drop D tuning emergency

rglanz77 · #1 11-04-2009, 06:20 PM

on my next performance we are going to play a song wich requires a Drop D tuning, but when it finishes, we are going to play inmediatly a song wich requires a Standard tuning. any tips of what to do, or what to use, what would you do?

MrGotBass · #2 11-04-2009, 06:21 PM

Play all the notes two frets higher up the neck on the E string, so open would be 2nd fret, 5th would be 7th, etc.

dmusic148 · #3 11-04-2009, 06:22 PM

Lose the giant, bold font? That'd be a start.

jpfbass · #4 11-04-2009, 06:26 PM

Just tell your guitarist you need a few seconds to tune up. So when your close to ending the drop D song, move over to your amp while your still playing, and when the songs over mute the amp, plug into a tuner and your ready to go. I'm sure your band will be fine with it, no one cares about a few seconds in between songs. However, if you keep doing these types of sets you might want to invest in one of those devices that automatically drops and raises your tuning to a preset key.

totallybacan · #5 11-04-2009, 06:26 PM

hipshot! For next time, I would invest in a hipshot xtender. For now, at the end of the song just do a harmonic tune. should take under 2 seconds for a quick tune

fivestringgecko · #6 11-04-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGotBass

Play all the notes two frets higher up the neck on the E string, so open would be 2nd fret, 5th would be 7th, etc.

If you're tuning your WHOLE BASS down a full step, MrGotBass is right on... just tune down to D (D G C F) and then the 2nd frets become "standard" tuning, E A D G.

If you're only tuning your E string down to D, you could go with a Hipshot Bass Xtender (a.k.a. detuner). They replace the tuner and with a flip of a switch, you can immediately tune from E to D or back.

Hipshot Bass Xtender website

Or......... you could just get a five string and not have to worry about it.

lol

5sg.

Phalex · #7 11-04-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallybacan

hipshot! For next time, I would invest in a hipshot xtender. For now, at the end of the song just do a harmonic tune. should take under 2 seconds for a quick tune

This!!!!

I have a hipshot D tuner on my bass for several tunes we do in drop D. A couple of weeks ago, I played my 5 string acoustic at an acoustic thing we did. I figured with 5 strings, I didn't have to worry about detuning.

Mistake!! I probably should have practiced with that bass, but things weren't where I was used to them being.

Playing a whole step high on one string is trickier than you think!! Either get a D-tuner, or take a second and retune. Don't make the same mistake that I did!!!!

MrGotBass · #8 11-05-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivestringgecko

If you're tuning your WHOLE BASS down a full step, MrGotBass is right on...

Umm... why do I only get partial credit with this answer? Not trying to sound defensive, I honestly want to know (I've never had proper lessons, since I can't afford it)

fivestringgecko · #9 11-05-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGotBass

Umm... why do I only get partial credit with this answer? Not trying to sound defensive, I honestly want to know (I've never had proper lessons, since I can't afford it)

Sure meant no offense! I play 5-strings and don't ever play drop D, so I don't know if you tune down just the E string or ALL strings, you know? The only thing I know about drop D tuning is what I've heard guitar players talk about and I think they only tune down the E string.

I suppose I could Google it or something, but I've never wanted/needed to play tuned down, so I've never put forth the effort to actually find out for sure.

Again, my apologies, I was just trying to cover both options with my response!

5sg.

PaleMelanesian · #10 11-05-2009, 10:28 AM

Right now, your choices are:
- quick retune
- learn to play the next song in drop-D (it's easier than it seems. You already have a D string and know the notes on it. This one is just an octave lower.)

For next time, a Hipshot d-tuner or a 5-string will help.

countrybassist · #11 11-05-2009, 02:29 PM

You call that an emergency? FGS! Tune it down for that song, then as mentioned above, play 2 frets higher until you can take the time to tune it back to an E. Oh, it's WHICH not WICH.

Kenner · #12 11-05-2009, 02:40 PM

I switch back and forth alot in a night. I go from my bass to a tuner to my effects and then amp. Step on the tuner pedal (it should mute you), tune, step on pedal again and play........maybe 10 seconds used up.........

davecanady · #13 11-30-2009, 04:09 PM

I take one bass for regular and one for my Drop C/Drop D songs. We layed out the sets so I don't have to switch back and forth. I only have to swap once a set. If something bad were to happen to one of my basses, I have my spare on stage ready to go.

BTW: I'm looking at the Hipshot myself. I'd really like to hear from musicians that use it.

Demon_Hunter · #14 11-30-2009, 04:23 PM

1) Keep the big font. I like it and can read it easily!!

2) If everybody else is in drop D and then the next song is in standard, what are they going to do?

TheBandit4130 · #15 11-30-2009, 04:27 PM

I would pick up a 5 string bass and learn the song on that so you can get that low end D that you need. Or, you can opt to leave your bass in dropped D because all the notes you will need for that standard tuning song are already available. Remember, just because the guitars are in a certain tuning, doesn't necessarily mean that the bass needs to be tuned the same way. You just have to play different frets than that of your guitar players.

stflbn · #16 11-30-2009, 04:29 PM

hit your floor tuner and tune the E string up. Should take about 2 seconds.

Or hit the A string harmonic, and the D/E string harmonic and pull the D/E up to tune. Should only take about 3/4 pulses to get it in tune. Practice it and you'll get very good at pulling it up. You'll even get to where you can get very close without even hearing it.

.

Leftybass12 · #17 11-30-2009, 04:45 PM

See if the band can segue into the song by giving you enough time to retune. I only assume that you have a stomp box tuner such as the Boss TU-2 tuner or a pedalboard with a built in tuner. It really shouldn't take you too much time, I ran into the same thing one time and what I just told you is what I did. Make that tuning change quick though, less than 10 seconds, 15 seconds at the most.

dkhp124 · #18 11-30-2009, 05:04 PM

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...oduct_list&c=6

Hipshot tuners FTW!

Pilgrim · #19 11-30-2009, 06:54 PM

Long range? Hipshot.

Meanwhile, if the only string you're dropping is the E, just practice a bit and you can deal with it. You should be able to play everything on the G, D and A strings in normal position - just move any notes in the next number up two frets on the E string. (Simpler-worded version of what's suggested above.)

This is also where a muting tuner like a Boss TU-2 helps...stomp it, re-tune in a moment, stomp again and play.

JanusZarate · #20 11-30-2009, 07:02 PM

As a satisfied user of a Hipshot Bass Xtender, I can attest that, when properly set up, it will annoy your guitarists. You'll be able to switch between drop-D and E standard with ease while they struggle to follow the LEDs on their tuners.

As long as you check on it now and then, and make sure to adjust it when changing string types or gauges, the Bass Xtender works nicely for this sort of thing.

In the meantime... I'd like to echo Demon_Hunter's comment. If you have to "immediately" change tunings between songs, what are your guitarists doing? It's rare that you would be the only person changing tunings in the band (to be fair, I change tunings on one song when no one else does, but considering the bassline I wrote for it, the change makes sense).

Unless a quick pause for tuning would greatly upset the momentum of the gig, then the band may as well take a five-second "tuning break" - unless your bandmates are the kinds of people who never mute while tuning...