So, um, why not just tune a four string DGCF? That's what I do. Open D. I have no use for Drop D except covering Tool or doing similar things.
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Drop D half step down tuning
- Thread starter DLI848
- Start date
So, um, why not just tune a four string DGCF? That's what I do. Open D. I have no use for Drop D except covering Tool or doing similar things.
Not saying it can't be done, but when you're playing lines by Rex Brown and Mike Dean, who I personally think use raw feeling and style more than most, it's just not the same. Just plucking out the right notes doesn't mean you're playing it right. Guess all I'm really saying is there's no need for the snobbery and undeserved sense of accomplishment. If you can do it, great. If not, tune down!
I'm out like the bass player in a beauty pageant!
Not saying it can't be done, but when you're playing lines by Rex Brown and Mike Dean, who I personally think use raw feeling and style more than most, it's just not the same. Just plucking out the right notes doesn't mean you're playing it right. Guess all I'm really saying is there's no need for the snobbery and undeserved sense of accomplishment. If you can do it, great. If not, tune down!
I'm out like the bass player in a beauty pageant!
Oh, I'm not against tuning down. Just I don't see the point of drop tunings on bass, except Tool stuff.
Otherwise I prefer to work in 4ths, so if tuning down to D is required, I'm going to have the bass tuned DGCF, not DADG. Same if low C is required. Then I'll tune CFBbEb, not CGCF.
Drop tunings make minor third arpeggios extremely awkward for me, and change the fingerings for all scales starting on the lowest string. I much prefer just to use a lower open tuning than have two of the strings a 5th apart instead of a 4th. Makes things much easier to play for me, keeping the instrument tuned in 4ths. I'm more comfortable with string jumps than awkward shifts up the neck.
Visit my old band's myspace - Link Removed - if you can play the song "Seed" without drop tuning I'll shut up about it...forever!
(it's just a scratch track but I can tab it for ya if ya want).EDIT: I just listened to it and was reminded of why that band is on long-term hiatus...the drums are ridiculously horrible!!!! Great guy though. LOL
Play a riff using your fretted A and then play everything else the same but use your open A and tell me they sound exactly the same.
They don't.
If you don't like a certain style of music that's one thing, but just because it's possible to play the same notes with a different fingering just to keep your standard tuning doesn't mean it's proper.
I wouldn't ask my 66 year old father to pick my shirt, let alone my tuning
It's a matter of preference.
They don't.
If you don't like a certain style of music that's one thing, but just because it's possible to play the same notes with a different fingering just to keep your standard tuning doesn't mean it's proper.
I wouldn't ask my 66 year old father to pick my shirt, let alone my tuning
It's a matter of preference.
What's this about liking certain kinds of music? Did I ever say anything remotely of that sort.Play a riff using your fretted A and then play everything else the same but use your open A and tell me they sound exactly the same.
They don't.
If you don't like a certain style of music that's one thing, but just because it's possible to play the same notes with a different fingering just to keep your standard tuning doesn't mean it's proper.
I wouldn't ask my 66 year old father to pick my shirt, let alone my tuning
It's a matter of preference.
Visit my old band's myspace - Link Removed - if you can play the song "Seed" without drop tuning I'll shut up about it...forever!
EDIT: I just listened to it and was reminded of why that band is on long-term hiatus...the drums are ridiculously horrible!!!! Great guy though. LOL
If you could, that would be good. The mix isn't that bass friendly. Guitarpro if possible, as I actually prefer having the notation.
Doesn't sound like it would be difficult to play in an open tuning. What's the lowest note?
Less is more...................? 4 strings............normal tuning................does anyone do that anymore?
Visit my old band's myspace - Link Removed - if you can play the song "Seed" without drop tuning I'll shut up about it...forever!
EDIT: I just listened to it and was reminded of why that band is on long-term hiatus...the drums are ridiculously horrible!!!! Great guy though. LOL
I'd be interested as to why drop tuning is the "only" way to play that. Not a difficult riff from what I could hear.
We all understand that a D played on the B string will not sound the same as an E dropped to D. That one is a no brainer. But,the people listing to you won't know the difference,and probably don't care. So you're basically just doing it for yourself. Some of the Dream Theater I used to play a while back was played on a 6 in standard tuning,while the guitar player played in Dropped D.No problems with symmetry at all. Whatever that means. I have never in my 30plus years of playing had anybody from the audience tell me that I should have played Drop D on a song,instead on on a normally tuned 5'er used an alternate tuning of any kind. It's not importaint to them.
I have the tab saved in Notepad (too cheap to spring for Guitar-pro.com) and can email the file (pm me your address). C# is the lowest note. I know it's not the best recording and the drums are...uh, well...that's been the crux of our little band since we started over 2 years ago.
Because that's how it was written.
I can email you the file to if you want to see it.That's exactly it. 30 years ago, no one was playing in dropped tunings. You are playing to a different audience my friend, and that makes more of a difference than your gear or tuning.
same here. i don't like messing up the relationship between all the strings by dropping one string a step because i cant play my standard riffs the same way. but tuning to d standard is weird because i don't know any of the notes i'm hitting lol
screw it lets just get rid of the D and G strings we don't need them, E and A that's all we need, hammer and pull off's and jumping to reach notes, oh how i love it THOUGH, i can't play this song
in the correct pace..though Thoretically if i had a Single Bass tuned E-A-D-G i can play both fine, arpegio's are easy enough in drop tunings and chugging an open String is alot better compared to a fretted one personally
in the correct pace..though Thoretically if i had a Single Bass tuned E-A-D-G i can play both fine, arpegio's are easy enough in drop tunings and chugging an open String is alot better compared to a fretted one personally
No one wants to try this song in standard BEADG tuning?
"Seed" - Link Removed (remember, ignore the drums LOL).
"Seed" - Link Removed (remember, ignore the drums LOL).
Well heck, if drop tunings are useless, you might as well just set your action 6 inches above your fret board! And what's the use with quality cabling? I think everyone should get cables that only sometimes transmit the signal! Why would ANYONE want to make music production easier?!?!
/end sarcasm
Seriously, the whole idea of musical instruments is providing an easier means of making music. Just as anyone tries to provide the best instrument, amp, effects, etc. to their rig in order to create "their" sound, there is no point why they shouldn't use alternate tunings for the same exact reason. Just because you CAN play something in standard, doesn't mean that it HAS to be in standard. Why spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on a rig in order to make "your" sound and then make things more difficult by using a tuning some else thinks is more "correct."
/end sarcasm
Seriously, the whole idea of musical instruments is providing an easier means of making music. Just as anyone tries to provide the best instrument, amp, effects, etc. to their rig in order to create "their" sound, there is no point why they shouldn't use alternate tunings for the same exact reason. Just because you CAN play something in standard, doesn't mean that it HAS to be in standard. Why spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on a rig in order to make "your" sound and then make things more difficult by using a tuning some else thinks is more "correct."
Will do. Sorry, was away for the weekend.I have the tab saved in Notepad (too cheap to spring for Guitar-pro.com) and can email the file (pm me your address). C# is the lowest note. I know it's not the best recording and the drums are...uh, well...that's been the crux of our little band since we started over 2 years ago.
Not in BEADG tuning. In open C# tuning (you said C# was the lowest note? Therefore, I'd tune C#F#BE)
- Aug 5, 2005
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Even in standard tuning, that song doesn't look so bad. Granted, I haven't listened to it yet, but here's the first riff:
C |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G |-------R------------R---------------------------------------------------------------------|
D |-------R------------R---------------------------------------------------------------------|
A |-------R-----2---2--R----------------------------------2---2------------------------------|
E |-------R--0h1-0h1---R-0-1\-------------1\-----------0h1-0h1--------------1\-----------0-1-|
B |-14\-2-R----------2-R------2-2-3p2-22-2---2-2-3p2-2----------2-2-3p2-22-2---2-2-3p2-2-----|
C |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
G |-------R------------R---------------------------------------------------------------------|
D |-------R------------R---------------------------------------------------------------------|
A |-------R-----2---2--R----------------------------------2---2------------------------------|
E |-------R--0h1-0h1---R-0-1\-------------1\-----------0h1-0h1--------------1\-----------0-1-|
B |-14\-2-R----------2-R------2-2-3p2-22-2---2-2-3p2-2----------2-2-3p2-22-2---2-2-3p2-2-----|
I play a lot of rage against the machine and they go down to drop D in a lot of songs. The main reason I don't detune a 4 string bass down to D is because I get all mixed up if the bass isnt tuned standardly. Ive tried it before and my mind becomes a mess. Maybe some Tbers have the same issue.
I can get that some types of metal riffs require amazing dexterity to be played in standard tuning with a 5 string and thats why people go the easy way and detune their basses. But it can be done. After seeing some of the dexterity some guys I'm sure anything can be played anyway possible, its just a matter of hard work.
I guess its just a matter of choosing how you feel most comfortable playing a song.
By the way... I really can't honestly tell an open D than a fretted D on a B string.
I can get that some types of metal riffs require amazing dexterity to be played in standard tuning with a 5 string and thats why people go the easy way and detune their basses. But it can be done. After seeing some of the dexterity some guys I'm sure anything can be played anyway possible, its just a matter of hard work.
I guess its just a matter of choosing how you feel most comfortable playing a song.
By the way... I really can't honestly tell an open D than a fretted D on a B string.
