An Open and Shut Case
An Open and Shut Case, consisting of two sections is an example of an open tuning piece. An open tuning is when the open strings are tuned to form a chord. Open tunings give the guitar a different sound and tone depending on what tuning is used, because you can play chords you cannot normally position in normal tuning.
For example, the notes which make up the G Major chord are G, B and D. If we lower the 1st, 5th and 6th strings one tone, the notes of the open strings now are (lowest to highest); D-G-D-G-B-D. We now have a G Major chord on the open strings, this is called open G tuning, as shown in the following diagram. An Open and Shut Case is in open G tuning. For more on open tunings see Progressive Fingerpicking Guitar Licks by Brett Duncan.
Standard Tuning
Dropped D Tuning
Chord shapes used in An Open and Shut Case.
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