Exploring Orkney Tuning

Before I really leave you, I would like to take the opportunity to show you one little thing about my favorite guitar tuning, the Orkney tuning. I'm going to show you how simple and accessible it is, and how beautiful it can be. After you've spent 45 seconds with it, I'm going to show you.

Basic C Chord

• Look at my left hand.
• Now, the basic C chord:
  • Middle finger on the fifth string, fifth fret.
  • Ring finger on the fourth string, fifth fret.
  • Pinky on the first string, fifth fret.

This is basic C.

You'll notice your index finger hanging out, waiting for something to do. This is a C neutral. It doesn't have any thirds in it; it's just Cs and Gs.

Creating Chords from C Neutral

• Simply plop your index finger down in the most natural spot available, which is:
  • Second string, fourth fret.

Listen to what happens to this C neutral:

• Suddenly, it's a C major.
• Slide your index finger down 1 fret for C minor.
• Take your index finger over to the third string, third fret for C7.
• Slide it up to the fourth fret of the third string and you've got a very California, New Agey sounding C: C suspended, C major, seventh.

Chords Summary

Here's what you have out of the basic C position:

• C neutral
• C major
• C minor
• C7
• C major (new age 7)
• Back to C neutral

Transitioning to Other Chords

Now, you're obviously going to need more than C's when you play. So, without picking up your pinky or your ring, pick up everything else.

• Take your pinky and ring, slide them up two frets, and bar at the fifth to get an F chord.
• Back to basic C: P and R (Pinky and Ring) up two frets for F chord.
• Slide them up two more for a G chord.
• Slide P and R up one more fret for a nice rich sounding high C chord.

Playing in the Key of G

If you want to play in the key of G, it's just as easy. Here's your G chord:

• I call this wimpy G.
• To put your pinky down on the first string, fifth fret, you get basic G.
• Pivot over to basic C.

This simple pivoting motion gets you from G to C.

Adding the D Chord

You need one more chord to play in the key of G, pretty much any folk song, and that's a D chord:

• Position your fingers on the second string and third string at the second fret.
• For a cool variation, bring your thumb over.

Conclusion

So welcome to the world of Orkney! If you have any questions about Orkney Tuning or anything else related to this project we've discussed today, feel free to send me an email.

• My website is CelticGuitar.com.
• You can also contact acousticmusicresource.com to learn about my CDs and find lots of great fingerstyle music from many different genres.

Stay in touch, and I hope you found this to be a worthwhile time. Thank you!