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Drop D half step down tuning
- Thread starter DLI848
- Start date
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
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- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
However you'd like. I usually like to tune my B-string down to match the typical fourth tuning of a bass, so I tune it:
G#-C#-G#-C#-F#
G#-C#-G#-C#-F#
Well to play the same songs you wouldn't have to drop tune it. You can still play the same notes just in a different position
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
This is true also. However, I understand the need for drop tuning at times. My band plays a lot of riffs that bounce off of an open string, and it's just not ergonomically sensible to try to play it all fretted.
You can also just tune a half-step down (A#-D#-G#-C#-F#) and transpose the C#. Kind of a halfway point between standard tuning and the drop tunings.
There is no real "need" to play drop tuning if you have a 5 string bass. You can tune it to standard,BEADG,and I'll bet you bandmates won't know the difference.
Folks who think this....
often times fail to understand this....
Now, if you don't have lot of those riffs where you bounce from higher frets to an open string, then, as 73jbass points out, you probably can play a 5-string with just the standard tuning and you'll be fine. However, sometimes you need the "drop" tuning in order to play the riffs correctly.
My band does both drop C# and drop A#. I use a 4-string for the C# tunes that required drop tuning and a 5er for the A# tunes and tune the whole thing down a half-step(A#-D#-G#-C#-F#). Sometimes, when both basses aren't available to me, I play the 5er and tune the E string down town C#, which then looks like A#-C#-G#-C#-F#. I usually use the low B as a thumbrest for those tunes, but sometimes it's cool hit a note or two below the C# and still be in the "right" tuning to do the C# riffs.
FWIW, I have dropped by A# down to G#, but I've never liked the way it felt or sounded. Others do it and it works fine for them, but I think A# is my limit....unless I own a Dingwall.
often times fail to understand this....
Now, if you don't have lot of those riffs where you bounce from higher frets to an open string, then, as 73jbass points out, you probably can play a 5-string with just the standard tuning and you'll be fine. However, sometimes you need the "drop" tuning in order to play the riffs correctly.
My band does both drop C# and drop A#. I use a 4-string for the C# tunes that required drop tuning and a 5er for the A# tunes and tune the whole thing down a half-step(A#-D#-G#-C#-F#). Sometimes, when both basses aren't available to me, I play the 5er and tune the E string down town C#, which then looks like A#-C#-G#-C#-F#. I usually use the low B as a thumbrest for those tunes, but sometimes it's cool hit a note or two below the C# and still be in the "right" tuning to do the C# riffs.
FWIW, I have dropped by A# down to G#, but I've never liked the way it felt or sounded. Others do it and it works fine for them, but I think A# is my limit....unless I own a Dingwall.
Yup my 4's are tuned C#G#C#F#, and when I used to have 5'ers each string would be tuned 1/2 step down. So yeah low A# D#G#C#F#.
+1
Also, a C# fretted on the 2nd fret of the low B does not have the same tone & sustain as a .110 or so gauge E string does when it tuned down to C#. Say a song starts with the low C# ringing for 2 bars...most C# notes fretted on the low B would die out much faster than the open string would.
What's the deal with bass players and snobbery against open tuning?
It is widely used on most instruments and all music styles.
Horns even go as far as having separate instruments and notations allowing open tunings, so to say.
I never saw a banjo or guitar player think twice about retuning or using capos to get a specific sound or feeling.
Some famous musicians such as Michael Manring or Adrian Belew built a lot of their tone around open tunings. They aren't exactly slouches.
Still every time somebody asks a question regarding open tuning they get bad looks and the old "you can play this in standard tuning" comment.
It is widely used on most instruments and all music styles.
Horns even go as far as having separate instruments and notations allowing open tunings, so to say.
I never saw a banjo or guitar player think twice about retuning or using capos to get a specific sound or feeling.
Some famous musicians such as Michael Manring or Adrian Belew built a lot of their tone around open tunings. They aren't exactly slouches.
Still every time somebody asks a question regarding open tuning they get bad looks and the old "you can play this in standard tuning" comment.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Why not tune BEADG? that gives you all of you notes and 2 notes above and below you current range.
No idea. I've seen VERY traditional, acoustic folk guitar players who tune all the way down to B. No one seems to mind. The drop-D trick has been around for decades, and so have the DADGAD and double Drop-D tunings and they are still used today. But, don't dare to suggest someone use a tuning besides EADG on bass. Of course, not all bassists are like this, but there is a large segment of those who are.
Your guess is as good as mine. I've gotten some pretty "energetic" responses for just suggesting that sometimes, under certain circumstances, a non-standard tuning might be the most practical solution.
Obviously, I was wrong.
Only going by this as a guide to say it could be played on a standard tuned 5 string. If you're tuning lower than B,then that's a little different. You could tune the top string to the lowest note you play,then tune the rest in 4ths like you normaly would.You won't have to change basses,and you won't have to retune.Just play it where it lies on the fretboard. It ain't that difficult.I play a lot of Motown in the original keys,which a lot of it was in Eb,or tuned down 1/2 step from standard. I just play it on a 5 string wherever it falls on the fretboard. Nobody in the audience knows or cares if I'm playing an open string or not.It ain't that important.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Not sure. I have a bit of snobbery where I don't like to play in drop D if I don't have to, but it's mostly because I like to use my B-string when I'm walking or improvising and having that detuned string really fudges with it. Otherwise, I always keep at least one bass in some form of drop D - it's very much a necessity in the life of a rock/metal bassist.
I have yet to see a situation where Drop D is a necessity. Could you enlighten please on a situation where Drop D is the "only" option?
