Alternate Tunings

Above, you'll notice a few tunings other than drop and open tunings. Here is an explaination:

• Modal tunings allow a guitarist to play chords that are neither minor or major. The chords are relatively easy to play with these tunings and allow the sound from the guitar to easily match a minor or major key.
• Nashville tuning is standard EADGBE tuning except it requires different strings. How to tune to nashville tuning: Buy a 12-string set of guitar strings, string the standard first two strings on the guitar and tune them as you normally would to standard E and B. The lower four strings on the guitar (G through low E) tune an octave higher above standard tuning using the octave thin strings you pulled from the 12 string set (So it is still EADGBE but the lower four strings are an octave higher). Why do people use nashville tuning? It sounds more brilliant and has that 12-string guitar shimmer without the 12-string guitar.

Many guitarists prefer to change to an alternate tuning because it can help create a more unique sound. Alternate tuning is simply tuning the guitar to any other tuning other than standard tuning - which is EADGBE. In rock music, it is very common to use alternate tunings, specifically drop tunings. Drop tuning allows the guitarist to play power chords using a single finger on the lowest three strings. Generally speaking, if you're going for a drop tuning, the lower you go, the more smiles you'll get from fellow guitarists for being able to pull it off.

Some alternate tunings require the use of different weight strings in order to handle tension better and lessen fret noise. In addition, string height may need to be adjusted as well. Hence, one reason to use multiple guitars during a rock concert (The Edge from U2, typically uses about 14 while on tour).