Favorite songs in alternate tunings

[YESman]

I've been busy trying suggestions of a prior thread, after receiving my new 12 string. Most of the songs have been a blast, but I keep going back to open G tuning to play Zep's 'The Rain Song'. MAN! I enjoy that!!

 

So it brings to mind, what are other songs that I can play in open G? What are other songs of other tunings that are fun to play? and how are they tuned?

 

I know open G is GDCGCD...

[Freeman Keller]

Normal open G is (low to high) DGDGBD and is sometimes called Spanish tuning after a song by that name (Spanish Fandango). It is a great tuning for a lot of Delta blues - Walkin' Blues, Come in My Kitchen, Roll 'n Tumble - and was used by Ry Cooder, John Fahey and Leo Kottke.

 

Since you are playing a 12'er learn Leo's Vaseline Machine Gun, Crow River Waltz, and many others. Kottke's version of open G is tuned down three half steps but it is the same string relationship (I usually tune my 12 string down two half steps to D, then down from there - in that case you would really be in open F).

 

Anyway, it is a great tuning for both slide and fretted playing.

 

I also play my 12 string in dropped D, open D and and open C (all down 2 half steps). Again, all of these were used by Kottke - listen to Busted Bicycle and Tennessee Toad in open C.

 

Open D (Vestapol) - DADF#AD

Open C - CGCGCE (note the second course is tuned up to C)

[Buttcrust]

I like playing "thats the way it ought to be" and "stomp" by zep.. and riverside blues.

[YESman]

My mistake on the open G (won't be the last one I make). I've been doing 'The rain Song' CGDGCD, whatever that may actually be.

[rockfan]

"That's the Way" by Zeppelin is a fav.