In today’s blog post, I’ll be playing in the alternate tuning D#GDGCD in the key of A# Major. This tuning is only a slight variation of yesterday’s tuning (EGDGCD) – changing the E note on String 6 to a D#.

If you play the open string notes in this tuning, you will play the chord C mAdd9.

In the video, I play the intro progression of a song called “Whispering Rain” which focuses only on the notes of the C mAdd9 chord (C, D, D#, and G), but I do add the note A#. Below the video is a screenshot of the chord C mAdd9 in this tuning.

Here are the chord notes of C mAdd9 in D#GDGCD tuning:

I play the open string notes D#, G, D, G, C and D, then add the note G on string 6/fret 4. I also play the note D# on string 1/fret 1.

The A# note that I play (which is not in the scale) is on string 6/fret 7.

C mAdd9 is a great sounding chord. I’m amazed that with all the chord changes I played, I only played one note that is not found in the chord C mAdd9.

May these daily alt tunings continue to inspire you as you explore songwriting beyond the limitations of standard tuning. If you’d like to learn more about making alt tuning a part of your songwriting, give me a call at 888-7-GUITAR or reach out to me here.

All the best…

~Scott Quillin

Did you know? Scott started playing guitar when he was 14 years old back in 1982. A Pittsburgh native, Scott resides in Rhode Island where he teaches guitar, bass, music and songwriting. He also records and mixes songs for local bands and artists as well as his own music. He writes and records nearly every day and has a real passion to help others hear their “inner voice” and express that in songs.

You can listen to more of Scott’s music at https://soundcloud.com/scottquillin.