Being in a different tuning then guitarist?

yaboiimizz · #1 04-19-2011, 06:48 AM

So my band plays in drop B and i dont really like to tune that low because i just dont like how it sounds, and it just makes it a whole lot harder to cut through. But luckily i have a 5er and im thinking about just staying in standard.

So anyone done something like this? i know Brian Marshall from Alter Bridge does it and it works out pretty good for him.

Billnc · #2 04-19-2011, 07:04 AM

Stay in standard. Guitar players have been altering tunings forever. We don't have to change, if you have an extended range instrument.

tdub0199 · #3 04-19-2011, 07:15 AM

I would also just stay in standard on a fiver...

bwest9 · #4 04-19-2011, 07:26 AM

I'd reverse it-- go guitarist, then different tuning.

**rhino333** · #5 04-19-2011, 07:51 AM

Guitarists have been using open tunings forever (how about blues slide players). In all my time I've never changed my tuning either in a 4 or a 5 string.

StyleOverShow · #6 04-19-2011, 07:57 AM

Shouldn't make a difference...get a little confusing if you're watching each other for hand position to determine chord changes....but otherwise, play what comes natural.

LuckyBassPlayer · #7 04-19-2011, 08:01 AM

I don't mind tuning down my bass/guitar, I just hate drop tunings, it confuses me, and it just doesn't make sense other than making open power chords. Now for the answer, no, I think you should just stay in standard, where have you got that added B string for?

essentre · #8 04-19-2011, 08:03 AM

I ran into this problem as well and I really wasn't sure how to approach it. I play in two bands, a cover band that tunes to Eb, and now this original band which tuned to dropped B. I only have so many basses, so to have different setups on them for different bands is tough. I first considered dropping my 4 down and having it setup accordingly because I like playing a 4-string better. After thinking about it I decided that probably wasn't the best idea. Like you I also have a 5-string and was considering staying in standard tuning. That posed a problem for me because there are alot of fast, open chord riffs that are 10x easier to play if I'm in the correct tuning as the guitars. I don't really want to be all over the fretboard just to play a simple riff.

What I do now is just leave the low B as is and tune up the other strings. I initially didn't want to do this but after having it done and adjusting the bass, it plays great and it sounds really good. I'd suggest giving that a try assuming your guys tune like we do...

B
F#
B
E
G#

yaboiimizz · #9 04-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by essentre

I ran into this problem as well and I really wasn't sure how to approach it. I play in two bands, a cover band that tunes to Eb, and now this original band which tuned to dropped B. I only have so many basses, so to have different setups on them for different bands is tough. I first considered dropping my 4 down and having it setup accordingly because I like playing a 4-string better. After thinking about it I decided that probably wasn't the best idea. Like you I also have a 5-string and was considering staying in standard tuning. That posed a problem for me because there are alot of fast, open chord riffs that are 10x easier to play if I'm in the correct tuning as the guitars. I don't really want to be all over the fretboard just to play a simple riff.

What I do now is just leave the low B as is and tune up the other strings. I initially didn't want to do this but after having it done and adjusting the bass, it plays great and it sounds really good. I'd suggest giving that a try assuming your guys tune like we do...

B
F#
B
E
G#

I have the same situation as you, the fast riffs and stuff where in B tuning it would be close and easy to play in standard its more a stretch. And yes i was thinking about tuning up.

But i think i'll just keep it in standard for now, if i run into any real problems i'll just tune it up i guess.
Thanks.

JTE · #10 04-19-2011, 10:49 AM

It's just notes. Violon/fiddle players are always in different tunings than the guitarist, as are banjo players, dobro players, etc. If the guitarist switched from standard tuning to an open G, would you retune your bass?

John

mambo4 · #11 04-19-2011, 02:12 PM

The ONLY reasons to use altered tunings are because you like the sound
(including being able to reach lower notes,)
or rarely to make particular patterns easier to finger.
It should have nothing to do with the guitar.
If you don't like how it sounds to tune that way, then don't.

jp58 · #12 04-19-2011, 03:33 PM

B-E-A-D

I've played bead off and on since I picked up the bass, Hasn't bothered me yet.

scottbass · #13 04-19-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

The ONLY reasons to use altered tunings are because you like the sound
(including being able to reach lower notes,)
or rarely to make particular patterns easier to finger.
It should have nothing to do with the guitar.
If you don't like how it sounds to tune that way, then don't.

This. /\

**VincentSalizeri** · #14 04-20-2011, 07:47 AM

As long as your lowest note is an octave below the guitar's lowest note, you'll be fine. If you can only go as low as E1, it might not mix too well when the guitars are playing some of their lower notes. OTOH, it might make a few riffs kind of non-intuitive, depending on what you're playing.

caden000 · #15 04-20-2011, 04:07 PM

yep, the bassist for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club stays in standard while the guitarist is usually in open tunings. ive done it before, no need to tune down.

SMILEYSIXX · #16 04-20-2011, 05:01 PM

I played with my fiver in C sttandard while my guitarist was in drop C. It turned out being easier that way because of the way the progressions were.

Minotauros · #17 04-21-2011, 12:47 PM

OK, let me figure this out...

The guitarist is whole step down in DGCFAD, I'm in standard and don't want to tune down. He plays Emaj shape 022100, which is actually Dmaj in DGCFAD, so I play the notes of the Dmaj triad D F# A (if I play R 3 5). Right?