Open D tuning w/o detuning

[max]

I really want to try to play Leo Kottke's version of Little Martha, but it requires open D tuning and I hate detuning my guitar because then I have to retune it to play anything else. I want to be able to just pick it up and play. Does anyone know if it's possible to get open D using multiple capos or are there any special capos on the market that can do this? Or does anyone know another way to play Little Martha?

[sunglassesatnight]

It isn't possible. Open D is, high to low: DADF#AD, for which you absolutely have to down to get. I don't recall this song being in Open D anyway, I want to say it's in Open G, maybe Open C.

[max]

Sorry, to clarify, what I mean is, can you use capos to get relative tuning the same as open D? For instance, you can use a capo to play a song in dropped D without detuning: capo ADGBE at 2nd fret (i.e. don't let the capo touch low E). Then play the song using normal fingering. Like I always play Dave's song "Oh" with a capo at 7 instead of raised B.

[RunsWithBuffalo]

still its really not practical, you would have to make a special capo with slits in it and even then im no sure it would work. Try just tuning it down, you would be suprised how easy it is to do once you've done it a couple times.

[Kahn]

Does anyone know a good Leo Kottke tab site?

[You_Enjoy_Myself]

I love playing in open D. I would suggest just get used to tuning back and forth from standard to open D. After a while it takes no time at all, I can do it in less than a minute.

[T714]

I really want to try to play Leo Kottke's version of Little Martha, but it requires open D tuning and I hate detuning my guitar because then I have to retune it to play anything else. I want to be able to just pick it up and play. Does anyone know if it's possible to get open D using multiple capos or are there any special capos on the market that can do this? Or does anyone know another way to play Little Martha?

There is a such thing on the market as a "Drop D" capo, made by Kyser. I think Shubb makes one as well. That may be something that you could be interested in. However, it's for capoing up and having the ability to leave the low-E in D. So, that may not be what you are after.

As far as Drop-D tuning, dropping the low-E (partial drop) and dropping the high-E with it (full drop) is only two strings. It's fairly quick, and you can use your open D-string as a point of reference.

In my Goo Goo Dolls days, I was stringing my guitar with two low E strings and three A strings and 1 D string just to play a song like "Iris".

Believe me, a Drop D is a simple thing.

[max]

There is a such thing on the market as a "Drop D" capo, made by Kyser. I think Shubb makes one as well. That may be something that you could be interested in. However, it's for capoing up and having the ability to leave the low-E in D. So, that may not be what you are after.

That might be useful, I'll look into it, thanks! I'm actually trying to easily tune open D, but that sounds like something similar to what I'm looking for. I'm looking for an "open D" capo, but I imagine that would be much more complicated as it would have to span 2 frets. I'm thinking of making one by cutting two normal capos if I can't find anything. For all those interested, one capo would hold the A and D strings at the second fret (only those two) and the G string at the first fret. In other words, I'd cut out the rubber on the capos where they touch the other strings.
I agree though, the best way would be to just get used to tuning. I just hate it! I like being able to just pick up the guitar and start playing any song. I also really suck at tuning by ear.

[max]

Does anyone know a good Leo Kottke tab site?

This is the best one I've found:
http://www.tabpigs.org/thetabs/leokottke.html
It's not perfect, but they come pretty close. They also have MIDI files to go with the tabs which can be helpful. There's also a bunch missing because there's a lot published. I heard the published stuff is very close to what Leo plays; he had a guy film both hands and someone tabbed it from the film. I've never seen one of the books though . . .

[Thomas]

well if you don't mind being a step off, then you can use your capo to get an open E tuning.

i've never heard of the guy though, so i'm unsure of what kind of sound you are going for.

[sunglassesatnight]

well if you don't mind being a step off, then you can use your capo to get an open E tuning.

i've never heard of the guy though, so i'm unsure of what kind of sound you are going for.

You need to.

[Kahn]

Get Leo's album with Mike Gordon "66 Steps"

[max]

well if you don't mind being a step off, then you can use your capo to get an open E tuning.
i've never heard of the guy though, so i'm unsure of what kind of sound you are going for.

I don't pretend to try for Leo's sound. That would be like an orangutan trying to waltz. For all those who've never heard of Leo Kottke, visit the Olson guitar site (Leo has an Olson, but primarily plays Taylors) and take a look at a video of him:
http://www.olsonguitars.com/videovault.html
One warning though: it may make you want to burn your guitar and never play again.