Celtic Fingerstyle in D Dorian — DADGAD Tuning

DADGAD tuning (D–A–D–G–A–D, low to high) was popularized by British folk guitarist Davey Graham in the 1960s after his travels to Morocco, and became the standard tuning for Celtic fingerstyle playing through the work of Pierre Bensusan and others. All six open strings ring in perfect harmony, making the guitar resonate like a sitar or oud and giving Celtic music its signature open, resonant character. This progression in D Dorian (D natural minor with a raised 6th) exploits DADGAD's open strings as constant drones. The melody lines use pull-offs and hammer-ons between fretted notes and open strings, creating the intricate interplay of melody, harmony, and drone that defines the Celtic idiom. The chords below are DADGAD voicings, not standard tuning — retune before playing. Expert technique requires simultaneous thumb bass notes, index/middle melody notes, and ring/pinky drone maintenance. Practice each hand role separately before combining. The thumb and melody fingers must be completely independent rhythmically.