Technique focus

Tunings

Though Jimmy prefers the term ‘altered’ to ‘open’ tunings, sometimes the areas coincide. Classics like Kashmir and Black Mountain Side feature the classic D-A-D-G-A-D (low to high), while That’s The Way was recorded in open G: D-G-D-G-B-D. Typically, Jimmy doesn’t confine himself to these ‘regular’ altered tunings – The Rain Song was recorded using D-G-C-G-C-D (up a tone to E-A-D-A-D-E for the live version on The Song Remains The Same). Friends and Bron Yr Aur feature an altered version of open C: C-A-C-G-C-E. More recently, Jimmy has been seen using the Trans Performance system on a modified Les Paul. This is an automatic tuning system to allow him to change tunings quickly without changing guitars.