Most people try to use a normal E tuning and capo the guitar at the 7th fret. This makes the guitar sound too high (especially the high e string, which should be an octave down) and is not the way Dave plays it. He plays in a "Raised B" tuning on a normal guitar. Instead of using a special guitar like he uses in the acoustic version of Space Between, he uses a normal guitar with a different set of strings. When a normal guitar is strung: EADGBe the Raised B tuning uses: BEADF#b. This requires to use an A string tuned up to a B, a G string tuned down to an E, a B string tuned down to an A, a high e string tuned down to a D, a B string tuned down to a F#, and a B string tuned to a B. I hope that helps. This allows you to play it without a capo. Just be careful with your guitar not to change the tension too fast. Let the guitar breathe a bit to loosen up before placing the new tuning on. Hope this helps anyone who loves this song and wants to play it on their own, the way Dave plays it.

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23 thoughts on “Dave Matthews "Stay or Leave" (Slow Acoustic Guitar Cover)”

  1. guicunha222
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    Loved it… The way you play it markint the note in each chord, slow enough for people to understand. I don’t know if you were trying to do a cover or a tutorial, but the truth is, without pauses and comments along the way, this is the best lesson for Stay or Leave I ever had. Thanks man, cheers!

  2. AaronAlander
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    I have a few Dave Matthews raised B tutorials on my page if you’re interested. Cheers!

  4. goldenjag
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    You use a B string where the B string should normally be and you tune it way down to F#. Do not try tuning a high e string up or the tension will be too great. The string tuned into F# will absolutely sound higher than the high b string (where the high e is normally). Good luck, it sounds so beautiful once the guitar is set up properly. Dave is a genius! If you haven’t already, you have to go out and get Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King. Awesome album!

  5. etanalot669
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    Can some one tell me how to tune to the F# note? I have been trying to tune to this tuning but i havent gotten it quite right. I dont know how to tune to the F#. Also, is the bottom b string (where the high e string usually is) supposed to sound lower than the F#?

  6. goldenjag
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    Oh, Sister, You Never Know, capo on the 3rd of raised B tuning is great for Idea of You and for Falling Off The Roof.

  7. dbrack81
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    Thanks man, I’ve been trying to figure out that tuning for some time. Any other songs played in the Raised B tuning?

  8. dbrack81
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    Thanks man, I’ve been trying to figure out that tuning for some time. Any other songs played in the Raised B tuning?

  9. goldenjag
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    The guitar is actually a Walden G3030CE. I highly recommend it!!! Thanks for watching and listening!!!

  11. kullz12
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    he does use diff stringing and not standard tuning …. so i agree with u

  13. goldenjag
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    Thanks!!! That is really interesting about the ambiance… Cheers!

  14. hodiaudirekt
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    sorry but i DONT agree with the fact that this is "how dave plays it". I play this song perfectly without having to use a capo OR a different tuning… Anyways… a good effort

  15. solarberg
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    Yeah bro. Nice one man. I bet it feels great to be able to play this song as well as you do. Now, can you imagine being able to WRITE such an amazing song?!? One that millions of people just totally get into? That’s got to be the ultimate.

  18. walterkon
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    My bad…guitar strap casts shadow on the body…I must be going crazy…but GREAT COVER!!!

  19. walterkon
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    What kind of guit are you playing? Is it just me or is that the thinest acoustic I’ve ever seen?

  22. goldenjag
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    I think it is worth it even if it is your only guitar. There are a lot more songs to play like Sister and if you capo at the 3rd fret you can play The Idea Of You. You can also play original music on any guitar in any tuning. As for the electric songs from ‘Everyday’ are excellent in my opinion. The people who call the songs ‘weak’ are narrow minded and too weak themselves to allow an artist room to grow in new directions. If you dislike the songs, then skip them, there is no need to dis them.

  23. PigCrushMe
    -

    you should probably mention that you should only do this if you have two guitars cause it’s pointless to restring a whole guitar to play roughly 3 songs, YNK, SoL, and Oh.. besides the weak everyday songs that are meant for electric

Comments are closed.