Playing Guitar Chords in Alternate Tunings

by Laura

Hi,
I've been watching videos of one of my favorite artist's, Nick Jonas playing acoustic guitar, and he was playing his chords differently with just one note with his index finger; sometimes he would add a second note, but for the most part it was just one finger notes, all on the same string up and down the neck of the guitar. I've been playing guitar for a while, and I've never been able to figure it out.Is this a type of alternate tuning, or am I just missing something? An answer would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER

Hi, Laura--

He is most likely playing in "Drop D" tuning, where the 6th string is tuned to D and the other strings remain in standard tuning.

This causes power chords with a root on the 6th string to be played with one finger on the same fret of the 5th and 6th strings.

Then when he uses two fingers, he is probably playing a power chord with the root on the 5th string. Such chords are played as normal power chords.

Have you visited out free lessons on alternate tunings? Alternate Tunings For Guitar

Lynne