G modal tuning

[coldspot]

Hi everyone! Can someone tell me if it's possible to tune the guitar's E string up to G? The tuning I'm working with is G D G D B D. I don't wanna break my strings :\

 

Thank you

[The Final Track]

It depends on what kind of guitar (electric, acoustic) and what kind of strings you use. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine, but try researching the material of the strings etc.

[Tnspieler1012]

Shouldn't be a problem.

[MosesTheMarshmallow]

I think G tuning is typically done D-G-D-G-B-d. Otherwise, no, you should be able to get away with that in most cases. I wouldn't leave it like that for a long time though since the different tension may affect your guitar's body.

[86Timewarp]

The only time I would mess with the e string is if I were to tune it down, rather then up. I'm comfortable with like 2-3 semi-tones but that's all I can manage :worried:

[coldspot]

Thanks for the feedback. The tuning was for a song I'm trying to write a cover for. It's a complicated fingerstyle but the standard tuning wasn't working. Now I'll have to figure something else out because the new tuning didn't work either :lol:

 

oh the joys of songwriting :lol::lol:

[coldspot]

Hi Coldspot,

 

AFAIK you can tune up to G, however the string is not usually designed for this on an acoustic guitar, that said I've never tried to tune it up more than 1 semitone, but I've watched so many cheap strings break that I'm now scared to push any string above it's designated tuning!

 

What I usually do in a case like that would be to use a Capo. For example, the song "Say It To Me Now" by Glen Hansard is in Open E - so the G string gets tuned it up to G#. However, this tuning can only really last for a week of playing in my experience, that string will snap sooner or later. So, instead, I tuned my guitar down to Open Eb and put a Capo on Fret 1. Tadah!

 

Hope that helps :)

 

I've never tried tuning down then adding a capo- thanks!