Theory overview
The 3 notes formed in
this tuning are the 3 notes of the D major triad. The D major triad is the
basic D major chord, which has the notes (D, F#, A). When the strings are played open
they form this D major chord.
Open D tuning like all
open tunings is very popular with slide guitarists as chords can be formed
by holding down all the strings at a single fret (this is called barring).
For example if you held down all the strings at the 3rd fret you would get
an F major chord, at the 5th fret you would get a G major chord, and so on.
This form of guitar
tuning is also
good for instrumental acoustic pieces. It's used by artists such as Bob
Dylan, and Elmore James.
