You are so talented. God bless!

[@scottainslie]

Kate, many thanks. But, you know talent is 90% discipline. Whatever skill you admire, and I’m deeply grateful that you wrote, has been hard won over more than half a century of concerted (!) effort. A certain aptitude may come in the deck you are given, the rest is applied attention, open to all. Thank you for finding this and being moved to respond. All the best, s.

[@rickgold6664]

This is worth watching over n over again. It's a lot of information, just takes a bit to digest it into the memory! 😂 Appreciate your time and effort! 👍🏻

[@scottainslie]

So glad it is useful. I played in this tuning for years before breaking it down and understanding it. I hope to shorten that time for you and others. All the best, s. CattailMusic.com

[@terryswails1191]

It's like having Willie Nelson teach you, thank you Sir. Beautiful informative video. I'm a new fan

[@scottainslie]

Could have been worse: could have looked like Bush, or Trump…

[@samcunningham4276]

so glad this showed up in my recommended ! just when I wanted to learn more about open D tuning. ask and I shall receive 😊

[@scottainslie]

Amazing serendipity, right? How do they know????

[@TeriScheinzeit]

HEY Scott! Teri here from SummerSongs. Wonderful video on Open D tuning. LOVED it. Sending all my best.

[@scottainslie]

Teri: How good to hear from you. Thanks. And I'm delighted it is useful to you. I wish someone had told me this when I was new to the tunings. The other major tunings are doped out on our Patreon page, but this gives you the tools you need without a tithe being involved. My pleasure to be useful in these grim and dark times...Chin up. Best wishes, s.

[@stephenpeterclark]

Brilliant lesson! Many thanks!

[@scottainslie]

Thanks for the comment Stephen. You can extrapolate these forms and principles into the other major key open tunings. More on my Patreon pages, $5/min/month for all access, month-by-month commitment. No contracts. All are welcome.

[@terrykoch3111]

wow! thx for that beautiful intro to open D chord melody!

[@scottainslie]

Thank you, Terry. This is an excerpt of a video covering major tunings, and an example of the teaching videos I have been building to survive in a world where people no longer buy music and touring became impossible. Only $5/mo. For all access. Http://Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@jayclement17]

This is timely, Sensei. Thanks for helping me get my fingers and brain around Open D. Robin has helped me with DADGAD, and now I have the other main D family tuning on the way.

[@scottainslie]

Having struggled with the hiss in the sound for days, I gave up. I have solved it for future videos, but simply could not get rid of it and decided to let the teaching be the teaching on this one. Future videos will be better lit and sound better, too. Chess pieces and gear continue to be moved on the board!

[@dank454]

Loved that thanks

[@dennishohmann5532]

This Video is so good I enjoyed watching listening and even if I dont get These shapes im now motivated to go further

[@scottainslie]

Dennis: There are fingerboard maps with these figures available at my Patreon pages (Patreon.com/ScottAinslie) and at my site: cattailmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/open_tunings.pdf . Good luck playing with them. You will love the sound! All the best, s.

[@santaniello7]

Beautiful ... that was so good to listen to 👍

[@scottainslie]

Thank you, Hassan. Open tunings need not be a mystery. They are a very good way to begin on the guitar...s.

[@enzodowling3629]

Really enjoyed listening & learning Thanks ❤

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Enzo. Glad you found it useful!

[@anarchohippie3000]

This was nice and cozy, I will have a lot of fun with this, thanks! :)

[@scottainslie]

Enjoy having the guitar in your lap. It makes the world more livable and for some survivable….s.

[@aguco100]

Great tutorial Scott. Muchas gracias!!

[@scottainslie]

De nada! Mucho gusto, José!

[@seenonyt2210]

Very good lesson, thank you so much sir! I've watched a few on Open D in other channels, but this one is probably the most practical and enlightening for me. Thanks again and best wishes!

[@scottainslie]

Glad it serves you, and nice to know it stacks up to others. All the best, s.

[@seenonyt2210]

@@scottainslie Thank you!

[@cinders1413]

Really enjoyed this thank you

[@scottainslie]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tyapca7]

It's soooo beautiful,... thanks!

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Peter. Glad you liked this…cheers, s.

[@LiaGridley]

Thank you so much! This really helped my guitar skills :)

[@scottainslie]

You are welcome. Glad to be useful. There is more at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@petehannon7685]

Beautiful - your guitar sounds very nice. I'm going to watch the next video of yours to hear that resonator!! :D

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Pete. Froggy Bottom acoustic and my 1931 National Style O..a pawnshop find back in 1991!

[@jimstrummer5688]

I went to see you twice when you toured in Ireland back in (I think) 2000. Learned so much just watching you play, and fell in love with Robert Johnson all over again. Thank you, sir, for that and for this.

[@scottainslie]

Ah, Jim: Ronnie Crutchley and Michael Beatie helped organize that run and better friends no man has. I'm delighted to hear from you and remember those men and that time. It was lifesaving for me in too many ways and I still am a member (in absentia) of Ronnie's family and happily so. All the best, and thanks for the note here. Did me good.

[@jimstrummer5688]

@@scottainslie I don't know Michael Beatie, but Ronnie is sadly missed on the local music scene here. Good to see you looking hale and hearty. Stay well. Jim

[@scottainslie]

@@jimstrummer5688 Missed here, too. Quite unexpectedly, I was able to join the family for the scattering of the last of Ronnie's ashes where he played (and was often 'lost') as a young boy and play my version of Amazing Grace (slide guitar, open G or A tuning). His son Michael called us just as we were getting settled in the country to ask if, since Ronnie loved music so much, I might come and join them to play a tune. The entire scene still lives in my heart and memory, and there was a killer barbecue following, which my stepson still talks about!

[@jhp6370]

That was fantastic, I followed right up to about 4.40, clear as day, but have had a couple of beers lol, I'll come back tomorrow.. Brilliant tho!,

[@ambroseharper8316]

Beautiful. Thank-you

[@scottainslie]

Ambrose: you are most welcome! s.

[@a.s.v4261]

Gracias por este magnífico video explicativo de esta afinación, y por la musicalidad puesta en cada nota! Saludos desde Madrid 😉✨✨✨✨✨✨👏

[@scottainslie]

Gracias, amigo. Felicidades de Vermont, USA

[@jamesparsons1192]

Great stuff... and relatively easy! Thank you.

[@scottainslie]

Thanks again, James. You seem to have fallen down the rabbit hole in my KZbin Alice in Wonderland world. I hope you'll find more things of value and have a grand day.

[@jamesparsons1192]

@@scottainslie Indeed, I love your playing (and singing). I am going to see if you have a CD out... one of those old-fashioned formats.

[@scottainslie]

@@jamesparsons1192 CattailMusic.com is our site. Many thanks…

[@rzambory2938]

Well done Sir !! TY !!!

[@scottainslie]

You are welcome!

[@dr_davidmd2065]

BRILLIANT 🙏🏻

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, David. Glad it was useful. The best thing for the natural depression that comes with this pandemic seems to be to serve somebody. I’m grateful for the comment. Cheers, s.

[@MrVarron]

This Video ist Gold 🌞

[@scottainslie]

Happy to have been of use. More at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@Earlydoors272]

Very helpful thx 🙏🏻 😊

[@scottainslie]

My pleasure. Play on!

[@dtee06]

Wow Thank You

[@scottainslie]

You are most welcome, additional parallel lessons on open-G (or A) and open C are at out Patreon page: Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@johncrowe1509]

nice relaxed class

[@scottainslie]

Thank you, John. I hope it was useful. Pass the word...Patreon.com/ScottAinslie

[@AwareLife]

Finding much about the versatility of Open D. Thank you. For hand related reasons I find standard tuning too difficult to do smoothly. I think I'll stick with Open D. I already can make lovely tunes, and you have made it even better.

[@scottainslie]

I always start a student off in open tuning, often D, as the key note is available on the lowest string. Standard tuning’s wonderful flexibility is predicated on a very steep learning curve, mental and, more, physical. Early success hooks musicians. Glad it is useful.

[@vieuxbouc2900]

Great lesson thank you !

[@scottainslie]

Est-ce que ca "vachement chouette"? Vieux bouc?

[@vieuxbouc2900]

@@scottainslie Oui ça va vachement chouette ..Salutations du Québec.

[@scottainslie]

@@vieuxbouc2900 merci bien. A Paris, 1977…the cowly owl w as the thing: salut, mon frere…s.

[@mauricesoudre5102]

@@scottainslie 1977 ,j'avais 27 ans maintenant 72 ans..

[@scottainslie]

@@mauricesoudre5102 Bon. 70 ici. Merci.

[@GretschProf]

Very cool.

[@scottainslie]

Glad you liked it. More things like it at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie. All access: $5/month, not time commitment...

[@BurninSven1]

Thanks for sharing supercool playing. I would skip the thumb and finger picks and play just with thumb and fingers with equally much nail and skin.

[@scottainslie]

I play bare-fingered a lot, but have long performed with finger picks. It's a toss-up in some ways, though fingerprints do slow one down whereas the fingerpicks and thumb pick slip off the strings more readily lending both volume and speed. After playing bare-fingered for most of the pandemic, unamplified, I have a great appreciation for both what finger picks give, and what the take away. Thanks for the compliment and observation. All is well. s.

[@joeshea1010]

Thank you. Very nice presentation! Problem with open D for me, playing trad tunes, is playing anything in the key of C...unless tuning down a whole step...any thoughts?

[@scottainslie]

I also play in Open C: a tuning I learned from a field recording of Emmett Murray, a Florida blues musician. CGCGCE

[@gibby6904]

Thank you for this video! That Froggy Bottom is one awesome guitar......

[@scottainslie]

Yes. The Frogs are truly wonderful. I hope you'll enjoy exploring Open D and the other major tunings...recyclable guitar knowledge is the best!

[@wildmustang33]

Thanks you... just opened the world of open D tuning. do you have anything on easy scales in D?

[@scottainslie]

Well, go looking for the notes: D E F# G A B C# and you will find them all over the place. I don't have scalic studies in open D, but you could (and will profit) by building your own. Make a map of the fingerboard and label every D, every E, etc. Hope that is helpful. So glad that this was....s.

[@davidsap2485]

Long time no see. I hope your doing well. Best regards David

[@scottainslie]

And you, too, David. We’re chins above water. The Patreon archive of material like this has helped…s.

[@derrickking9491]

I have been inspired to try open D tuning. Been playing nearly 40 years, but never really tried open tuning. I have a beautiful Martin D28 (sun burst top) sitting in the case not doing anything (mostly playing my Larrive'e 12 string!) May give it a shot. What guitar are you play in the video?

[@scottainslie]

The instrument is a Froggy Bottom guitar, their Gibson-inspired Model K. It is hard to put it down… s.

[@umamah8meumamah8me5]

Good job on the explaination...What brand guitar are you playing, if I may ask...I don't recognize the logo...

[@scottainslie]

This is a six year old Froggy Bottom Model K, red spruce top and Brazilian stump wood recovered from trees harvested in the 1940s-50s.

[@davidforsyth389]

I do some of that Mexican thing but after your excellent video I now know what I’m playing 😮 thank you thank you

[@scottainslie]

Wonderful. A misspent youth, of course, then middle age...and now....s.

[@igorigosta]

Great

[@scottainslie]

Thank you, Igor. I hope you will enjoy exploring these tunings.

[@martinmehaudy9043]

Amazing! Just one doubt, what do the empty circles mean (e.g.: at 4:58 , empty circles at 1st, 2nd and 4th strings for minor chords)?

[@scottainslie]

Remember that you have three D strings (6, 4, 1); two A strings (5, 2) and only one F# (the third string and conveniently the 3rd of the chord in this tuning). So the open circles represent other note choices within the chord. Try them out and you'll hear what each permutation gives you. So long as the third string/3rd of the chord is where it belongs---say for an F#m, at the 3rd fret, then any string can be fretted in the 4th fret along with it (although it only really becomes an F#m when one of the D strings is fretted there). Let me know if that helps.

[@martinmehaudy9043]

@@scottainslie thank you very much, plus what a quick reply! Will definitely try, this video feels like a revelation for playing in Open D. Great work! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷! Looking forward to try tango and "folclore" (local folklore) with this new toy.

[@scottainslie]

@@martinmehaudy9043 Our fond regards to the people of Argentina. I think you will find lots of room for Folclore, an d you may really need a movable diminished chord form on four adjacent strings for the tangos. Remember that three strings are all that are needed in a closed form and four is a luxury. You needn't play all six! That was a great revelation to me as a young guitarist 50 years ago...

[@Viktor.73]

Великолепно 🎶 👍 💯

[@scottainslie]

Best wishes…s.

[@johnbowskill6740]

love the lesson thank you, i have just started playing, does anyone no how to get the tab for hard times ?

[@scottainslie]

There are many versions of that tune…s

[@johnbowskill6740]

@@scottainslie Thank you will see if i can find one in open d

[@scottainslie]

@@johnbowskill6740 My version, recorded in open E (parallel to open D, capo at two if need be) can be heard and seen at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6KlYYJrm8iIa5I. It utilizes all the sort of shapes and forms profiled here. I expect you'll be able to sort it out phrase by phrase with the help of the video above....s.

[@johnbowskill6740]

@@scottainslie Thank you, keep well and safe always, i am 70 and just starting the guitar

[@scottainslie]

@@johnbowskill6740 I'm just behind you: September will bring the beginning of my 70s (8th decade). And let me know how it goes. If I can be helpful, I will be. The guitar is very fine company, as you know now. It will not lie to you. It will give you what you give it in more than equal measure. Best wishes, sir. s.

[@rexfurlong5108]

If Wild Bill Wichrowski (from "Deadliest Catch") and Willie Nelson had a son..............behold. I give you Scott Ainslie!

[@scottainslie]

That's a hoot. Willie, at least, has me by twenty years, so I could conceivably be a son...I used to joke that "there was this waitress in Nevada, but...well..he's never really acknowledged me..." But. of course, that's jive: and Willie deserves all the respect we can muster: A fine man first, songwriter, and musician....s.

[@ludocross16]

👍😊👌

[@alexdeevmsc]

yes, I founded it !

[@garysamenfeld5483]

sounds like it might work for Blackbird?

[@scottainslie]

Blackbird is based on intervals of a tenth (an octave plus the third), skipping over two strings will get you into the right sort of ball park, but McCartney played in standard out of the key of G…

[@davidc1334]

Just causually playing on froggy bottom. Definitely know its my kind of video

[@scottainslie]

Michael Millard, Froggy Bottom founder and guiding light is arguably my best friend. I built this guitar next to him, terrified at every step, every operation was new to me, the wood, irreplaceable. He clearly could teach a chimpanzee to build a world class guitar. It is now seven years old. Still loving it…s.

[@Disco.Wizard]

This man really looks like Roky Erikson in his later years

[@scottainslie]

Who??

[@MohammedSinghar]

You resemble Will Gaines, sir

[@scottainslie]

I don't know who that is, but I assume he's a handsome dude...right?

[@MohammedSinghar]

@@scottainslie totally, will gaines was from a movie called "Rush", 1992. Will Gaines was the antagonist, played by Gregg Allman. Fantastic movie.