Open D vs. Open G

[Allman_Fan]

I've never played much with open tunings and I just started with open D.

I don't understand why someone would play in open G instead of open D. I'm not trying to pick a fight as to which is better, I'm thinking I may be missing something. It appears to me you trade the high root(1) note (open D) and replace it with a low 5th (open G). < Seems like a bad trade to me. ;) >

What's value is the low 5th? Do you use this like the bass line of a country music song where you alternate form 1 to 5? But you already have a 5 above the root, do you alternate between these (like: 1, low 5, 1, high 5)? If so, is there a classic, traditional song that illustrates this?

I know that Keith Richards some times takes his bottom string off because strumming a chord with a non root note as the lowest note sometime sounds . . . different, let's say.

The reason I ask this question, is that I have another guitar (other than the open D guitar) and I'm trying to decide if I want to keep it in open G or Spanish.

[Howard Emerson]

I've never played much with open tunings and I just started with open D.

I don't understand why someone would play in open G instead of open D. I'm not trying to pick a fight as to which is better, I'm thinking I may be missing something. It appears to me you trade the high root(1) note (open D) and replace it with a low 5th (open G). < Seems like a bad trade to me. ;) >

What's value is the low 5th? Do you use this like the bass line of a country music song where you alternate form 1 to 5? But you already have a 5 above the root, do you alternate between these (like: 1, low 5, 1, high 5)? If so, is there a classic, traditional song that illustrates this?

I know that Keith Richards some times takes his bottom string off because strumming a chord with a non root note as the lowest note sometime sounds . . . different, let's say.

The reason I ask this question, is that I have another guitar (other than the open D guitar) and I'm trying to decide if I want to keep it in open G or Spanish.

A-Fan,
It's easier to demonstrate than explain, so go here:

http://www.howardemerson.com/videos.html

Now, in order:
Flirty Skirt- open D
Mystery Train- open G, but played cross-tuned off the V chord
Keep Walkin- open G
Crazy Mama-dropped D, so does not apply to your question
Phelp's Flats-open G
Light in The Distance- open G, but played cross-tuned off the IV chord
A Tale to Tell- open G
Crossing Crystal Lake- open D, but played cross-tuned off the V chord
Wake Up Mary- open G w/low C, but played off the IV chord
The Bells of Tina's Kitchen- Open C, probably does not apply to your question.
Marcelita- Open D

I think you'll see more possibilities than you ever considered.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Regards,
Howard
http://www.howardemerson.com/lessons.html

[Allman_Fan]

(For discussion sake, disregard the capo)
When you say, "open G, but played cross-tuned off the V chord" do you mean the song is in the key of D? (I'm at work/cubeland and I really can't get a good listen.)

"I think you'll see more possibilities than you ever considered."

I think just considering the words above about the cross tuning has opened my eyes.

You made up my mind: 1 acoustic in G, 1 acoustic in D, solid body electric in . . . D. No spanish for now. (You can see I'm lazy about re-tuning the guitars!)

[Howard Emerson]

(For discussion sake, disregard the capo)
When you say, "open G, but played cross-tuned off the V chord" do you mean the song is in the key of D? (I'm at work/cubeland and I really can't get a good listen.)

"I think you'll see more possibilities than you ever considered."

I think just considering the words above about the cross tuning has opened my eyes.

You made up my mind: 1 acoustic in G, 1 acoustic in D, solid body electric in . . . D. No spanish for now. (You can see I'm lazy about re-tuning the guitars!)

Hey Fan,
Yes, you're correct about disregarding the capo! If not, then it's in F#, but you knew that.

After you're home and can listen, you'll 'see' a lot more possibilities.......

Of course seeing as you're an Allman fan, then you should be in standard tuning, right? Isn't that what Duane played in most of the time?

HE

[Fran Guidry]

Having the tonic at the fifth fret of the first string is a good thing, not a bad. Being able to slide in and out of the tonic from either direction gives a lot of options for expressive phrasing.

The fifth string generally has a stronger voice than the sixth on most guitars I've tried, so putting the tonic there works quite well.

Open D does not offer a strong alternate for the V chord bass, while open G gives a lot of options for alternating bass on the I and V.

The G is a very satisfactory bass note for the IV chord and supports a strong first position voicing of the IV.

Ledward Kaapana and Ozzie Kotani and Ray Kane and Sonny Chillingworth all play (or played) in open G <grin>.

Fran