CGCFA#

[yeggi]

so my band plays in drop c and i figured id give it a whirl since they cry all the time about me playing in standard, but ive hit a wall. it makes sense that i would have to tune all string up..? and when i get to the "D" string to try and tune it to "F"... there is no "F" on my chromatic tuner...

[KratosNL]

Umm you know dropping usually gotta do something with it going down, so you tune down and not up. And with a drop (fill in the blank) tuning you also only drop your lowest string.

[socialleper]

What was your "E" string will go down two full steps, then your remaining strings go down one full step.

Unless you are trying to use a 5-string bass and trying to tune your "B" up; but that is a terrible solution because now your others strings have to go up like 3 steps or something and would probably break even with the lightest gauge. You can really only do it with a four string bass and some .115 or .110 gauge strings.

[yeggi]

well when doing my search it seems everyone likes the CGCFA# tuning but im not tuning my "E" to "C", itd be going to "G", thats going up. and yes im using a 5 string thats where my problems come in

[KratosNL]

Well, that's just kinda weird to do, you'll have to buy all different gauge strings. Have your band play in drop B or something. Seems like most bands where the bassists use a 5 banger do. (At least in my local metal scene, dunno what kind of music you play)

[bassmonkeee]

I have no idea why I'm wading into this whole dropped C thing. It makes me feel old.

So, they play in "dropped C." Wouldn't that mean that they are tuned to D with the bottom string tuned down to C?

Why are you deciding to make your B string into an E String?

Standard tuning for a guitar is EADGBE. Dropped D tuning is DGCFAD. Dropped C tuning on a guitar is CGCFAD.


Standard tuning for a 5 string bass is BEADG. Dropped D tuning would be ADGCF. You should try tuning to GCGCF.

[bigtiny]

I feel older (and my experience is mostly in playing jazz) so forgive me, but what does anybody care how you tune your bass? I mean, as long as you are all playing in the same key, what difference does it make how you play in that key on your bass?

Somebody enlighten me, please...

bigtiny

[yeggi]

its not that im giving in to them wanting me to change, its just that i want to learn a song in drop c to give me something to practice in my bedroom. i cant find anything to practice in standard for speed, if you can help thatd be great

[Stick_Player]

there is no "F" on my chromatic tuner...

Then you don't have a chromatic tuner.

what does anybody care how you tune your bass? I mean, as long as you are all playing in the same key, what difference does it make how you play in that key on your bass?

Somebody enlighten me, please...

The idea is to get a 'bigger/fatter sound'. As amps/speakers, especially bass and speakers, have increased the lower frequency reproduction, so goes the desire to reach down into the lower pitches. And there are other reasons, I'm sure.

Alternate tuning is as old as the first string instrument - scordatura.

The OP needs to get a drop-C set of strings and not use a standard-tuning set.

[BZadlo]

Originally Posted by bigtiny

I feel older (and my experience is mostly in playing jazz) so forgive me, but what does anybody care how you tune your bass? I mean, as long as you are all playing in the same key, what difference does it make how you play in that key on your bass?

Somebody enlighten me, please...

bigtiny

+1
I don't get needing to tune more than one string down unless you want that floppy tuned down sound (which I think does sound cool).

[rockstarbassist]

My band plays in drop C. I'm not old or incapable/unable to play in anything besides standard E like it seems a lot of people here are, but on my 5'er I tune ACGCF. I like having my C on the 3rd fret on the B and a lot of times it sounds a lot better than an open string, which usually I am not a fan of, except when it's required for hammer ons/offs, and that translates into even when I'm playing in standard E also. Just like the feel and oomph of a fretted note better.

But yes technically it should be GCGCF, but 2 steps down on the B is just, whew, and I like having that matching note at the 3rd fret. Much easier to reach when playing quickly.

I love how so many nubs here look at alternate tunings as being "inadequate". It's actually a lotta fun and most people I see "knock it" wouldn't know what to do with it if they attempted it in the first place, so that's probably a lot of it. Std. E just gets boring after a while. I'm actually trying to push them all the way down to Bb, but that'll take some extreme prodding...

[bigtiny]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

My band plays in drop C. I'm not old or incapable/unable to play in anything besides standard E like it seems a lot of people here are, but on my 5'er I tune ACGCF. I like having my C on the 3rd fret on the B and a lot of times it sounds a lot better than an open string, which usually I am not a fan of, except when it's required for hammer ons/offs, and that translates into even when I'm playing in standard E also. Just like the feel and oomph of a fretted note better.

But yes technically it should be GCGCF, but 2 steps down on the B is just, whew, and I like having that matching note at the 3rd fret. Much easier to reach when playing quickly.

I love how so many nubs here look at alternate tunings as being "inadequate". It's actually a lotta fun and most people I see "knock it" wouldn't know what to do with it if they attempted it in the first place, so that's probably a lot of it. Std. E just gets boring after a while. I'm actually trying to push them all the way down to Bb, but that'll take some extreme prodding...

I'm still confused about the OPs original statement. I GET IT that some individuals may want to use alternate tunings (though I welcome all of the comments that have been made), but what I'm confused about is that he says "my band plays in dropped C tuning....they are all crying because I wasn't....." (paraphrase).

So, as I said above, I get it that individuals want to use alternate tuning schemes for various personal reasons, but I DON'T understand why this guy's bandmates would care how he tuned....I feel like I'm missing something (cultural rather than musical???)

Can anyone enlighten me?

bigtiny

[Stick_Player]

Can anyone enlighten me?

I think it's the same reason why all the New York Yankees wear matching uniforms and play with the same kind of ball.

The guys in OPs band can all play unison lines with the same fingerings. It's a camaraderie-thing.

Maybe the chicks dig it, too.

[somegeezer]

Why bother dropping at all if you've got your 5th string? >.< You have a low C already. You don't need to do any stupid tuning just because your guitarists are retards. Learn to play in standard. If you have a 4 string, tune that down to what they're playing with. But it seems pointless with a 5 string. Tuning up to C doesn't work either. You gotta tune down still.

[OOZMAN]

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

Standard tuning for a guitar is EADGBE. Dropped D tuning is DGCFAD. Dropped C tuning on a guitar is CGCFAD.


Standard tuning for a 5 string bass is BEADG. Dropped D tuning would be ADGCF. You should try tuning to GCGCF.

Thats standard D, dropped D is DADGBE on guitar, and ADADG with your system.

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

My band plays in drop C. I'm not old or incapable/unable to play in anything besides standard E like it seems a lot of people here are, but on my 5'er I tune ACGCF. I like having my C on the 3rd fret on the B and a lot of times it sounds a lot better than an open string, which usually I am not a fan of, except when it's required for hammer ons/offs, and that translates into even when I'm playing in standard E also. Just like the feel and oomph of a fretted note better.

But yes technically it should be GCGCF, but 2 steps down on the B is just, whew, and I like having that matching note at the 3rd fret. Much easier to reach when playing quickly.

I love how so many nubs here look at alternate tunings as being "inadequate". It's actually a lotta fun and most people I see "knock it" wouldn't know what to do with it if they attempted it in the first place, so that's probably a lot of it. Std. E just gets boring after a while. I'm actually trying to push them all the way down to Bb, but that'll take some extreme prodding...

+1 for ACGCF, thats DROPPED C on a 5 string IMO

[OOZMAN]

Originally Posted by yeggi

and when i get to the "D" string to try and tune it to "F"... there is no "F" on my chromatic tuner...

Use harmonics to tune, therefore you only need the tuner for one string, or you could go off a guitarist (no tuner! )

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Why bother dropping at all if you've got your 5th string? >.< You have a low C already. You don't need to do any stupid tuning just because your guitarists are retards. Learn to play in standard. If you have a 4 string, tune that down to what they're playing with. But it seems pointless with a 5 string. Tuning up to C doesn't work either. You gotta tune down still.

Except some people aren't Adam Clayton and play more than quarter notes. I love seeing crap like this when it's obvious posters have little to 0 experience with this. It's a forum-wide disease and is pathetic, IMO.

We all get it- it's too difficult for you. No shame in that.

[rockstarbassist]

Originally Posted by OOZMAN

+1 for ACGCF, thats DROPPED C on a 5 string IMO

Correct. I'm tempted to go back and try it with the low G again, but eh- I again just love having the low fretted C on the 3rd fret.

[ysand]

Why on earth they "cry all the time" about u playing in standard tuning with a 5string????
You play the same notes they want! You already have a low C.
You should start crying all the ti me that they don't have a low B to play your songs. :P

In a serious apporach, there's no point of it than satisfying the "i wanna play in a different tuning to feel i'm sticking out from the mass". The thing is to do that with your music, and the tuning has almost nthn to do with that.

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by ysand

Why on earth they "cry all the time" about u playing in standard tuning with a 5string????
You play the same notes they want! You already have a low C.
You should start crying all the ti me that they don't have a low B to play your songs. :P

In a serious apporach, there's no point of it than satisfying the "i wanna play in a different tuning to feel i'm sticking out from the mass". The thing is to do that with your music, and the tuning has almost nthn to do with that.

Flame me if you want, but I agree. Except certain special situations, I find that most bands/players detune to seem "cool" or to be "different".