Double Bass Double stops..

[Andy Mopley]

I know you should use your ears (and I do) but if you wanted to check against a digital (or other) tuner, for example, a major 3rd interval F# / A, can a tuner actually give you the added accuracy? I check the individual pitches, but not sure with double stops what a tuner hears?

Regards to all

 

[Don Kasper]

a major 3rd interval F# / A,

Did you mean A#?
It's been my experience that most tuners are Strictly Monogamous - One Note At a Time.
Thanks.

 

[Acoop]

Trust your ear.

 

[Andy Mopley]

Yes to: A# Acoop, monogamus it is.

Thanks

 

[Jon Stefaniak]

If you understand the difference between just intonation and equal tempered intonation, you'd know there is a bigger problem in your question than just how the tuner works.
With major/minor 3rds/6ths and 2nds/7ths, if you tune individual notes with your tuner, then play the double stops exactly the same it will sound pretty funky.
4ths/5ths and unison/octaves are much closer to the tuner's equal temperament, so that is a better place to start if you are practicing with a tuner.

I would look into practicing with a drone as well for some things, and if you are tuning just intervals, one of the notes should line up with the tuner... Don't lose track of which one.

 

[damonsmith]

I think the "tempered" vs. "just" rabbit hole is deep! I would say two things:
1. Just major thirds (the third an 8th of a tone flat) can often be the right answer in "normal" music. Best to learn to hear both options well. Other intervals are harder to work in.
2. I think the tempered system co-exists with the overtone series WAY better than theorists give it credit for doing so.If they truly clashed, then music would suck and music does not suck.

 

[Sean Riddle]

2. I think the tempered system co-exists with the overtone series WAY better than theorists give it credit for doing so.If they truly clashed, then music would suck and music does not suck.

Agreed, and this is really apparent with the bass and the other members of the string family. While our instruments don't have as much inherit sympathetic resonance as an Indian classical instrument, we still have plenty of it even when we play in equal temperament.

 

[Co.]

Equally tempered thirds on a bowed instrument without vibrato suck big time.
Anybody who tuned a guitar by ear to make both E and G major chords work also knows this.

 

[damonsmith]

Equally tempered thirds on a bowed instrument without vibrato suck big time.
Anybody who tuned a guitar by ear to make both E and G major chords work also knows this.

We have the option of both and our ears will tell us. Finishing out a piano chord with a just third or vibrato may or may not be the answer, for example.

 

[Co.]

We have the option of both and our ears will tell us. Finishing out a piano chord with a just third or vibrato may or may not be the answer, for example.

That's right. But the tone colour and the envelope of a piano works with that tuning. Sustained tones or instruments with more harmonics behave less cooperative.
Things get even worse, when playing those pitches simultaneously on one instrument.
For example, distorted guitars in thirds. If you play it on two instruments (think Iron Maiden or mid 80s Metallica) it works. Try playing it on one instrument through a distorted amp and it sounds horrible.
If you play thirds on a bowed string instrument, they have to be at least an approximation to just intonation to sound anything but pretty awful.

 

[Co.]

We have the option of both and our ears will tell us. Finishing out a piano chord with a just third or vibrato may or may not be the answer, for example.

And definately yes. Use your ears. Unless you REALLY know what's going on theoretically. Then can use your ears and your brain and your tuner.

 

[MattZilla]

Would a TC Electronics Polytune be not useless? IIRC, it's supposed to be able to handle polyphony (polygamy, lol).