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View Poll Results: Can it be a good idea to start a new guitar learner out with DADGAD? | |||
No, by default learners should start with Standard tuning | 52 | 78.79% | |
Sure, so long as the learner understands DADGAD is a niche tuning, and enjoys how it sounds | 9 | 13.64% | |
DADGAD is a good way to start a learner regardless of their eventual intended style | 1 | 1.52% | |
I'd start a beginner off on an Alternate tuning, but one other than DADGAD (please specify in post) | 4 | 6.06% | |
Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1
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DADGAD instead of Standard for a beginner?
Like a scattering of folks here, though I taught myself to play in Standard tuning (with a Beatles fakebook when I was 13), since discovering DADGAD I rarely play in Standard anymore. A lot of what I play is in the general "folk" style, big on drones, and I'm not bothered by limited key flexibility (or just capo up). A bit less commonly, I mainly play DADGAD on nylon-strung guitar.
Given an aspiring guitar learner with similar musical tastes to mine, and not particularly into jazz, classical, etc. genres, would starting out on DADGAD from the get-go be so bad of an idea? It has a lot of relatively simple chord formations, is easy to harmonize between strings when fingerpicking, and just generally could get a beginner sounding better, faster. We've had a few threads on this in past years (thread on DGBDGB for newbies), but not a recent, specific thread. Personally I'd vote that so long as the beginner has heard and enjoyed DADGAD playing, and is aware that it's not a direct route to playing more cromatic genres, it could be a really interesting way to define one's sound from the start. I'm posting a poll up with this, and would be curious to hear others' input. When posting, it'd help too if you could mention, whether favoring them for beginners or not, if you yourself play some/much alternate tunings. |
#2
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There's nothing wrong with playing DADGAD as your main tuning (I do) but it's not considered "standard" for a number of (good) reasons.
I think standard tuning should be an integral part of any guitar player's toolbox, as it's the one tuning that offers the most possibilities. DADGAD remains an alternate tuning because there's a number of otherwise simple chords that cannot be easily played on it. Also, the benefits that arise from using DADGAD (phrasing, harmony, etc) mostly apply to advanced players. Beginners need to learn the basics. Droning around with open tunings is cool but quickly becomes self limiting -- both to the audience and the player. |
#3
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Interesting poll - I like it. I voted for standard tuning. I think it would make it easier for the student to play with other people (some folks don't know alternate tunings) and jam with others.
Most of the resources are based on standard tuning and I think it would benefit a new student more. |
#4
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Unless you never intend to play with (or for) other people, you are much better learning to play a standard tuned guitar, assuming you have aspirations of playing any normal/standard Western (as opposed to Eastern or Polynesian or Asian) music.
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#5
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I vote for standard for a beginner - one should get the basics down. You know, the whole walk before you run thing. At some point one crosses the line where just playing notes turns into making music, and then one can begin to explore other tunings.
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#6
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Quote:
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |
#7
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I voted for "other" alternate tuning...when students want to play metal especially, I opt for Drop-D. Most of the open chord shapes are the same (save for E, Em, E7, etc.) but it's an easy way to learn power chords. Other than that, standard.
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---Rob Martin GPC 11E Guild CV-1 Gibson L-00 Studio Gretsch Jim Dandy Fishman Loudbox Mini |
#8
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Doug, I take this opportunity to say that I'm big fan of your playing. I first heard of you through guitar reviews and appreciated how you always played the right tunes -- and played them beautifully. |
#9
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020000 (Gadd9/D) and just tell them it's "G". 1 finger. Or 5x0400 to get the root in there, 2 fingers. Or get rid of the 9th with 5x0450, still pretty easy. The muted 5th string will just happen, hard not to do it! Quote:
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar Last edited by Doug Young; 03-31-2012 at 06:31 PM. |
#10
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Nope. Open G yes. you bar across the strings you got a nice major. A 7th can be made with one finger on the 1st string from there. DADGAD is awesome but nothing is more beginner friendly than open G if you have the right mindset.
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators |
#11
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Barreing of course is one of the toughest things for a beginner. But I agree open G would a a good choice.
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar |
#12
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It depends on what style of music they want to play. Celtic music, for example, is played mostly in DADGAD and similar tunings. So...if the style you are interested in played in DADGAD, why learn Standard?
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Teton STS205CENT Alvarez AD-410 "Tranquilidad" Ibanez M522SBS F-style mandolin My Soundcloud Profile My Bandcamp Profile Behind the Feather Curtain (personal blog) |
#13
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Obviously, standard (which I voted for) will maximize the possibilities for a newbie, but I try to be committed to maintaining the students' interest first and foremost. Whatever makes them want to learn, and stick with it, is OK by me- in that case, the material dictates the style/tuning. It's worked for me so far.
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#14
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DADGAD has a unique and beautiful sound, perfect for the styles you decribe...
As for DADAGAD, can't wait to get my hands on a 7 string and try it! |
#15
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I have recently begun teaching teachers how to play guitar and use music to teach across the curriculum for Guitars In The Classroom GITC teaches in open G, Taro Patch, tuning. I've been playing since the 60s, taught private and group lessons on and off for decades, but always started with standard tuning. It is absolutely amazing to see and hear these folks play. We've had four classes so far and they're playing (and writing new words to songs, you should hear the one a teacher wrote on test taking strategies to Hole In The Bucket...but I digress...) lots of songs, making great progress, and having fun. Prior to this experience I was solidly in the standard tuning field. That's not the case now. (The program has several levels of classes and yes, it does transition to standard tuning but that's not where it starts.)
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