Drop tune - why is it looked down on?

[eSmith]

I've mentioned many times that I play in drop C in my band, so a 5 string in standard tuning does have all of the notes I use.

Really, than explain this:

Some songs, when written for a certain tuning, would be impossible to play in a standard tuning, even with a low B.

Burl, it is pretty clear the argument is more important to you than the topic. Which one of the above statments are you going to stick with? And don't bother with the childish hair splitting between "What your band Plays" and " when written for a certain tuning" That's just you jumping back and forth to ensure your on the other side of whatever I say.

-eSmith.

 

[NortyFiner]

IMHO, if you have to downtune to sound heavy, you're doing "heavy" wrong. But that's its own discussion.

As I said, I play mostly in standard tuning. I do sometimes drop D, but only because I like the musical variation it gives me. It has nothing to do with shortcuts. I know the notes, I know my fretboard, in both EADG and DADG. It's fun to do and play something different, and I think switching every now and then and practicing in both tunings helps reinforce my knowledge of my instrument, of how to use its full range and to extend that range. But I'm just a hobbyist who plays a Squier P, so what do I know...

 

[billhilly66]

Funny thread! I don't guess I'm able to care what tuning somebody wants to use as long as they can tell me the correct key. (been at jams where they're tuned down and tell me the tune is in G based on the fret when it's really in Gb) I don't need to change tuning myself for any of the gigs I get called for but hey, to each to his own.

Gotta wonder though if different tunings wouldn't foul you up when sight reading standard notation or lead sheets.

 

[eSmith]

You can reach most of the notes, but to reach all of them requires you to change position.

Careful there, that is in DIRECT conflict with Burlingtons claim that non standard tuning is done to be more efficient......

-eSmith. -eSmith.
-eSmith. -eSmith.

 

[Febs]

Really, than explain this:



Burl, it is pretty clear the argument is more important to you than the topic. Which one of the above statments are you going to stick with? And don't bother with the childish hair splitting between "What your band Plays" and " when written for a certain tuning" That's just you jumping back and forth to ensure your on the other side of whatever I say.

-eSmith.

I don't see those two statements from Burlington as necessarily being inconsistent. If he is playing a song that requires alternating a low C with a riff two octaves above that, for example, then there is certainly an advantage to being able to utilize an open string. The strength of the C tuning, as compared to playing the C on the first fret of a 5-string, is not that the note exists on the instrument, but that it exists on an open string. So he is saying that while the 5-string has the note that he needs, having that note available on an open string rather than on the first fret of the B string on a 5-string facilitates playing the song.

 

[Burlington]

Really, than explain this:



Burl, it is pretty clear the argument is more important to you than the topic. Which one of the above statments are you going to stick with? And don't bother with the childish hair splitting between "What your band Plays" and " when written for a certain tuning" That's just you jumping back and forth to ensure your on the other side of whatever I say.

-eSmith.

You're the one who's trying to stay away from the fact that you know your argument is BS.

You misunderstood me. Given the position of notes on a drop instrument, I am able to play things that would not be possible on a standard tuned one. The same is true for a bass in standard tuning, you could play things like that that you could not on a drop tuned one.

You're not taking up my challenge so I will take this as you admitting defeat. You are obviously set in your ways, and you know the saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".



If anyone would like to see some Guitarpro files of my bands songs, PM me your email address and I will send some out tomorrow.

 

[Burlington]

Careful there, that is in DIRECT conflict with Burlingtons claim that non standard tuning is done to be more efficient......

-eSmith. -eSmith.
-eSmith. -eSmith.

No, it's not. Some things will be easier, some harder. I never said it makes everything easier.

I don't see those two statements from Burlington as necessarily being inconsistent. If he is playing a song that requires alternating a low C with a riff two octaves above that, for example, then there is certainly an advantage to being able to utilize an open string. The strength of the C tuning, as compared to playing the C on the first fret of a 5-string, is not that the note exists on the instrument, but that it exists on an open string. So he is saying that while the 5-string has the note that he needs, having that note available on an open string rather than on the first fret of the B string on a 5-string facilitates playing the song.

This is correct, thank you.

 

[liquid sunshine]

who cares how something is tuned as long as you are in time and playing the right notes.
drop tuning gives you darker tones which i really like in alot of the music i listen to. if you play with a b string you wanted lower notes well so did the guys who tuned down. and for the snobs listen to this. 4 string tuned down 2 full steps recorded by Anthony Jackson on chaka khans move me no mountain

 

[rockstarbassist]

Funny thread! I don't guess I'm able to care what tuning somebody wants to use as long as they can tell me the correct key. (been at jams where they're tuned down and tell me the tune is in G based on the fret when it's really in Gb) I don't need to change tuning myself for any of the gigs I get called for but hey, to each to his own.

Gotta wonder though if different tunings wouldn't foul you up when sight reading standard notation or lead sheets.

I believe the std. E only crowd calls that "transposing"...

It can go both ways. Weird, I know.

I used to play the 4 string I had when I was doing Sunday AM services half a step down since so much of that music is in Eb and didn't have quality 5'er at the time. And sounds soooo much better with an open E than that horrendous 6th fret A string. Played along with simple chord charts. It's honestly not rocket science.

 

[Febs]

And sounds soooo much better with an open E than that horrendous 6th fret A string. Played along with simple chord charts. It's honestly not rocket science.

Do you mean an open Eb?

 

[billhilly66]

Yeah, I guess it's all just so confusing for us standard tuners. Who were the snobs again by the way? I forget.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Do you mean an open Eb?

Open E string, open Eb "note", yes.

 

[eSmith]

Not admitting defeat at all, I will admit your attempt to bait me into playing your bands originals is futile at best.

I Don't need to spell any better than I already do. You simply can't deny after all your responses to me that you know EXACTLY what I am saying. My communication is successful, I could care less how you want it wrapped.

If all you have is my spelling then the argument really is over and it is you that lost.

-eSmith.

 

[Burlington]

Yeah, I guess it's all just so confusing for us standard tuners. Who were the snobs again by the way? I forget.

The ones saying it's useless and it's the mark of a poor musician, when they themselves are so self conscious of their own playing that they will not man up and accept what should be a fairly simple challenge.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Yeah, I guess it's all just so confusing for us standard tuners. Who were the snobs again by the way? I forget.

Wasn't being a d!ck, just seriously answering your question with a real-life experience response since you put it out there. Hence the smiley.

If I wanted to be an @sshat, I'd have used a or instead breaux.

 

[Burlington]

Not admitting defeat at all, I will admit your attempt to bait me into playing your bands originals is futile at best.

I Don't need to spell any better than I already do. You simply can't deny after all your responses to me that you know EXACTLY what I am saying. My communication is successful, I could care less how you want it wrapped.

If all you have is my spelling then the argument really is over and it is you that lost.

-eSmith.

What do you mean by bait? I am giving you an upfront explanation as to why I tune this way. You just refuse to see it. The fact is that whenever someone says that dropped tuning are useless, then are asked to prove it, they can't. It's sad that you can't admit you are wrong.

 

[zachoff]

Yeah, I guess it's all just so confusing for us standard tuners. Who were the snobs again by the way? I forget.

I think there are just different ways of thinking about it. My current band is the first I've played in that has dropped aside from playing Metallica covers in my old cover band.

I tried playing a 5 string in my band and it just didn't work. I sing too, so changing basses and fingering patterns while singing was a bit too much to ask. My guitar player drops too (obviously) and when he shows me a riff he's playing it's way easier to be able to double what he's doing rather than figuring out what he's playing if he were in a standard tuning and vice versa. Whether I'm doubling what he's doing or he doubles what I'm doing is not isn't the issue. I need to know what he's playing before I can figure out my part. If either of us comes up with something it's way easier to show the other if our top 4 strings are the same.

It's also real nice having the octave on the 5th fret of the A string instead of the 7th or the second fret of the D.

 

[Prostheta]

"Drop tuning" as a term implies retuning from a "standard tuning". Doing so upsets an instruments setup in my opinion. That and I prefer an instrument to stay in a specific tuning as opposed to dropping it down and tuning it back up regularly.

If the term is used for a specific tuning, then why not refer to it as that tuning? DADG or DGCF, etc?

Stop retuning your instruments and learn to play one with more strings, a specific tuning or just stop thinking in terms of open strings. BLeH!

Rant over. Do continue.

 

[Burlington]

"Drop tuning" as a term implies retuning from a "standard tuning". Doing so upsets an instruments setup in my opinion. That and I prefer an instrument to stay in a specific tuning as opposed to dropping it down and tuning it back up regularly.

If the term is used for a specific tuning, then why not refer to it as that tuning? DADG or DGCF, etc?

Stop retuning your instruments and learn to play one with more strings, a specific tuning or just stop thinking in terms of open strings. BLeH!

Rant over. Do continue.

All of my instruments used for CGCF tuning are set up for it and do not get tuned to anything else.

 

[rockstarbassist]

"Drop tuning" as a term implies retuning from a "standard tuning". Doing so upsets an instruments setup in my opinion. That and I prefer an instrument to stay in a specific tuning as opposed to dropping it down and tuning it back up regularly.

If the term is used for a specific tuning, then why not refer to it as that tuning? DADG or DGCF, etc?

Stop retuning your instruments and learn to play one with more strings, a specific tuning or just stop thinking in terms of open strings. BLeH!

Rant over. Do continue.

Good call. Let's all stop learning and just do it the "old" way. I mean, since you posted this, it's pretty much set in stone as the only way you can play an instrument. How I'm able to play in drop C and D standard and C standard is impossible according to you. Think of having a bass adjusted and setup more than once in it's entire existence. Teh horrorz...

Or on top of that, more than one bass. Weird, I know.