very least, trying out different tunings at home
can do a lot with it.
none of them are dominating the mix or drawing
is revitalizing for what you create. Even if you
attention to themselves. What they are doing
ultimately end up finding the “normal” variations In a time of musical trends putting traditional instead is providing atmosphere. The same goes
of what you came up with while in an alternate guitarists at a disadvantage, these tools are for keyboardists and the sounds in use: fewer
tuning, the tuning can still help you write, as it’s helpful for both songwriting and playing. We’re in pianos and electric pianos are providing the spine
refreshing to the ear and helps you to perceive an era of sonic expansion, and so impracticality of songs from which all other instrumentation
the relationships of the chords you’re playing. It may be the order of the day. branches out.
which sound bland otherwise, and give you AIMING FOR THE ATMOSPHERE And what this all means practically is that we
a brand-new sense of their importance in Since church tends to be behind the curve when it need to learn to think in textures.
the process. comes to pop culture and music, the permeation
can reinvigorate standard chords and changes,
Sometimes, you just need a change of scenery.
and normalization of new technologies for writing More and more songs aren’t merely having that
and reproducing music will be behind the curve coat of paint applied to them, but are actually
as well. But we’ve already seen signs of it in most coming from an unconventional place entirely,
It’s best to keep alternate tunings somewhere of the popular worship music being released. driven by sounds that never used to be possible.
near standard unless you want to get into different A great shift is taking place in how things are string gauges and setups for a guitar (though arranged and reproduced, and that means So guitarists, maybe don’t sit down with your
that’s fun too). Plus, a capo can always bring people are using new tools to conceive and write acoustic for every writing session. Instead, sit
them into a different key. Some tunings I’ve found their songs. “Traditional” guitar and piano sounds down with an electric guitar, and with a few pedals
to be inspiring and helpful are open D variations. are less prominent, and on many songs, you between you and an amp—lush and spacious
Low to high, you can try out: won’t hear them at all. effects like reverb and delay. What you want is
• D A D F# A D (D major) I know not everyone wants to hear it, but I aesthetics. Set a vibe. Likewise, keyboardists.
• D A D F A D (D minor) think one way you can write for the future is to Instead of writing at the piano, try writing from the
• D A D G A D (Dsus4) is always popular— recognize that your instrument might not be a synth patches. Or try linking in to your computer
especially if you want to get Celtic. “lead” instrument anymore. That it is taking on a and controlling sounds via a DAW or plugin. Move
• D G D G B D (open G) is another staple and support role, and that a lot of the writing is trending the dials. Aim for mystery. Be willing to obscure
shouldn’t just belong to Keith Richards! toward coming from a broader place, where more what you’re playing if it sets the right tone and is
technology is involved in crafting songs. This is evocative.
ambience, so experiment with sounds. Create
A personal favorite of mine is an Ebsus2 tuning, a time of transition, but we’re seeing more and or Eb Bb Eb F Bb Eb. This preserves the string more recordings where conventional guitar and tension better on my guitar, which improves piano sounds are being avoided entirely. I’ve stability and intonation. It also gives me access to seen major releases from large churches where more major, minor, and suspended voicings. You there might be five guitar parts on a song, and yet Kevin MacDougall
Worship leader, published and recorded songwriter,
musician and podcast producer.
[email protected]
REHARMONIZATION: ALTERNATE TUNINGS ATMOSPHERE, TEXTURE AND AMBIENCE
The future comes when we make it.
Original song
Remixed and reharmonized
April 2020
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