Atlernative tunings ?s

[daratter]

Ive recently begun to explore the world of alternative tunings and need some help as I have found a lot of conflicting info out here and I know this is not a difficult concept but I think I'm just confusing myself more than necessary.

Im in a band that we typically play in standard D (whole step down). When I had my 4 string, I had no problems with this tuning. I recently got a 5 string and so I tuned all 5 strings a whole step down. For standard D on a 5 string, is this the right tuning?

My second question is that we are trying to do Amon Amarth songs and they use some Drop A tunings, what would this look like on the 5 string?

[wetzelman1]

typically in metal with a 5 string, you'll tune the first 4 strings to the tuning and then have a low string. Lets you hit those low octaves smoothly. I find notes higher on the neck to be more "sonically pleasing" so during chugs and opens, you can hit a much cleaner note.

[daratter]

Thank you Wetzelman1, I will try this at the next practice and see how it plays. Im very new to the 5th string still.

Anyone have advice on the drop A?

[Yools]

Originally Posted by daratter

Im in a band that we typically play in standard D (whole step down). When I had my 4 string, I had no problems with this tuning. I recently got a 5 string and so I tuned all 5 strings a whole step down. For standard D on a 5 string, is this the right tuning?

That is correct. I've used that tuning for years - I've played 5-stings since the early '90s, and the guitar player I've played with most over the years would always tune to standard D.

Originally Posted by daratter

Thank you Wetzelman1, I will try this at the next practice and see how it plays. Im very new to the 5th string still.

Anyone have advice on the drop A?

Drop A on a 5 string is simply standard tuning for the top 4 strings (E - A - D - G) with the low-B string dropped a whole step to A.