Why is eadg the standard tuning?

BrandonBass · #1 08-05-2006, 07:05 AM

hmm yea

Der Bluten Kat · #2 08-05-2006, 07:08 AM

hmm yea if you don't like it then don't use it

BrandonBass · #3 08-05-2006, 07:18 AM

erm, no offense but u seem kinda rude, i just started playing and im wondering if theres any reason behind it.

weeding · #4 08-05-2006, 07:32 AM

Well, E A D G are a 4th between each other, meaning that each new string gives a reasonable change in range, without making the notes sound too sloppy. 4th are also convinient because they're part of the circle of fifths - ie. froma certain note, a 5th up is the same as a fourth down. However, other than that I don't really know. You'd have to go back to the invention of the double bass, which is ages and ages ago to find the real reason.

fretless Bob · #5 08-05-2006, 07:40 AM

well i dont really wanna give you some answer full of bull so im gonna think about first..........

it is in fourths so that everything is interchangable, meaning that if you play a G major scale on you 3rd fret E string you can move that up to your 10th fret A string and play the exact same shape, im sure this has lot to do with it,

as well as it being related to the other instruments in its family seeing as the idea came from doulbe bass and they are tuned like a violin and so on.

hope that helped a little

Dave

Turock · #6 08-05-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretless Bob

as well as it being related to the other instruments in its family seeing as the idea came from doulbe bass and they are tuned like a violin and so on.

You sure about that?

fretless Bob · #7 08-05-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turock

You sure about that?

well actually no, am i wrong?

one of the tutors at my college tuned hers like it, told me it was normal tuning, i always thought it was like cello tuning, so which is it?

Dave

werbo1 · #8 08-05-2006, 08:24 AM

Violins and Cellos are tuned in Fifths. G D A E I believe lowerst to highest.

BAsses were tuned in fourths so the positions were not as big

thebassclef · #9 08-05-2006, 08:55 AM

I'm not really sure "Why" it is tuned in fourths (EADG or other), but it does help with hand positioning. The fith fret on each string is the same note as the open note for the next highest string. this keeps you from having to move your hand so much when playin in scales and such. Other tunings are used (Dropped D etc..) and change this idea a bit.

Since you are just starting out, I would suggest staying in either standard or "Blues" tuning (Tune each string 1/2 step down to make it Eb, Ab, Db, Gb). This will make it easier to learn your fretboard and playing standard music notation. Once you get into things, and determine what kind of tunings your favorite artists use (Some MEtal is tuned 2 to 3 steps down), then you can change to that tuning and have a better understanding of WHY it is tuned that way.

Hope This Helped.

Otso · #10 08-05-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werbo1

Violins and Cellos are tuned in Fifths. G D A E I believe lowerst to highest.

BAsses were tuned in fourths so the positions were not as big

Violin is G D A E, Viola C G D A and Cello the same as a viola but an octave lower.

Matthew Bryson · #11 08-05-2006, 09:45 AM

I think that at least part of the answer that you are looking for is this:

EADG is the standard tuning because it covers the bass range. If you look at what notes your 4 string bass can produce, and where they would be written in standard notation, you'll see that the low E is written one ledger line below the staff and also that your high C (at G string, 5th fret) is written one ledger line above the staff.

vindy500 · #12 08-05-2006, 09:47 AM

they had to pick something

fretless Bob · #13 08-05-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by werbo1

Violins and Cellos are tuned in Fifths. G D A E I believe lowerst to highest.

BAsses were tuned in fourths so the positions were not as big

i konw basses are tuned in fourths and cellos are in fifths,

i always thought that tutor was stupid!

Dave

westland · #14 08-05-2006, 11:25 AM

Tuning stringed instruments in fourths EADG is ancient ... I think it used to be called something like the 'Hebrew Tuning' ... it's come down to basses through guitars, and I suspect is was standardized because it works, and musicians are too conservative to change.

fish slapper · #15 08-05-2006, 11:41 AM

Mandolin's also tuned in 5ths (same notes as violin GDAE - backwards from bass). What I can't figure out is the damn B string on a geetar. What's with that?

What puzzles me is if a bass is tuned in 4ths, why are rudementary basslines built on I V? Just giving the fingers something to do so we don't play open strings and barres all the time?

thebassclef · #16 08-05-2006, 11:45 AM

Yea, Why is the B string on a Geetar tuned to the 3rd?
Is it for chord shaping?

Edited 'cause of brain fart

vindy500 · #17 08-05-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish slapper

Mandolin's also tuned in 5ths (same notes as violin GDAE - backwards from bass). What I can't figure out is the damn B string on a geetar. What's with that?

What puzzles me is if a bass is tuned in 4ths, why are rudementary basslines built on I V? Just giving the fingers something to do so we don't play open strings and barres all the time?

haha yea once i had to tune the mandolin at work so i went on the net and found the tuning. i then proceeded to tune it like a bass not realsing i was tuning it upide down. got a few comments from customers lol. the b string on the guitar is mainly for bar chords. it also help for one fingered ska lines

jady · #18 08-05-2006, 11:57 AM

The bass guitar tuning comes from the DB tuning of fourths instead of 5ths. The reason the DB is tuned in 4ths is that it does not originate from the Violin family, it actually comes from the Gamba family of instruments. There was an entire range of instruments from soprano to bass Gamba all tuned in 4ths. This is why You can get a DB in violin or gamba form. There is a subtle difference in the neck joint and overall shape. The electric bass was originated cuz DB players couldnt compete with the Electric guitars amps and needed more volume so it copied the tuning being a replacement for the DB.

The guitars B string is tuned to a 3rd to bring the lowest and highest strings both to E enableing easier chord shapes. The guitar was more of a "peasant" instrument whereas the violin was more of a "socialite" instrument so the guitar was designed for more of a simple playing style.

If your really interensted in the history of the guitar, look into the lute (i did a music history paper on it in college). There are nutty variations of the lute that have harplike bass strings attached and a ton of strings.

clockworkwar · #19 08-05-2006, 01:10 PM

Yes it is, but you can change it.

The Dave · #20 08-05-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

hmm yea

I knew a guy who asked too many questions once... His family misses him very much.