I have been playing in open tunings since the 1980s. At first having no understanding of music theory, they appeared to be a vast wasteland that did not yield much bounty. Of course, this is far from the truth. It is all there, but I could not see it.

Currently, I am fasinated by the reduction of the traditional 6 string tunings down to the essential 3 notes that make up a major chord. (A Major Triad contains the 1,3,5 tones from the Major Scale). The very heart of open tuning.

Using a 3 string CBG, I am exploring the triad stacked low to high, 5 1 3 in the key of D (ADf#)

As I will demonstrate in my new series of lessons that a whole system of moveable chords is easily made based on three major chord "shapes" that take their name from a root note on each string. What appears is the same chord, but in three different locations with the 3 notes stacked in a different order (inversions). Although these chords contain the same notes, having the notes stacked in different orders produces a unique "voice" for each chord. This is an important option in arranging.

Examining the 3 traditional open tunings for 6 string guitar, it is possible to see the various options to apply a knowledge of triads

Open D: DADf#ad 1(513)51 15(135)1 151(351) 3 inversions

Open G: DGDgbd 51(513)5 515(135) 2 inversions

Open C: CGCgce 151(513) 1 inversion

Looking above it is possible to see that by understanding a system of movable chords based on a 513 triad this information can be directly applied to all 3 tunings. The fingering will be the same, but the chord names will change due to the differnece of the original tuning key. This information clearifies the relative nature of the 3 basic open tunings.

Additionally, exploring the other inversions (135 and 351) and discovering the system of moveable chords that they create, offers even more possibilities for arranging.