Micro Lesson 110: "Dsus4" D-A-D-G-A-D Open Tuning Riff


Welcome to... "Micro-Lesson 110"
 

This Micro Lesson takes a look into the world of open guitar tunings with one of the all time most popular guitar tunings, "DADGAD." 

This tuning is unique in how it doesn't generate a standard Major or Minor chord as an open harmony. Unlike "Open D" or "Open G" tunings, the DADGAD tuning produces a suspended chord. 

The suspended concept means that the chord is neither major, nor minor. The chord instead has no quality, and offers musicians a light, floating effect harmonically. 

The "Open" non specific sound can produce very unique opportunities for phrasing. And, this Micro Lesson effectively demonstrates this.

This riff begins from the harmony of two major chords "A Major" and "G Major," (the V and the IV of the tonal center "D Major"). The riff then drifts across a generous use open strings to resolve to the tonic of the key. 

Measures three and four duplicate the effect, however into another register of the tonic note. Use fingerstyle guitar technique to play through the lines of the riff. Enjoy!

Micro Lesson 110: "Dsus4" D-A-D-G-A-D Open Tuning Riff