Suggest Some Drop D Songs

[Oxhead]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I like to use drop D with Norwegian wood, it really adds that low end rumble at the end of the lick. Like others have said, anything in the key of D sounds better with the drop D. IMO of course.

It’s funny that you mention this. As I was playing “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell (in drop D) a few months ago I was suddenly struck by its similarity with “Norwegian Wood.”

[MrDB]

Norwegian Wood
Midnight Rider
Can't You See
Gold Dust Woman

Those will get you started

[JonPR]

double post!

[JonPR]

As your local Bert Jansch representative, I have to list these drop D songs:

Blackwaterside
Poison
It Don't Bother Me
Reynardine
Tinker's Blues
Oh How Your Love is Strong
Rambling's Gonna be the death of me
Crimson Moon

The easiest one there is probably Poison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPG6VMlKS60

[lfoo6952]

Country Road by James Taylor, not to be confused with Country Roads by John Denver.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by fpuhan

On a recent trip through Australia I was introduced to "Raining On The Rock," a song by John Williamson about Uluru. I thought it would be nice to play at my next gig as a tribute to the land and its people.

It's a fairly simple song, and the Drop D tuning adds a layer of depth and warmth to it.

Drop D is a new tuning for me and searching for other songs in it leads me to a lot of heavy metal material, which is not my thing. Dear Prudence, by the Beatles is more to my liking, as is Midnight Rider, by the Allman Bros.

Any other songs I should consider? I like expanding my repertoire and capabilities.

Drop D is great fun, and there's no end of songs that can utilize it effectively. My guitar hardly ever comes out of drop D tuning. As an example, here's Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street":



As JonPR sez, "Blackwaterside", but listen at the end (2:05+...) for Jimmy Page's derived "Black Mountain Side":

[Poppa]

Doobie Bros "Blackwater" is a great drop D tune

[kevinplarson]

Yeah cover me up is the answer

[Coler]

Rocky Mountain High.

Great riffs. Especially on a 12 string.

Capo on 2 to match the key John did it in

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

As JonPR sez, "Blackwaterside", but listen at the end (2:05+...) for Jimmy Page's derived "Black Mountain Side":

I like your stripped down "easy-strum" version! Just shows how versatile that arrangement is.

Here's Bert playing his arrangement in 1992, with Anne Briggs who originally taught him the song in 65/66 (in an obviously under-rehearsed take):

[Cecil6243]

Seven Bridges Road - written by Steve Young and recorded by The Eagles
Gentle on my Mind - written by John Hartford recorded by Glenn Campbell

[Norsepicker]

Tom Ball's book, if you can find it, is called "Drop D tuning". and all the songs in it are that - he has some Piedmont blues, some classical, some others.

One Way Gal
Chump Man Blues
Maria Elena
Berceuse
John Hardy. and others

Also, I recently listened to Boz Scaggs version of Corinna, and I've been playing it in Drop D. It's a nice slowed down version.

There's some Drop D in Steve James fingerpicking book, I particularly like his version of Milwaukee Blues.

[Bluenose]

I like the traditional blues and ragtime. Here's some usually played in Dropped D.

Frankie and Johnnie - Mississippi John Hurt
Statesboro Blues - Blind Willie McTell
12th Street Rag (Sponge Bob theme)- John James version and like the previously mentioned Never Going Back Again, contains a tricky 3 over 4 section.

[Arapaho G]

St. Louis Blues
When the Springtime Comes Again
Delia

[Ryan51]

Can't Find My Way Home
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Black Hole Sun