• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Am I taking the easy way out by drop tuning?

jmone

jmone

Mar 1, 2010
483
273
#1
I'm working with a singer on a tune and it's more comfortable for them to change the key to E-. I'm playing a 4-string and there's a lot of i, IV chords.

My first instinct was to detune a 1/2 step so I can still play on frets. Not that I think I'm incapable of transposing, but I really don't like grooving on open strings.

Am I taking the easy way out? Am I passing up a good opportunity to get better at something I'm not comfortable with?
 
#3
Eb tuning is very popular and there is no shame in using it. Ease/difficulty aside, drop tunings can sound great. :)

Most bassists would consider Emin to be an "easy" key, but everyone is a little different.

I would encourage you to, eventually, become equally comfortable with all 12 major keys and all 12 minor keys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone and buldog5151bass
#4
buldog5151bass said:
You are playing in Fm - lots of long stretches. That's not easy either. I think it's good to be comfortable on open strings, but if it works for you, it works...
Click to expand...

Mushroo said:
Eb tuning is very popular and there is no shame in using it. Ease/difficulty aside, drop tunings can sound great. :)

Most bassists would consider Emin to be an "easy" key, but everyone is a little different.

I would encourage you to, eventually, become equally comfortable with all 12 major keys and all 12 minor keys.
Click to expand...

I can see why Emin would be "easy" but I personally find it a lot easier to cut short the sustain of a fretted note by lifting my finger versus, bringing my hand onto the fretboard. However it seems like I should just take advantage of the time to work on something I'm obviously not completely comfortable with.

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: buldog5151bass
#5
I do not see it as "taking the easy way out".. it just do what works better for you.. It may be easier too. If tune down to Eb works better, then do it. If playing half step lower works better, then play half step lower.

As for "getting better"...well, in my opinion that's what practices are for. You try to get better, try to be better, with practices.

What I mean with practice is those finger exercises, reading exercises, scales, modes, chords etc, that you do in your regular practice sessions alone at home. In my opinion, that's how we get better. While rehearsing with the band is just rehearsing songs that you're going to play. You'll get better in playing the songs, but that's all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone and Mushroo
#6
Do what makes the best music.

Honestly, I'd say no shame in drop tuning if that's what makes the music come out best. For the sake of your own development, I'd also say no harm in practicing it at home in standard tuning and see if it stretches your skills. If you get good at it that way, you could still play the tune if someone called it on the fly.

I was just recording a cover of Seal's song "Waiting for You." It starts with this fast run in F that bounces alternating between the root and notes running up the scale. When I was trying to learn the song it was killing me, not so much hitting the notes as trying to mute it so it wasn't a mess. Then, last practice, it dawned on me that I could drop tune my highest string from G to F. All of a sudden it was perfectly simple, just playing along the one string. I still try it the other way from time to time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone and Mushroo
#8
Mushroo said:
Eb tuning is very popular and there is no shame in using it.
Click to expand...
There is if I have anything to say about it. Personally hate Eb tuning on Fender-scale BGs. The hate is real. Feels godawful.

If you want to avoid open strings, buy a 5-string. It can play those notes without jacking the bass all around. It's why I got mine; I was playing a bunch of heavy music and those low notes need to not be land-locked.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mushroo
#11
jmone said:
I can see why Emin would be "easy" but I personally find it a lot easier to cut short the sustain of a fretted note by lifting my finger versus, bringing my hand onto the fretboard.
Click to expand...

A lot of players are not aware, did you know you use BOTH hands to mute/dampen notes? You have 8 fingers, 2 thumbs, and 2 palms to choose from, when it comes to muting/dampening technique. :)

BassChuck said:
Why does the E have be on the open string? or even the lowest sound?
Click to expand...

Nobody is saying the OP "has to" play low E (E1). E in a higher octave (E2) is also a perfectly valid artistic choice. :)

That said, playing the open low E string is a very common thing that a lot of bassists can do. Good to have in your skill set. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone and eff-clef
#12
jmone said:
I'm working with a singer on a tune and it's more comfortable for them to change the key to E-. I'm playing a 4-string and there's a lot of i, IV chords.

My first instinct was to detune a 1/2 step so I can still play on frets. Not that I think I'm incapable of transposing, but I really don't like grooving on open strings.

Am I taking the easy way out? Am I passing up a good opportunity to get better at something I'm not comfortable with?
Click to expand...
Palm muting is helpful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone
#13
If there's only 1 song in the set that "needs" drop tuning, then i'd suggest you learn how mute with both hands because drop tuning for 1 song makes zero sense.
However, if the whole set needs drop tuning, then do that.
A well skilled bassist should be just as adept with open strings as they are with fretting notes.
Jamerson used open strings to great effect in his basslines.
You can mute with either hand.
This is an excuse for OP to learn a new skill.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone, Artman and Wasnex
#15
jmone said:
I'm working with a singer on a tune and it's more comfortable for them to change the key to E-. I'm playing a 4-string and there's a lot of i, IV chords.

My first instinct was to detune a 1/2 step so I can still play on frets. Not that I think I'm incapable of transposing, but I really don't like grooving on open strings.

Am I taking the easy way out? Am I passing up a good opportunity to get better at something I'm not comfortable with?
Click to expand...

It really depends on on the reasoning behind your decision. If you are tuning down because your muting technique sucks, then yes you're taking the easy way out. Consider practicing your open string muting technique.

However if you are tuning down because the open strings have a noticeably different timbre that is taking away from the song, then no, your not taking the easy way out. I actually find it easier to play in E minor than F minor. Consider changing strings or the bass's nut so the tonal balance is more consistent between fretted notes and the open strings.

I originally played string bass, so I have always been very comfortable using open strings. With most of my electric basses, the tonal difference between first fret and open strings is noticeable but minimal. It's about the same as the difference in tone between 2nd fret and 1st fret; just progressively brighter. One of my basses has a brass nut. With this bass the open strings are drastically brighter than fretted notes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone
#17
jmone said:
I'm working with a singer on a tune and it's more comfortable for them to change the key to E-. I'm playing a 4-string and there's a lot of i, IV chords.

My first instinct was to detune a 1/2 step so I can still play on frets. Not that I think I'm incapable of transposing, but I really don't like grooving on open strings.

Am I taking the easy way out? Am I passing up a good opportunity to get better at something I'm not comfortable with?
Click to expand...
I don't really understand the conundrum. If you want a lower note, you need to tune lower. A low Eb sound different than an Eb on the A or D.
Decide what you want and go with it.
What I really don't get is your opposition to opens. Why make your life harder?
 
#18
There's nothing inherently wrong with using whatever tunings you are comfortable with, but I think it is a hassle to keep changing tunings from song to song unless you have a quick-change solution like a Hipshot D-tuner (which I have on one of my guitars but not on a bass). Or on guitar I will occasionally use a capo, but I've never tried that with bass.

I play a five string bass. Sometimes I play low E at the fifth fret of the low B string, sometimes I just play the open E string - depends on what feels right for the particular song, but having options is good.
Mushroo said:
You have 8 fingers, 2 thumbs, and 2 palms to choose from, when it comes to muting/dampening technique.
Click to expand...
I use my feet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmone and Mushroo

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back