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Question about scales, tunings

On my first 4 string here, I'm trying to play in open D, so I've got

That f# makes for nice open major chords, but is a half-step low for playing open on that string in a D blues scale:

|---G---G#--A---|---|---C---|---D

D---|---|---F---|---G---G#--A---|

A---|---|---C---|---D---|---|---F

D---|---|---F---|---G---G#--A---|

Do people usually just work around this, or match a different key to the tuning (like B, which would use all open strings in Open D Major tuning), or use a different open tuning for blues? (swap open D tuning and D minor blues scales for whatever else, I'm just referring to open D because that is what works with the strings I have on it now)

It's not like I NEED to have that open string in key, but I find I play with more flow when all open strings are options.

Thanks for whatever you can add

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on September 1, 2010 at 3:27pm

There are 3 basic open tuning
Using the 8 tones from the major scale they are:
Spanish (commonly played in open G) 515135
Vestapol (commonly played in open D) 151351
Open C (no fancy name) 151513

You are playing in open c tuning but in the key of D 1513 (DADf#)
I very rarely use this tuning, but it is very interesting.
I string and tune in open G (Dgbd)
If I want to play in open D, I just re-tune Df#ad
Please check out my instructional video CD5 (How to Play 4 string CBG) if you would like a comprehensive study of this approach.
http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...
I hope this helps. Please feel free to write if I can be of further assistance. Enjoy, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Fitzhugh on September 1, 2010 at 6:40pm

Keni Lee, thanks for helping out. Odd that open C is the name of a set of intervals, isn't it? I'm tuned that way simply because that was the intervals I found when I first saw when googling open tunings and it's only in that key because the neck is just 19 inches. It's shipping off as a gift shortly and I'm starting a replacement with a full size neck tomorrow for myself. Those lowe cones sound so good!

I'll try the other tunings on for size. Funny you should mention CD5, I was wondering which of your CDs I should get first, and I've just been waiting for the 1st and a paycheck - That was today :)

Forgot to hit post, and tried spanish tuning as you said. It seems so close together, not a bad thing, just unfamiliar (compared to my not long exposure to Open C tuning, that is). Off to buy some CDs.
I took a handful of years of guitar lessons and never managed to learn the theory to a practical degree - AND that was some 15 years ago. I read where you described learning the theory and therefor being able to actually play. It just makes sense - at this point I'd rather take the time than just learn some patterns and jam them together by luck and spit. I'll pm you to follow up.

Keni Lee Burgess said:

There are 3 basic open tuning
Using the 8 tones from the major scale they are:
Spanish (commonly played in open G) 515135
Vestapol (commonly played in open D) 151351
Open C (no fancy name) 151513

You are playing in open c tuning but in the key of D 1513 (DADf#)
I very rarely use this tuning, but it is very interesting.
I string and tune in open G (Dgbd)
If I want to play in open D, I just re-tune Df#ad
Please check out my instructional video CD5 (How to Play 4 string CBG) if you would like a comprehensive study of this approach.
http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...
I hope this helps. Please feel free to write if I can be of further assistance. Enjoy, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on September 2, 2010 at 4:10am

Of course, using the Open C intervals you can restring and tune to any key you like. I think because you can tune to any of the 3 basic open tuning from standard tuning (and stringing), they became the most popular used variations.
Learning music theory as you learn musical technique makes a lot of sense to me. Just focusing on learning song after song, and not understanding how it all works, gets old quick.
I think you will clearly understand the approach once you view the lessons.
It is really about experimenting. Seeing what you can do with the information and taking it beyond the lesson.
All the tunings are related. If you stare at them together, you will see the interval patterns are shifting. On CD 3, I compare Open D and G to fully explain this relationship . By extension, this understand can also include open C tuning. Once you understand the relationships, moving from tuning to tuning is very easy.
Regardless, I fully explore the fingerboard for open G on CD 2, 3, 4 and 5. If you like, once you understand it, you can do the same exploration for Open C.
Because the intervals are different from open tuning to open tuning, the same song can get arranged in a totally different way.
I am never bored musically.
Thank you.
Enjoy, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Fitzhugh on September 2, 2010 at 9:48am

I ordered CDs 5 and 1 last night. After I've mastered what I can there I'll get your suggestions on which to try next. thank you

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on September 3, 2010 at 1:11am

Thank you for your purchase. I think you will be pleased to discover that my course is quite comprehensive and will give you insight to exploring further yourself with confidence.
The first three CDs are taught using 6 string, but once you understand the concept of cutting these tunings in half by using 3 (CD4) or 4 (CD5) string CBGs, all the material is applicable.
Furthermore, the 3 basic open tunings (Vestapol CD1, Spanish CD2, and Open C) are related (CD3). At first they appear different, but once you see their relationship, it is easy to move your ideas from one tuning to the other. Because the string relations are the same, but moved to different locations, the different tunings allow for creative arranging.
This will all become clear in the lessons.
Enjoy.