Bass theory question

[Greenman72]

I have a regular, 4-string bass, tuned EADG.
I tune my bass down one half-step.
I play the open string on the 4th (top) string.
What note am I playing?

 

[SteveCS]

The correct answer, "It depends on the key", is not in the survey.

 

[onda'bass]

do you know music in Fbb or D#? I'd say Eb is the most logical choice.

 

[ardgedee]

Eb unless you're transposing. In which case it's whatever the bandleader says it is.

 

[SteveCS]

do you know music in Fbb or D#? I'd say Eb is the most logical choice.

D# also appears in the keys E major, B major, F# major and C# major, as well as E and F# minor.

 

[FatStringer52]

Well, let's see. If you drop the E-string down a whole step it's called Drop D tuning. And, if you drop all 4 stings down a half step it's called Eb standard. But the correct answer was given by @SteveCS above.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

The correct answer, "It depends on the key", is not in the survey.

This is the correct answer.
Dropping each string down a half step is generally referred to as Eb Standard tuning but the what you call the note you play in that tuning is relative to the key/chord you are playing.
Example:
A Bb note in an Eb chord in not an A#.

 

[Wasnex]

The answer can vary.

Let's assume you are tuned to a specific pitch reference. AFAIK A = 440 is the most common.

If you are going by sound, you could call it Eb or D#. When the tone is is the reference, it's called concert pitch. The name would change depending on the key your are in. Eb and D# are enharmonic, or the same pitch.

However, it's not all that uncommon for people to tune down and still think of it as an open E string. This can work fine as long as everyone in the band is detuned by the same amount. For example if the guitar and keyboard is also tuned down a half step, it's fine to call it open E. However if one of the other instruments is not detuned by the same interval, then it causes communication problems.

The resulting problem is actually common in ensembles because many instruments are what we call "transposing." For example Bb trumpet, Eb saxophone are transposing instruments. When a Bb trumpet plays a C it sounds like concert Bb. When an Eb sax plays a C it sounds like concert Eb. On your detuned bass, a C would sound like a B natural. This is confusing, so hopefully I did it right .

To navigate this problem the players must know both the pitch native to the instrument as well as the concert pitch. Additionally, if the band has a conductor, then he/she must know the transposition intervals for all instruments. If I remember correctly the score is actually written in each instrument's native key.

In some cases a musician might choose to play an instrument in a different native key. For example a Tuba player might use a C instrument or a Bb instrument. AFAIK Tuba parts are normally written in concert key, so if the Tuba player uses a Bb instrument they will have to transpose (use different fingerings).

The modern French horn is even more complicated. I believe the modern horn essentially has two sides. One side is transposing to Bb and the other side F. It's sort of like switching between a Bb and F instrument. I believe the native key is considered F, but the fingering changes depending on which side of the horn is being used.

You may not know it, but bass guitar is actually a transposing instrument. When you play the open E string, which is written as E2, it sounds an octave lower E1.

 

[Mingo Sanders]

Pi.

 

[Koshchei]

There are a number of possibilities:
1) Eb, based on key.
2) D#, based on key.
3) Scordatura E, where it sounds as Eb.

 

[MCS4]

E flat or D sharp, although E flat is probably more commonly used since that particular tuning seems to typically be referred to as E flat tuning. I don't believe I've ever heard anyone say that "guitars and basses play in sharps" though.

 

[Peteyboy]

Trumpets can be Bb. I've never heard one referred to as A#.

 

[Wasnex]

I don't believe I've ever heard anyone say that "guitars and basses play in sharps" though.

IMHO, the statement is a somewhat common exaggeration. String instruments can play in both flat or sharp keys, but many consider it easier overall for them to play in sharp keys.

For awhile the concert band I was in seemed to play a lot of pieces in Gb major. After awhile I felt more at home in Gb than F#.

 

[groovaholic]

I have a regular, 4-string bass, tuned EADG.
I tune my bass down one half-step.
I play the open string on the 4th (top) string.
What note am I playing?

As soon as you start playing a piece of music, the naming of the pitch would be in context of that piece of music.
But without a compositional context, the default tuning of the instrument becomes the context.

So IMO - it's E flat because you're tuning down from E standard.
If your normal tuning was D standard, and you tuned up a half-step, I'd call that tuning D#

 

[Sam Dingle]

you're playing an Eb. if the pianist asks what note it is Eb,

If its a band with two guitarists and a bassist and everyone tunes down a half step, then call keys as if they are in standard so 3rd fret on the low string is "Key of G" but its really Gb

 

[J-Bass RMR]

This isn't so much a "theory" issue.
If you tune down 1/2 step from "standard" tuning, your bass is tuned to E flat.
It doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.

 

[Wasnex]

Trumpets can be Bb. I've never heard one referred to as A#.

Not really the same thing. Bb is the native key of the instrument. The native key doesn't determine which enharmonic is appropriate for writing out the music. It basically means when a Bb instrument plays written C it sounds like Bb concert.

Trumpet should definitely expect to see music with written Bb and A#.

 

[InhumanResource]

Eb unless you're transposing. In which case it's whatever the bandleader says it is.

What if he tunes down to d and then up to d#?

 

[singlemalt]

Don’t worry about, just enjoy the reduced tension.
Be like your strings, more relaxed!

 

[onda'bass]

D# also appears in the keys E major, B major, F# major and C# major, as well as E and F# minor.

yea, but you said depends on key as in D#, and thats is not a key nor is Fbb.