DROPPED-D FINGERPICKING ROLLS
In this month’s exclusive exercise, we’re playing fingerpicking rolls in dropped-D tuning. With the sixth string tuned down to D, the D5 chord in measures 1 and 2 gains a full, bass-rich sound that isn’t available in standard tuning. Hear audio example.



The hardest thing to master in this example is the way the picking pattern changes as the progression shifts to G in measure 3. In measures 1 and 2, the bass part includes all three of the lowest strings, hitting the two D notes on strings four and six along with the A on the open fifth string. A quick bass flourish leads into measure 3, where the picking pattern changes slightly, the thumb now alternating exclusively between strings four and six. With less movement on the bass strings, measures 3 and 4 feature some added variety on the treble strings. Notice how, in dropped-D tuning, the G chord looks significantly different from the open-position G shape in standard tuning. With the sixth string tuned down a whole step, you need to fret that important low G note two frets higher than usual. This change makes grabbing the fifth-string B note (found on the second fret) pretty difficult, but the chord sounds fine if we skip that string altogether.

Be sure to check out “Dropped-D Tuning Lesson,” new this month on acousticguitar.com. To learn more about bass notes and how to work them into your arrangements, there’s also “Working Bass Lines into Your Arrangements.” Both articles are online now (and include complete audio examples), and can also be found in the February 2009 issue of Acoustic Guitar.

LESSON FEATURE
JACK JOHNSON
The laid-back musician talks about the origin of his songs and his groove-rich guitar style. With video. [More]

PRIVATE LESSON
TIM SPARKS
The fingerstyle guitarist finds compelling uses for familiar scale patterns and outlines several impressive, exotic-sounding scales. With audio examples and Lick of the Month. [More]

THE BASICS
DROPPED-D TUNING LESSON
Learn the art of dropped-D tuning to extend your bass range while preserving your hard-earned knowledge of standard tuning. With audio. [More]

WOODSHED
WORKING BASS LINES INTO GUITAR ARRANGEMENTS
Use this guide to build interesting bass lines into your songs and arrangements. With audio. [More]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SLACK KEY FESTIVAL COMING JANUARY 2009
The second annual Southern California Slack Key Festival arrives in Redondo Beach on January 18, just in time to melt away those post-holiday blues. Sponsored by Acoustic Guitar, the festival will include appearances by the Pahinui Hawaiian Band, Maunalua, John Keawe, and others. Not to be missed if you’re an aspiring slack-key guitarist—one of the most important ways to help yourself learn a style of music is to watch people play! socalslackkeyfest.com

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