A NOTE FROM CHET NICHOLS:

I've been asked to share my guitar tunings and post them at my site. I am happy to do it. So, bear with me as I load them a little-bit at a time, as there are many of them.

I started creating the tunings back in 1965 when I started playing lap-slide guitar. So, I have tunings that are meant for playing slide guitar, many are unique and some are the standard "open tunings" we all know about. Interestingly enough, when you take these standard tunings and make note adjustments (and sometime STRING adjustments), you can create some very interesting tunings, so don't be afraid to experiment.

Some players prefer a few tunings and stick to them because they will place the "slide" on a particular finger. I will play with the slide on different fingers per the demands of the fingering of the notes or chords played on a particular song. So, sometimes, the slide is on my little finger, then I might use my "ring" finger, I use my middle finger and my index finger to.....so the process varies per the song. At times, I will basically play chords and add a slide section or accent runs while playing chords.

I prefer glass slides and ceramic slides with a baked finish in them, although I will use brass or steal "slides".

I like to make my own slides from wine bottles and use a process of scoring the top of a wine bottle (at different lengths) combined with twine soaked in gas that is wrapped around the wine bottles to help create a cracking zone. All of this is ALWAYS done outside and with great care.....just a little gas on the twine that has been tightly wrapped at the break point works fine. I often will repeat the string burn a few times before I do the "break". So, take care, IF you try this. There are some very nice bottle-shaped glass slides available, so look into those. Needless to say, I have a healthy collection of slides. Moreover, some slides are better for electric guitars and some are best for use with acoustic instruments......

Aside from the "slide tunings", I create a lot of tunings that do not incorporate the use of a slide. I create as unique sonic solutions to what I am trying to get out of the guitar that supports the song. I also have 3-5 different sonic "sections" in a song that are subtle, but very effective is supporting the lyrics, melody and structure of the song. Tunings have provided me with the tools to create incredibly dynamic guitar parts that make the guitar sound like multiple guitars played at once.

I hope these tid-bits give you a bit more insight into tunings and creating them.

This all takes me to the "how-in-the-heck-do-I-remember-all-the-fingering-patterns" question. I have a blank chord sheet with many blank finger-board chord images on it....so I can fill these sheets up with the fingering patterns, so I can remember them....as many are very intricate. If you'd like this from, use the email on the site and send us your info and we will send one to you.

Cheers and Happy Picking!

Chet