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Alternate tunings

B

basskidd

Guest
Jul 25, 2011
168
15
Chicago
rudybless.virb.com
#1
Hey

I've recently developed an interest in alternate tunings on guitar (ever since I got my weissenborn style guitar), and took it up to my 12 string acoustic as well. Some really cool stuff available. But, bass is my main instrument, and I found myself wondering about alternate tunings on bass. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck finding / developing an alternate tuning (in the vain of the hyperbass I guess)? Whats the best way to start finding your way around in it? Also, any cool tunings for a 6 string bass?

Be well
 
#2
Hi basskid,

That's great that you're interested in altered tunings - I can testify that they're fantastic fun!

Altered tunings on bass is something that has been well developed for a while now. All you have to do is check out Michael Manring, who has pioneered the use of altered tunings on bass.

Thanks to Michael leading the way, there are now lots of people who utilise them. A good place to start if you're experimenting would be to use an open tuning. For example, DGDG or GGDG.

Good luck and have fun!

Zander

www.zanderzon.com
 
#3
I was pointed to a pretty great link yesterday, a quite lengthy and detailed guide to various alternate tunings. It's intended for 6 string guitar but it should be useful for bass or other stringed instruments too.

http://sethares.engr.wisc.edu/alternatetunings/alltunings.pdf

I've never seen anything so exhaustive up to this point, I've only just skimmed it but it seems like it could be useful for anyone interested in learning more. Hope others find this as useful and interesting as I do!
 
#4
I'm glad you guys are interested in altered tunings! If you haven't checked out Zander's music, please do so at your earliest convenience! He's doing absolutely gorgeous work.

I did a series of articles for Bass Player magazine in the '90's covering a lot of my thoughts about the tonal implications of altered tunings on the bass. I'm not sure if they're still available somewhere, but that's the most complete information I've compiled on the subject so far. Perhaps that would be helpful to you?
 
#6
Thanks, Zander. With all the other projects going on these days I've had precious little time to spend on my own solo music. Nevertheless, I have a ton of new music I'm very anxious to record and I hope to have a bit of time to work on it in the coming months.
 
#8
I'm (a nobody lol) but have been working on some material tuned FCDG (if you're willing to put the tension on your a string) and it's really quite beautiful.

hopefully finishing up a recording this week~ I'll be sure to post it!
 

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