Sound Advice: KT Tunstall - The Open Guitar Chord Technique

Scottish singer/songwriter KT Tunstall (‪@kttunstallofficial‬) is known around the world for her soulful voice and impeccable song craft. For today’s Sound Advice she talks through another key facet of her musicianship - a signature guitar technique that maximizes the use of open strings. In this video, you'll learn how to easily mute strings and create your own music using open chords.
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[@kellypidgeon4269]

KT and Alex Lifeson are two of the greats at employing open chording. It fills space beautifully when you're the only guitar or the only melody instrument. KT, you're a brilliant story teller. Thank you!

[@pandatv6261]

KT, I have used this lesson to show beginners that you don’t need to play barre chords. Thank you for doing this video, it’s one of the best guitar lessons on the internet. More please👍🏼

[@DailyNihilism]

when i watch top guitarists they never use barre chords. just the C shaped chords down the neck

[@edge1289]

I love the open string technique sound, thanks KT!

[@itwasnoteasy]

OMG ❤❤❤❤, that’s such a beautiful tip. At the end a sound is a sound it’s a matter of how you use these different sounds that you are able to produce and assemble them to suit your creativity. It took you only 5 mins to explain such an important thing in such a beautiful yet technical way. This could be a life changing video 🤩🤩

[@SteveJones172pilot]

This was amazing... I have loved KT Tunstall ever since I heard "black horse and the cherry tree" on "Kidz Bop" when my son was little. I heard that song, and there was something about it that made me seek her out and I've loved her ever since. I've heard those open chords on all her songs, and didn't know how to describe it like she does in this video, and here I was trying to attribute some kind of classical theory to it saying "What a brilliant chord - Who would put a flat 13th on that - it fits perfectly" or some such nonsense and now I know it was just because that's how she had to play with her "bony fingers" and was more of an accidental necessity!! Oh well - Whatever it is, I LOVE IT and am excited to see her perform live for the 4th time this Wednesday!!!

[@yricyric]

True sound advice and great general philosophy. It's good to know the rules but it's more fun to know how to break them! I've stumbled upon some of the same chord forms KT uses through trial and error myself. However it sounds totally different when I use them in my music. Thanks for reaffirming that , at least as far as art is concerned ( and lots of other things too), one size does not fit all.

[@meanocks]

genius is in the shape of kt, she really inspired me when i felt in a rut with my playing,felt i wasnt good enough or not playing right,then SHE came along.

[@kahlilbt]

Wow. Just helped me reframe my whole easy of thinking of myself. Thanks Kate. You're one of my top guitar/songwriting heroes

[@hansbuchi9623]

Thx for sharing this. I learned guitar playing the same way and keep struggling wiith barre chords same as you did. You gave me a new way to approach this issue.

[@jo_buchanan]

Amazing KT. Love to hear you talk about the different notes you play in your own way that suit you but also sound bloody awesome. Love it. ❤️

[@danpepperell5692]

Love KT's sound. And, great advice.

[@josephr.lejeune4539]

You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you for sharing your way of playing. It’s encouraging and revealing at the same time. And sweet. Thank you for brightening my day!

[@denyel_]

well i wish i had this video 15 tears ago haha learned kt by ear PAINSTAKINGLY for years before i had internet i cant wait to hear what this generations music sounds like with all this access to info straight from their rockstars

[@snug40pip]

You’re absolutely amazing! God bless and love from Colorado

[@tonyf2346]

Thank you, fantastic to see you at Buxton Opera House, you and the band were amazing

[@Yipcanjo]

Thank you, KT! This was actually really inspirational to me... cause I can never seem to play a bar chord and have it sound right (to my ears). I just going to embrace what sounds best to my ears, rather than being technically proficient.

[@borisparkerflv]

Perfect way to go your own way! Totally admirable!!! My admiration for you Kt!

[@ThePanchomack]

Awesome ❤ Really liked the end where you put your limitings as a source for creativity and to sound unique

[@defariase]

Great advice form a great singer-songwriter and absolutely delightful performer. Love your songs, love your singing and love your playing. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@MichaelChurch-pl7rl]

Genius, so inspiring

[@ejphood]

Thank you

[@stevemorano9317]

Thanks for the Video KT wishing you a Happy Christmas 🎄🎸

[@mrsgsfoodscience7346]

This is so ace! I cant play barr chords as i have stubby short fingers. I feel like i have been freed to play songs i couldnt do well before!

[@richardewlliams9864]

I'm been in the same boat, playing my way, on my 1973 Dove like yours starting at the age of 14, now at the age of 70 same style, same Dove and a good life. KT,,, come back to Tulsa Oklahoma soon. GRINS

[@noodlesiis]

Too many beautifuls here.. KT obviously, Gibson Acoustic, and beautifully demonstrated in a beautiful setting. Thanks to the Beautiful KT..

[@ahtech1990]

Yup, the imperfections make the player.

[@karinarecch]

LOve Love LOve this! thank from my heart KT

[@Karaokejax]

Brilliant advice. We have a similar outlook. I only learn what I need to together the job done. 😊

[@jeanpierreverdant7115]

Kt... Est vraiment simple... Pas frimeuse... Et elle 1000%raison...la technique n'est pas tout ce qui compte c'est d'arriver à exprimer ce que l'on désire... Vraiment une artiste et mine de rien... Quel jeu de guitare et quelles chansons superbes elle compose... Une grande vraiment 😍🎸

[@mortenjohansen5781]

Really good advice, thank you.

[@WileECoyotey]

I am digging the new look !

[@CraigsFilm]

Yeah, awesome advice/lesson! Thanks a lot!

[@RinkySharma5]

Can anybody tell me which song she's playing at the end of the video please?

[@dianekarloff]

Love this!!

[@dukeofearl4117]

KT, you’re awesome. Would you make a music book showing your open chords. I don’t have classical music training so it’d take me forever to figure out these chords. I’m 75 and I don’t have much time left.

[@lifewithleroypig4195]

So great! Thank you

[@joannadeaguiar6997]

Thank you KT for this amazing vid! I find electric guitars better for my small hands, sometimes i feel guitars are not made for all women because of the size of the neck. I also learned guitar by myself, and had piano lessons so i get exactly what u said! Btw, i would use the thumbs also, so much easier than the other way, thank u for sharing!👏👏👏😉

[@MrDrewseph]

This is a notable video for being one of the rare times KT actually plays Barre chords Such a wild thing to see

[@LexMulderX]

*I L❤VE HER!!!* 💖💓💕🎶😃🎶💕💓💖 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO. 💖💓💕🙌💕💓💖

[@andrewboland1062]

Thanks KT, I always feel like if I don't play the Barre chords the exact way People point it out the Barre hurts my hand a lot and I struggle trying to do E, D and so on in a C Major Barre Chord because you need 4 fingers for that and my pinky finger is weak to play on the A string if I'm playing an E or D in C Major Barred form. I know people are crazy about technique and it having to play it a certain way but I think a lot of the time technique limits creativity too.

[@JavenarchX]

KIN is a brillaint album girl!!!

[@kevinswierzbiolek4966]

If it sounds good, it is good. I use theory as a guide not an absolute.

[@jameslowther772]

Great guitar 🎸 teacher I’m still trying to learn guitar

[@drewsacks]

Hi KT, that's such a simple breakdown. I've been experimenting with similar open strings doing what they do. I have a question (request:)..... I LOVE your version of Boys of Summer. Can you offer any tips as to how you played it.... even one tip would be So appreciated. Thanks! (ps..... it's on acoustic)

[@drewsacks]

Update..... I've watched the Old Vinyl Factory vid. I think it gave me an idea in terms of chord structure. It's that combined with your finger picking style that creates the magic. Not sure my finger picking is up to that level..... but I guess I'll try a sort of hybrid or something. .....

[@rosekuhel2907]

I like it!

[@Swoop180]

"When I was about 50," (Cartoonish screech sound)! WOW! I never would have thunk it😂 She's doing something right!

[@foxyjazzbopper]

Brill👌👌👌

[@Diz2013]

Nice one KT it's a great way of getting around those pesky bar chords. Alternate tunings like open G or DadGad help to get around this too. X

[@andygardiner5431]

This is exactly how i play, i love the open strings ringing

[@Steggman]

Life lesson #1 right there. (also works for guitar playing ;) )

[@tudormiller887]

I ❤️ you Kate. Watching from London.

[@FlatlandMando]

If you describe your guitar playing as " scrappy", then I like scrappy.

[@Jacktors]

I am a drummer. I just wish she explained what an open chord is . Any how this is great advice. Use your imperfection to sound different as long as it sounds good. Don’t matter how you make it sound different and good as long as it does. Like Keith Moon did. I want to develop a signature sound on drums. I have good rhythm . And KT you are rhythm personified!!! You are not a “rock star “ you are a “ rock musician artist “ thanks for being so humble and passing on your knowledge to use. Peace be with you girl!

[@MrDiddyDee]

It's just KT's own word for what she does. You're either fretting a note (holding down a string at some point along the fretboard, or you are leaving it 'open' (the string is ringing out without any finger touching it). The standard tuning for guitar from lowest pitched string (thickest) to highest pitched string (the thinnest) is E-A-D-G-B-e (also called the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings), so those are the standard tuning open strings. What KT is doing is playing chord shapes that have one or more open strings in there somewhere. For an example of how a conventional chord shape vs. an 'open' one sound, here's a C#m7...Using the conventional barre chord version it would be the index finger across all strings at the 4th fret with the other notes added using middle and ring fingers, and not playing the bottom E string (x47454). An open version would be (x46600) much easier on the fingers using the index on the 5th string and ring and little fingers for the other notes, and it has more sustain with those two higher unfretted strings ringing out.

[@Jacktors]

@@MrDiddyDee wow thanks 🙏 Mr Diddley Dee. You just enlightened me so much. Say hi to KT for me. Awesome stuff bro!!

[@onceamoth]

Ain't she lovely!

[@MrPeter924]

Great sounds music playing guitar 🎸. Live stream KZbin channel

[@Johnny_Doe]

She is a great rhythm player and a master of the loop pedal. I wish she would play her Gibson Doves (natural, ebony or white) more often. I get she smashed the crap out of all of them to get the beats for her loop pedal, but she needs to get them all fixed and retire her mirror Taylor she is currently using most of the time.

[@terenzo50]

You can see John Lennon using his thumb instead of barre chords in plenty of Beatles footage.

[@epiphoney]

Oh I thought she was going to talk about open chord tunings like The Rolling Stones.

[@jeffhunt2778]

"Too cool for School."

[@Jacktors]

President Trump is a big fan of yours

[@adammurphy208]

She's a bully

[@victortristani2052]

There’s a certain “je ne sais quoi” about KT that makes her enormously likable as a person.