I've decided to start a series on alternative tunings. I'd like to explore some tunings beyond the typical SRV Eb dropped tuning or the Drop D or Drop C# heard in some metal.

I'm starting this series off with the Lute Tuning.

In this tuning, only one string is changed, the G is dropped a half step to F#. Back in the Elizabethan times this was the standard tuning with lutes and other stringed instruments that were the forerunner of the modern acoustic guitar. Today, one is likely to hear this tuning used by Renaissance revivalists with classical guitars.

The scale tones created by this tuning are

I tried out this tuning and recorded a little bit to demo it. The first part is a strum over the open strings and the second part is a little 'A' fingering barre chord vamp. The chord is a major seventh but the way it's barred gives it a little different flavor.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions about the Lute Tuning and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

Posted by j_frank_carr at 10:59 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 9 June 2007 10:40 AM EDT

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