For those that tune in fifths?

[mat b]

Can you explain your reasoning to me? I've been messing around with it and I have a couple of points and Questions.


It seems like it would transfer well to electric bass. Major scale on two string and in one position! Sweet! Also I increases the range of the four string quite a bit.

Here's my problem/question. It seems like it would work out well for single notes. But I seem to be shifting up to hit the 4th of a major scale and immediately shift back to hit the 5th. This seems less economical then being tuned in fourths, no shifting... Second, it seems that when I tune in fifths I lose all of the chordal fingerings, 1-3-5, 1-3-7, 11ths and sus chords... Etc. How do you guys get around these issues? Do you generally stick to single note lines and avoid 3 and 4 note chords? What styles of music do you play tuned in fifths? Classical/baroque? Jazz?

[AcidFripp]

Me, I don't tune in fifths. But I'm thinking that it could be used well for jazz. And, as you said, perhaps classical as well.
The only thing that's stopping me now is the fact that my tuner doesn't have a C and I can't tune by ear. Also, the fact that it would be hard to re-learn the notes and such, don't you know?

[j.stemmler]

Originally Posted by AcidFripp

Me, I don't tune in fifths. But I'm thinking that it could be used well for jazz.

i'd have to disagree. i dont think a tuning would lend itself in any way to any specific genre.

all a tuning does is change your fingerings. it cant make you understand chord progressions, or key changes, or hit chord tones, or do anything in anyway to make you sound like a jazz musician. regardless of where notes land on your fingerboard, it is still up to the musician to "connect the dots" and create the music.

changing your tuning to 5ths is really only helpful is you are A) trying new chord voicings with large gaps (such as 5ths, 6ths, etc) B) a cello player turned bassist

[AcidFripp]

Originally Posted by j.stemmler

i'd have to disagree. i dont think a tuning would lend itself in any way to any specific genre.

all a tuning does is change your fingerings. it cant make you understand chord progressions, or key changes, or hit chord tones, or do anything in anyway to make you sound like a jazz musician. regardless of where notes land on your fingerboard, it is still up to the musician to "connect the dots" and create the music.

changing your tuning to 5ths is really only helpful is you are A) trying new chord voicings with large gaps (such as 5ths, 6ths, etc) B) a cello player turned bassist

Well, I guess you are right. However, it can possibly make some common chord progressions easier to play... I dunno, man.
And it can be well useful if you want to try something cool or play a cello suite or somehting. Perhaps I should tune in fifths... yeah...