How to Play in GDGD Open Tuning on the Mandolin

A mandolin’s standard tuning of GDAE facilitates easy melody playing. However, mandolin players occasionally retune to achieve the drones and double stops that contribute to the rich and distinctive sound of old-time fiddling.

GDGD Open Tuning for Mandolin

AEAE or GDGD are similar tunings used by old-time fiddlers. They are referred to as open A, A cross, open G, or G cross. Some may also call these sawmill tunings.

GDGD tuning is easier on a mandolin than AEAE. The tension exerted by the eight strings on a mandolin’s top, bridge, and neck is twice that of a fiddle’s four strings. This added tension makes raising the pitch of the courses risky.

Fortunately, the open GDGD tuning offers the same great sound as AEAE without the associated concerns, as musicians lower the top two strings rather than raise the bottom two. If they need to play in an alternate tuning that requires raising the pitch of one or two courses, they may first want to restring with a lighter gauge. Using a capo in GDGD tuning is another option.

Advantages of Playing Mandolin in Open GDGD Tuning

GDGD complements almost any traditional tune in the key of G. The lowest courses remain the same as in standard tuning, and melodies and licks are simply shifted up two frets on the highest pair of strings. Certain tunes in the key of D also work well in GDGD.

When a mandolin is tuned to GDGD, the melody can almost always be accompanied by the open string either above or below. Alternating this can add variety to a tune.

A ringing bass on the open low G string is the signature sound of this tuning. Vintage mandolins resonate particularly well in GDGD, but any mandolin is likely to sound fuller.

Perhaps the second biggest advantage of this tuning is the ease of altering a simple tune by playing it once on the treble courses and then repeating it an octave lower on the bass courses. When using the bass courses, the melody may need slight adjustments if the tune falls outside the mandolin’s range.

A fun technique borrowed from old-time fiddlers in this tuning is playing the same note on two strings simultaneously. To enhance this effect, players can bend one of the notes by sliding up to it until both courses are in unison. This typically involves playing the open G string along with the G on the fifth fret of the D string.

Another advantage of this tuning is the easy availability of octaves. Musicians can use their first two fingers to play the same melody note two strings apart with an open string in between.

Cross picking, slides, pull-offs, and hammer-ons sound particularly impressive when paired with the ringing drone of GDGD tuning. The ease of finding chords and embellishments can create an ideal opportunity for composition.

Disadvantages of GDGD Open Tuning

Adjusting to an alternate tuning can be challenging, especially when relearning a tune already known in standard fingering. It is advisable to experiment with an unfamiliar tune initially and then relearn tunes in the key of G to determine whether they sound better in the open tuning.

Alternate tunings can also slow players down at a jam, as it is impractical to retune eight strings between songs. Musicians who wish to remain in GDGD tuning but encounter a tune in another key may choose to tremolo the root of each chord for accompaniment. Another option is to bring a second mandolin tuned to standard tuning and switch between the two.

Tips for Chording with GDGD Open Mandolin Tuning

Basic one- and two-finger chords are easily accessible in this tuning. A G chord can be created by adding any open string to the melody. The B, or third, can be found on the fourth fret of both G strings and paired with the open D or the G on the fifth fret of the D strings.

A C chord can utilize the open G strings paired with the E on the second fret of the D strings. In a two-finger chord, the E can also be paired with a C on the fifth fret of the G strings.

The open D strings are useful in D chords, which can be paired with the A notes on the second frets of either G string. For a two-finger D chord, players can use an open D string along with an A on the second fret of a G string and the F# on the fourth fret of the other D string.

To hear the mandolin played in alternate tunings, musicians can check out Skip Gorman’s CD entitled *Mandolin in the Cow Camp*. Rather than using... Show More