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Section VI: Summary of Non-Recorded Tunings
Section VI: Summary of Non-Recorded Tunings
(Note: In this section, chords are followed by a letter and number that correspond to the individual chord's location in Section IVa: Chart of Recorded Tunings.)
When experimenting with these tunings, it will be helpful to refer to Seciton IVa: Chart of Recorded Tunings and work from those to the tunings in this section. Occasionally tunings from Section IV: Summary of Recorded Tunings are included here for reference.
An asterisk (*) indicates the two tunings listed together are the same except that the two lowest pitched strings are reversed in pitch and tuned up or down.
Related tunings are grouped together.
G Tunings
G Major Tunings - Tunings that are a Major chord or that contain a major chord on the top pitched strings.
| 1. |
D-G-B-D-B-D |
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| 2. |
D-G-B-G-B-D |
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| 3. |
C-G-B-G-B-D |
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G Wahine Tunings - Tunings that are a Major 7th chord or that contain the Major 7th Note.
Tunings #1 and #2 below are related to two G Wahine Tunings in the Section IV - Chart of Recorded Tunings: #G4 (D-G-D-F#-B-D) and #G5 (D-G-D-F#-B-E).
| 1. |
C-G-D-F#-B-E |
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| 2. |
C-G-D-F#-B-D |
|
| 3. |
D-G-D-F#-A-D |
Could be called Triple Slack Tuning. Can also be played in the key of D. (Also see Tuning #D2 in the D Major tuning section.) |
| 4. |
D-G-B-F#-B-D |
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| 5. |
C-G-B-F#-B-D |
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G Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with the 2 top-pitched strings tuned a 5th interval apart.
| 1. |
D-G-D-D-A-E |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of F, making this tuning the same as F Mauna Loa Tuning #7 (C-F-C-C-G-D), and which makes this tuning related to C Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (C-G-D-G-A-E). |
| 2. |
C-G-D-D-A-E |
Can be tuned up as high as the key of F, making this tuning the same as F Mauna Loa Tuning #5 (Bb-F-C-C-G-D). |
| 3. |
D-G-D-G-A-E |
Sometimes tuned down as low as the key of F, making this tuning the same as F Mauna Loa Tuning #18 (C-F-C-F-G-D). |
| 4. |
C-G-D-G-A-E* |
Can also be played effectively in the key of C, making this tuning the same as C Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (C-G-D-G-A-E). Sometimes tuned down as low as the key of F (and Bb), making it the same as F Mauna Loa Tuning #9 (Bb-F-C-F-G-D). This tuning is similar to Tuning #5 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 5. |
G-C-D-G-A-E* |
Can also be played effectively in the key of C, making this tuning the same as C Mauna Loa Tuning #2 (G-C-D-G-A-E). Sometimes tuned down as low as the key of F (and Bb), making this tuning the same as F Mauna Loa Tuning #20 (F-Bb-C-F-G-D) and Bb Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (F-Bb-C-F-G-D). This tuning is similar to Tuning #4 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 6. |
C-G-D-D-G-D |
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| 7. |
D-G-B-D-G-D |
|
| 8. |
G-D-B-D-G-D |
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| 9. |
D-G-D-G-F#-C# |
Can also be played effectively in the key of G. This tuning is related to a G Mauna Loa Tuning on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings: #G8 (D-G-D-G-G-D). |
G Miscellaneous Tunings
| 1. |
G-B-D-F-A-C |
Can be played solo effectively also in the key of C. This is a common Hawaiian steel guitar tuning, usually tuned to B-D#-F#-A-C#-E, and called B9th Tuning by steel guitarists. |
| 2. |
D-G-D-E-G-G |
Called Jacintho's 12 String Tuning. |
| 3. |
G-G-B-F-B-E (or G-G-D-F-B-E ) |
Could be called Moses' Unusual Tuning(s), since they were invented by slack key guitarist Moses Kahumoku. |
C Tunings
C Major Tunings - Tunings that are a Major chord or that contain a major chord on the top pitched strings.
| 1. |
D-G-C-G-C-E |
This tuning is related to two C Major Tunings on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings: #C3 (C-G-C-G-C-E) and #C4 (F-G-C-G-C-E). |
| 2. |
C-G-E-G-C-D* |
This tuning is similar to Tuning #3 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
G-C-E-G-C-D* |
Sometimes tuned down to the key of Bb, which makes this tuning the same as Bb Major Tuning #1 (F-Bb-D-F-Bb-C). This tuning is similar to Tuning #2 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 4. |
C-G-C-E-G-C |
Usually tuned up as high as the key of D, which make this tuning is the same as #D1 (D-A-D-F#-A-D) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
| 5. |
C-G-C-E-C-E |
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| 6. |
C-G-E-G-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #7 in this section, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 7. |
G-C-E-G-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #6 in this section, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 8. |
F-C-E-G-C-D |
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| 9. |
D-C-E-G-C-D |
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C Wahine Tunings - Tunings that are a Major 7th chord or that contain the Major 7th note.
C Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with the 2 top-pitched strings tuned a 5th interval apart.
C Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with 2 successive strings tuned a 4th interval apart, with the 6th note of the scale as the lower pitch, and the 2nd note as the higher pitch.
Tunings #1, #2 and #3 below are related to a C Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tuning on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings: #C24 (C-G-D-G-A-D).
C Miscellaneous Tunings
| 1. |
C-G-D-G-C-D* |
This tuning is similar to Tuning #2 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 2. |
G-C-D-G-C-D* |
Sometimes tuned down to the key of Bb, which makes this tuning the same as Bb Miscellaneous Tuning #1 (F-Bb-C-F-Bb-C). This tuning is similar to Tuning #1 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
F-C-D-G-C-D |
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| 4. |
D-C-D-G-C-D |
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| 5. |
C-G-C-G-A-C |
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D Tunings
D Major Tunings - Tunings that are a Major chord or that contain a Major chord on the top pitched strings.
D Wahine Tunings - Tunings that are a Major 7th chord or a tuning that contains the Major 7th note.
D Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with the 2 top-pitched strings tuned a 5th interval apart.
D Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with 2 successive strings tuned a 4th interval apart, with the 6th note of the scale as the lower pitch and the 2nd note as the higher pitch.
D Miscellaneous Tunings
F Tunings
F Major Tunings - Tunings that are a Major chord or that contain a major chord on the top pitched strings.
| 1. |
C-F-C-F-A-F
|
|
| 2. |
Bb-F-C-F-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #3 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
F-Bb-C-F-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #2 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 4. |
C-F-C-C-A-F |
|
| 5. |
Bb-F-C-C-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #6 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 6. |
F-Bb-C-C-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #5 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 7. |
F-C-F-A-C-F |
Usually tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as #D1 Major Tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
| 8. |
F-C-F-A-C-D |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Major Tuning #1 (D-A-D-F#-A-B). |
| 9. |
C-F-C-A-C-D |
|
| 10. |
Bb-F-C-A-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #11 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 11. |
F-Bb-C-A-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #10 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 12. |
C-F-C-F-A-D |
Can also be tuned up the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as #G15 Miscellaneous Tuning (D-G-D-G-B-E) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
F Wahine Tunings - Tunings that are a Major 7th chord or that contain the Major 7th Note.
(Note: Tunings that are both Wahine and Mauna Loa are listed two sections below.)
| 1. |
Bb-F-C-G-C-E* |
Similar to Tuning #2 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 2. |
F-Bb-C-G-C-E* |
Similar to Tuning #1 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
F-C-F-G-C-E |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #1 (D-A-D-E-A-C#). |
| 4. |
Bb-C-F-G-C-E |
|
| 5. |
Bb-F-C-F-C-E* |
Similar to Tuning #6 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 6. |
F-Bb-C-F-C-E* |
Similar to Tuning #5 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 7. |
C-F-C-F-C-E |
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| 8. |
F-C-E-A-C-D |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #2 (D-A-C#-E-A-C#). |
| 9. |
F-C-E-G-A-D |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #4 (D-A-C#-E-F#-B). |
| 10. |
F-C-E-G-C-D |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #5 (D-A-C#-E-A-B). |
| 11. |
Bb-C-F-A-C-E |
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| 12. |
F-Bb-C-A-C-E |
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| 13. |
F-C-F-A-C-E |
Usually tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning (#D4: D-A-D-F#-A-C#) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
| 14. |
F-C-D-G-C-E |
This tuning is both Wahine and Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa (See Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tuning #1.) Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #7 (D-A-B-E-A-C#), which is the same as D Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tuning #1. |
F Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with the 2 top-pitched strings tuned a 5th interval apart.
(Note: Tunings that are both Wahine and Mauna Loa are listed in the next section below)
| 1. |
Bb-F-C-G-G-D* |
Similar to Tuning #2 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 2. |
F-Bb-C-G-G-D* |
Similar to Tuning #1 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
C-F-C-G-G-D |
|
| 4. |
F-C-F-G-G-D |
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| 5. |
Bb-F-C-C-G-D* |
Can also be tuned up the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning #2 (C-G-D-D-A-E). This tuning similar to Tuning #6 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 6. |
F-Bb-C-C-G-D* |
Similar to Tuning #5 in this section, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 7. |
C-F-C-C-G-D |
Can be tuned up as high as the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (D-G-D-D-A-E) with the guitar tuned down to the key of F. |
| 8. |
C-F-C-F-G-D |
Can be tuned up to the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning #3 (D-G-D-G-A-E), which makes this tuning related to C Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (C-G-D-G-A-E). |
| 9. |
Bb-F-C-F-G-D* |
Can be played solo effectively in the key of Bb. Can also be tuned up to the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as C Mauna Loa Tuning #1 (C-G-D-G-A-E). This tuning is similar to Tuning #10 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 10. |
F-Bb-C-F-G-D* |
Can be tuned up to the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning #5 (G-C-D-G-A-E) and C Mauna Loa Tuning #2. This tuning is similar to Tuning #9 above with the two lowest bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 11. |
C-F-C-C-F-C |
Can also be tuned up to the key of G, which makes this tuning the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning (G6: D-G-D-D-G-D) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
| 12. |
C-F-C-F-F-C |
Usually tuned up to the key of G, which makes this tuning is the same as G Mauna Loa Tuning #7 (D-G-B-D-G-D). |
F Tunings That Are Both Wahine and Mauna Loa
| 1. |
C-F-C-G-A-E |
|
| 2. |
Bb-F-C-G-A-E* |
Similar to Tuning #3 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
F-Bb-C-G-A-E* |
Similar to Tuning #2 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 4. |
F-C-F-G-A-E |
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| 5. |
C-F-C-C-A-E |
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| 6. |
F-C-F-C-A-E |
|
| 7. |
Bb-F-C-C-A-E* |
Similar to Tuning #8 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 8. |
F-Bb-C-C-A-E* |
Similar to Tuning #7 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 9. |
F-C-E-G-A-E |
Can be tuned down as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Wahine Tuning #6 (D-A-C#-E-F#-C#) and D Mauna Loa Tuning #3. |
| 10. |
C-F-C-F-A-E |
This tuning is related to two F Wahine/Mauna Loa Tunings on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings: #F5 (F-Bb-C-F-A-E) and #F6 (Bb-F-C-F-A-E). |
F Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with 2 successive strings tuned a 4th interval apart, with the 6th note of the scale as the lower pitch, and the 2nd note as the higher pitch.
F Miscellaneous Tunings
| 1. |
C-F-C-G-C-F |
|
| 2. |
Bb-F-C-G-C-F* |
Similar to Tuning #3 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 3. |
F-Bb-C-G-C-F* |
Similar to Tuning #2 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 4. |
C-F-C-G-C-C |
|
| 5. |
Bb-F-C-G-C-C* |
Similar to Tuning #6 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 6. |
F-Bb-C-G-C-C* |
Similar to Tuning #5 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 7. |
C-F-C-F-C-F |
|
| 8. |
Bb-F-C-F-C-F* |
Similar to Tuning #9 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 9. |
F-Bb-C-F-C-F* |
Similar to Tuning #8 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 10. |
C-F-C-F-C-C |
|
| 11. |
Bb-F-C-F-C-C* |
Similar to Tuning #12 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 12. |
F-Bb-C-F-C-C* |
Similar to Tuning #11 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 13. |
C-F-C-F-C-D |
|
| 14. |
Bb-F-C-F-C-D |
|
| 15. |
F-Bb-C-F-C-D |
|
| 16. |
C-F-C-G-C-D |
|
| 17. |
Bb-F-C-G-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #18 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 18. |
F-Bb-C-G-C-D* |
Similar to Tuning #17 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 19. |
F-C-F-G-C-D |
Can be tuned as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Miscellaneous Tuning #2 (D-A-D-E-A-B). |
| 20. |
F-C-F-G-A-D |
Can be tuned as low as the key of D, which makes this tuning the same as D Miscellaneous Tuning #1 (D-A-D-E-F#-B). |
| 21. |
C-F-C-G-A-D
|
|
| 22. |
Bb-F-C-G-A-D* |
Similar to Tuning #23 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 23. |
F-Bb-C-G-A-D* |
Similar to Tuning #22 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
| 24. |
Bb-F-C-F-A-D |
Usually tuned up as high as the key of C. This tuning is the same as C Wahine Tuning (#C7: C-G-D-G-B-E) on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings. |
| Tunings #25 and #26 below are related to an F Major Tuning on the Section IV: Chart of Recorded Tunings: #F1 (C-F-C-G-A-F). |
| 25. |
Bb-F-C-G-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #26 below, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned down and reversed in pitch. |
| 26. |
F-Bb-C-G-A-F* |
Similar to Tuning #27 above, but with the two lowest pitched bass strings tuned up and reversed in pitch. |
Bb Tunings
Bb Major Tunings - Tunings that are a Major chord or a tuning that contains a major chord on the top pitched strings.
Bb Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with the 2 top-pitched strings tuned a 5th interval apart.
Bb Ni'ihau/Old Mauna Loa Tunings - Tunings with 2 successive strings tuned a 4th interval apart, with the 6th note of the scale as the lower pitch, and the 2nd note as the higher pitch.
Bb Miscellaneous Tunings
A Tunings
A Wahine Tunings - Tunings that are a Major 7th chord or that contain the Major 7th note.
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