Scordatura

Guitar is a versatile instrument cover different style of music and technique. But the most fascinated me is the use of Scordatura.

Scordatura or alternate tuning is a technique in which players tune their strings to different notes from standard tuning. The use of this technique is found throughout the history of classical guitar. This made it possible to play unusual chords or combination of  notes in string-crossing and even unusual keys on guitar.

The standard tuning of guitar is from 6th string to 1st string : EADGBE . The most frequently use of scordatura on classical guitar is the Drop D tuning. It is tune the 6th string from E to D, the tuning became DADGBE. This tuning got a deeper bass effect and mostly played in key of D. 

Here’s two examples pieces by the same composer Leo Brouwer. The first one is his famous movie theme ‘Un día de Noviembre’ is in standard tuning. The other is his arrangement for guitar ‘Drume Negrita’ which is in Drop D tuning.