Originally Posted by: drivingburntThanks for all the tips people. Here come another idiotic question but is this the same as when someone says to step it down a half step? You'll have to start a forum to explain the lingo to us old farts. I can't wait until I learn how to shred (whatever that is) :eek:

Tuning down a half step is as you suggest - dropping every note a semi-tone flat (Hendrix and SRV did this - as do many others), so tune the guitar to Eb Ab Db Gb Bb eb...

Shredding is a (usually derogatory) term for playing fast... it usually means the use of technique to the point of being counter productive to the music.... I like to think I buck the trend... :D

'Drop' tunings are usually called that because only one string gets de-tuned... BUT... then system of a down use 'Drop D down 1half step' which is Db Ab Db Gb Bb eb - but people still called it dropped D. All you can do is use what you can read as a guide, and then your ears to tell you if you're right.

It gets easier with time....honest... ;)