Julie Henigan has put together a useful book for musicians looking to add DADGAD tuning to their repertoire for the guitar. With the tablature for only 13 songs it is by no means definitive, nor in all fairness does it try to be. It simply sets out to give people a starting point.

The book is for the most part aimed at people who have played the guitar for some time. While the notation is easy to read, one does need to know how to hammer on, pull-off and slide, as every song includes at least two of the three. There are notes with each song, explaining a bit of its history and the variations, where there are some given. The variations are easier to read if one knows how to read music.

The CD that comes along with the book includes each tune from the book. For the most part the music is clear and it is only when Henigan sings that it is hard to get an idea what the guitar music sounds like on its own.

At the end of the book is a chord chart that lacks a key. Even if she uses the standard notation it would help to know what she means in a couple of cases, rather than making an educated guess. Otherwise the chart opens up the book to beginners as it allows them to explore the DADGAD tuning within their limits.

DADGAD Tuning gives you an idea of some of what can be done with that tuning variation. The samples in the book are all finger style, but two have chords listed as well. It is worth looking at if you are just starting to branch into the DADGAD tuning.

- Rambles
written by Paul de Bruijn
published 15 November 2003