Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play rhythm and lead using the alternate tuning called “DADGAD”. Even though it’s a different tuning, you’ll still be able to use a lot of the scale patterns you already know.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - For Premium Members
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Slow Walkthrough - Rhythm
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Slow Walkthrough - Lead
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Video Tablature Breakdown
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
You need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets.
Learn MoreAdd to "My Favorites"
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
Thanks.
A full rich sounding tuning. Very pleasing to the ear Brian.
Sounds very interesting – not major or minor right? Thanks Brian
Recently I tried to play in this type of tuning and just couldn’t seem to make sense of it but this lesson has really crystallised a lot for me. I never thought of applying the patterns in the way that you have demonstrated. Another big light bulb moment!
I’m with you Phil, new fave here!
Very enjoyable and interesting lesson, thanks Brain.
wow Brian great lesson love alternative turnings Jimmy Page uses it with Zeppelin cheers
I like some of the dissonance sounds that can be created with this type of tuning, very spacey.
Its also fun to play in standard tuning over top of the rhythm track.
Thanks again.
Very cool Brian. Thanks! I Really appreciate the effort you put into this.
Do you know of any Artists or maybe a few Songs that use this DADGAD tuning?
Paul
I had the same thought, and found Tony McManus on YouTube. He has music as well as a few videos of instruction on DADGAD.
I recommend Roy Harper’s “One Man Rock and Roll Band” from his Stormcock album in 1971..
https://youtu.be/-_78CXyKkEo
I am a little late in commenting, as I have been on vacation, but this is a really fun lesson and I love DADGAD tuning! To answer your immediate question, here are some of the more famous songs on DADGAD tuning:
– Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
– Black Mountain Side – Led Zeppelin
– Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars
– Photograph – Ed Sheeran
– Salamander – Jethro Tull
I knew several chords and licks in DADGAD before this lesson, but I picked up several chord voicings, licks, scales and runs from this lesson. Really fun and well done!
Great lesson Brian. As you said, the alternate tuning is a great way to get out of a rut. I’m having a blast just playing around with the rhythm part. Thanks,
Question; Do patterns 1-5 correspond to CAGED? Sry if this is a dumb question but I don’t know.
Thanks
Great Lesson. Always great to get out of standard tuning to get the creative juices flowing. I usually go to open D which is very similar, but good to go to DADGAD for change.
Read this comment somewhere and it made me laugh:
“Drop D tuning is when you make the bottom string go Eeeeeeeooooooooooow.”
Yes,very interesting.Now one can play with little changes,dadgad,open D,openE /Capo),Thanks
Yes very Interesting,Now one can play dadgad,openD and OpenE(Capo) with little changes.Thanks
Brian this lesson is great! More like this PLEASE!
Love the sound of open tunings; so full and resonate. Eye opening Lesson , Thanks Brian.
Just to let you know…I like that, very much, warm thanks
Nice! Sincere thanks for the inspiration.
Unexpected bonus for me arrived while following part 2 today and taking the advice to just play around with the open chord by fretting single strings, then two strings, etc. I paused the video and went way off-road, finally dropping right into Planxty’s “Arthur McBride”, a song (and band) I really love. I was never able to get it sounding right in standard tuning. That totally made my day.
I have a lot to learn about DADGAD, this is a great place to start. I need to get some I-IV-V chords under my fingers as well as the licks and scales.
klingt gut Grüße aus Wien
The Doobie Bros (Patrick Simmons) do some of their album acoustic instrumental songs in this tuning and it sounds great. Very rich and appealing. Easy on the ear.
For me this is an unusual setting .
DADGAD was originally played by British guitarist Davey Graham in the 1960s.
Since then, it has become Standard tuning for many UK and Irish folk musicians.
French finger style virtuoso Pierre Bensusan now uses this tuning exclusively
It is said that all Lowden Guitars are shipped in this tuning!
It’s interesting to hear Brian’s take on this tuning.
I always learn from another point of view here. thank you Brian..
Yes Peter, looking for your comment. If you love the sounds of Celtic Guitar, playing in DADGAD is a must. Love Richard Thompson from Fairport Convention, and he plays more than a few recognizable tunes he wrote in DAGAD.
NOt sure I can get too much of this tuning to stick but Brian gives me something to think about when he plays lead using first position major pentatonic scale for middle strings that are still in standard tuning but then moving that position up two frets for strings 1 and 2 which provide the marvelous chiming quality of this tuning.
Thanks
Brian, I have always loved the open ringing sound of harmonized octaves. Been having a lot of fun playing around with this tuning. Would be an interesting challenge for your students to create some of their own tunes and hear what they can do.
Great lesson. Same shapes I’ve been playing for decades, but amazing voicings I’d never have found without the DADGAD tuning.
Great Lesson; Made me think of song Blame by cs/ws1999′ Plays. I think weird tunning. this could be it; (becasue if you watch lead near end of song he play G. A & D). Sorry for song reference.
sorry, I am wrong on this tunning.
Lovely!
Hi Brian, just discovered this lesson and love the sound of this tuning. You’ve opened me up to a whole new guitar world to explore and would welcome more lessons that utilize this tuning.
Thanks, Bob
Where could I learn to play almost solely in dadgad even with other players in standard? Also I am assuming that the same shapes would work with a cut capo( maybe a couple of lessons on cut capo)?