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Cello Tuning. C-G-D-A

#24
Pacman said:
Cello tuning gives you nearly the same range as a 5 string with just 4 strings.
Click to expand...

This is why I'm interested--I'd have to sell one of my four bangers to get a fiver, as much as I want a Dingwall Combustion or some such thing. Anyways, I haven't seen a lot of response to this idea: is CGDA tuning appropriate for "standard" pop music? I.e. can a player re-learn to play these songs with the fifths tuning intervals? I really want to try this but I'm concerned it presents too many challenges and deep paradigm shifts after playing standard tuning for a decade... I mean, I can do walking bass in my sleep if it's standard tuning. But CGDA is going to make me feel like a baby again.
 
#26
cassius: I have my fretless Warwick Corvette tuned this way. As far as playing standard R&R, it is difficult, only because some of the real basic I V I things that are so ingrained in us now require much more movement.

Then again, it opens up so many other possibilities in terms of improv and chording that I think you would really get a great deal from having one tuned this way. I haven't really approached it too seriously yet, but just playing without thinking has led to some note choices I don't think I would have thought of previously.

Jeff: I'll have to try those Bach 'cello suites!

I'm not sure you'd want to do it on a Rick, however. Maybe find a relatively cheap FL and try it out?
 
#27
cassius987 said:
This is why I'm interested--I'd have to sell one of my four bangers to get a fiver, as much as I want a Dingwall Combustion or some such thing. Anyways, I haven't seen a lot of response to this idea: is CGDA tuning appropriate for "standard" pop music? I.e. can a player re-learn to play these songs with the fifths tuning intervals?
Click to expand...
Yeah, sure. Vocal-oriented pop music works great. The only things you might run into trouble with would be more guitar-oriented rock or metal stuff that expects you to have, say, open E and A strings.
 
#31
When I first started learning, I was going to try this tuning, but the E went too floppy when I got past tuning down to a D. I do kind of wish I had stuck with it, but I can always get another bass at some stage and keep that exclusively in cello tuning.

Edit: if you do try it in the end, let us know how you get on.
 
#32
A low B is perfect for the low C. Couple that with a slightly heavy A for the G, a standard D and a light G for the A and you're good to go. I was able to rig up a set from my used string drawer (cassius would be mortified at the lack of balance! :D ), but you could also make a custom set from singles.
 
#37
What I like about it is that some things that are very difficult (or things you never think of playing) are rather easy and things you are used to are quite difficult. So, it forces you to play like someone other than who you were before you picked the bass up.

Just try it - improvise anything and see if it sounds like anything you've ever done before.
 
#39
Finally! Been using the search function and found a thread that I can relate to! I'm a cellist-turned-bassist, so I consistently use C-G-D-A tuning.

I've been accused of "not really playing the bass" using this tuning, but seriously, what does it matter? I'm holding down the bottom either way, right?

Currently I'm using an E string tuned down to C, and like others before, it is rather floppy. I dug up this thread wondering what the opinion was about using a B tuned up to C, so I'm definitely going to try it.
 

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