Open G tuning question.

[Johnny K]

If I tune my resonator to open G and capo at 2nd fret, Do I have an open A tuning? I know this a dumb question and I should know better, but I'm just checking. My new jam needs some acoustic slide and it's in the key of A.

[Mooh]

Yes, you are correct.

[Johnny K]

Thank you kind sir or madam. You have permission to take the rest of the day off.

[rick-slo]

That is true however there are differences.

For example open G tuned as D-G-D-G-B-D

Open A tuned as A-C#-E-A-C#-E

Open A via open G as above capoed second fret will be E-A-E-A-C#-E


Puts the root note on the fifth string rather than the sixth, etc.. Whether
significant or not is debatable.

[Johnny K]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

That is true however there are differences.

For example open G tuned as D-G-D-G-B-D

Open A tuned as A-C#-E-A-C#-E

Open A via open G as above capoed second fret will be E-A-E-A-C#-E


Puts the root note on the fifth string rather than the sixth, etc.. Whether
significant or note is debatable.

Thanks, I knew there was an open A. I'll Try both ways and see what works best.

[saxonblue]

Originally Posted by Johnny K

Thanks, I knew there was an open A. I'll Try both ways and see what works best.

You may have some challenging string tension issues if you tune up to that open A without changing to lighter gauge strings.

I'd be inclined to go with the first option.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by saxonblue

You may have some challenging string tension issues if you tune up to that open A without changing to lighter gauge strings.

I'd be inclined to go with the first option.

That is very true and personally I would not tune strings up to that high of tension.

You could take an open C tuning and tune down three half steps which would give you A-E-A-E-A-C# Might even sound better with slide guitar music.

[Doug Young]

This is the problem with names, which aren't always clear. There are lots of ways to tune to an "open A", so you have to ask what people mean. I'd usually take it to mean the guitar is tuned the same way as a first position A chord, so

E A E A C# E

that is, tune the middle three strings up a whole step. This is the same as open G, capo II. But there are obviously different ways to get A C# and E on the open strings, and you've gotten some alternatives here. Searching the web also shows several different interpretations of "Open A". Check out wikipedia, for example, with 4 different ways: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...tunings#Open_A

So the main question is what do you want? If you're trying to play someone else's tune, how did they tune?