Why is G D G b the most common 4 string layout?

Feb
18
2017
2
By BCurtis
BCurtis's picture

Been working through the 3 string slide course, learning a lot and having fun. I currently own a 3 string license plate CBG. However I had a 4 string standard CBG made and should be arriving soon. I am looking forward to starting the 4 string fretted course. The 4 string will be more for chord and fretted playing, where the 3 string is more for blues and slide playing. I was curious on the most common tuning of the 4 string, G D g b.  So in open tuning you have the root, fifth, octave, third (of the octave).  Why is the third placed as the third of the octave? Logically I would have thought root, third, fifth, octave in that order would be more desirable. I am versed in basic music theory and can play several instruments, however I am new to the guitar so I suspect that there is rationale for this (perhaps for chord layout?).  Would you happen to know?

Thanks

Brian

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/teacher-accreditation?page=1

There are 2 Comments

Submitted by admin on Sat, 02/18/2017 - 13:35

Hi there Brian

GDGB has a number of advantages and over time has become a bit of a standard although there is lot more variety in 4 string tunings than 3 string. With the GDG on the bottom you can move from 3 strings to 4 a lot easier, it also allows you to play a lot of the blues and rock'n'roll rhythm figures using the bass strings. Having the 3 on top is not great for slide blues but not insurmountable. I prefer this tuning for more contemporary rock tunes, hence the content in the 4 string course although you can certainly play the blues with it, hence the content in the slide workshops for 4 string.

GDGB is also what we call an open voicing, meaning that it spans more than one octave. This is common in most guitar chord voicings and two-handed piano chord voicings as well. This may be a reason that the 3 on top is preferred amongst chord players. You'll also find that having the 1 and 5 in the lower registers tends to ground the chord a little better, the 3, 7 and any extensions or alterations tend to work better on top.

Most of the 4 string tunings that I've seen are fragments of either open G open D 6 string tunings, this one is the middle 4 in an open G tuning so many 6 string players can easily get their heads around it as well.

I'm glad you're enjoying the course, thanks again for the question, keep them coming.

Patrick

BCurtis's picture

Submitted by BCurtis on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 01:56

Patrick:

Thanks for the detailed answer. Hopefully my 4 string will arrive soon so I can get started learning.

Brian

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/teacher-accreditation?page=1