ISBN 9781619115286. 8.5 X 11 inches.

This book features 22 gems of gospel and hymn music, arranged in various keys in dropped D tuning (DADGBE - 6th to 1st string) for the intermediate and advanced guitarist. The arrangements provide compelling evidence that dropped D tuning has been liberated from its usual position as simply a variant of standard tuning. In this book, it takes on an exciting open-tuning character. Innovative string choices and guitar voicings are employed to evoke different textures for the various melodies. The music ranges from the single-note treatment reminiscent of the solo singer, to the flowing, arpeggiated approach of the harper, to the chordal power of the organist. The pace can be slow and meditative, or up-tempo and celebratory. The presentation is in tablature and standard notation.

ISBN 9781619117488.

The word DADGAD refers to the names of the notes on the open strings of one of many alternate tunings for the guitar, one that is very popular with acoustic guitar players. It has a wonderfully warm resonance, allowing you to play simple single-note melodies, yet still fill out the sound of the instrument.The twenty Christmas carols presented here form a perfect introduction to playing guitar in DADGAD tuning. The melodies are presented without added bass notes or chords - just those great melodies, once heard, never forgotten. This means you already know what the tune is supposed to sound like, leaving you to concentrate on playing the notes on the right string and fret, and for the right length of time.This book is the easiest of Rob Mackillop's DADGAD books. It assumes you know how to hold and tune the guitar, and play some notes and a few simple chords. The book includes a Technique Primer to help get you up and running, plus the essential chord diagrams for playing in DADGAD tuning. Book includes access to online audio featuring Rob MacKillop's performance of each piece.

This is an arrangement of Amazing Grace which I play on the classical guitar. It would be a good study piece for developing smooth and quick position changes while maintaining proper duration of notes and steadiness of tempo.