Dropped D

[ghostbass]

I was wondering whether this fits into technique or not, but anyway. A new band i've started with plays in drop D. I'm not used to this and really mess up runs cos the scale is a differnet shape. So I decided to tune all my strings down a tone. So DGCF, so the scales are still the same.
Is this a really stupid idea and if not, does anyone here play like this?
Thanks

 

[Foamy]

As long as you can handle the loss of tension...it should be OK. At some point, I would guess, the loss of tension would result in a loss of what, volume? Tone?
But many bands tune to Eb, and you're just going another half-step down.
I don't know; I wouldn't do it, but I don't see it as any real big sin.

 

[mimaz]

I was wondering whether this fits into technique or not, but anyway. A new band i've started with plays in drop D. I'm not used to this and really mess up runs cos the scale is a differnet shape. So I decided to tune all my strings down a tone. So DGCF, so the scales are still the same.
Is this a really stupid idea and if not, does anyone here play like this?
Thanks

I'm assuming you would tune down a step because you need the low D.........what about a hipshot drop D tuner, so you only do it when you need it. (I know, the scale shapes would change alot, but it's a thought.)

What about taking that plunge and going to a 5 string bass? You'll have your low D and beyond!

If you elect to stay with the 4 string and tune the whole thing down a step, consider restringing with a heavier set.....you should regain tension, and TONE!

 

[ric1312]

I was wondering whether this fits into technique or not, but anyway. A new band i've started with plays in drop D. I'm not used to this and really mess up runs cos the scale is a differnet shape. So I decided to tune all my strings down a tone. So DGCF, so the scales are still the same.
Is this a really stupid idea and if not, does anyone here play like this?
Thanks

The only other problem you are going to run into is most of the drop D tabs I've run into are tabbed out for DADG. So, if you can't figure it out by ear it could mess you up.

(Yes, I use tabs, so kill me.)

 

[ghostbass]

okay, cool. i'll try it. maybe buy heavier strings if tension is a prob. the biggest problem i was worried about was the fact that the guitars would be on dropped d only. as in DADGBe, and i'll be DGCF. But that shouldn't really cause any problems, cos i can hit any notes they play.

ps. i use tabs too

 

[beyondhairy]

well what if u need the open G/D/A and your playing somewhere around the 12th fret or higher, are u going to jump up to the second fret and then back?

 

[geojam]

I wouldn't sweat it. There may not be a reason for the bass to tune down at all, unless you come up with a great bass line that just can't live without the Low D in the song, and also complements the Dropped 'D' tuned guitar. If not done well you may actually step all over the guitar who is droning that low D at very least, - and may be droning more open strings (TONS of open tunings).

I play guitar as well (okay, okay) and spend most of my time on that thing in open tunings (DADGAD is HUGE with me) - but when recording bass to my acoustic guitar work, I've never found a great reason to drop my E to D unless I want a better way to hit more relative chord (or scale ) notes (in this case Low D). And,,, I have a Hipshot tuner on my Reggie Hamilton! Go Figure.

Identifying the guitar chords used (structure) to create the tune is more important to the bass player to deal with. You just ID the Arpeggios of the
chords and then play the relative notes, and with a good groove and you can create a killer bass line, well to my way of thinking anyway. But - I'd actually like to hear more ideas! Ya never know!

 

[JNW7]

I play in DGCF pretty much exclusively, it allows for a darker sound...heavier, if you will. I helped tension by making my bass thru-body stringing, though havent tried anything besides 45-105 dr hi-beams, i seem to get a great tone.
-James

 

[aunchaki]

I went DADG on my four-string almost from the beginning. Great tuning. I had to have the low D. Then, I switched to 5-string and haven't looked back. I still love the low, low D, but I seldom use the low C or B. I play through a Genz-Benz 4x10 cab and perhaps it doesn't handle the super-low notes as well. I've played it through a G-B 1x18 and it does sound great (the G-B 4x10 and 1x18 are a set, but my band uses them separately).

Still it's nice to be able to move up the neck and still have the low notes. I can play in fifth position as if it were a four-string (EADG and C).

 

[labgnat]

the beauty of drop d tuning is if you know what the notes are in ur scale on the high d string then just play the same ones on the low. simple.

 

[Eublet]

if it sounds good, it is good

 

[elpelotero]

well what if u need the open G/D/A and your playing somewhere around the 12th fret or higher, are u going to jump up to the second fret and then back?

this is the biggest problem I have found. My band almost exclusively plays drop D. I have a 5-string bass, but I still need to drop the E string down to D because the guitar riffs are focused a lot around that open D and I run into situations where reaching back for the D on the 5th string is just impossible.

It really upsets me, but there's nothing I can do about it. I just play with E on my own time and use D with the band. However, I take advantage of the 5th string whenever I can instead of using the detuned string.

 

[Yngwie 4String]

Ive done it. It works OK in a band setting if your into a genre that it works with, but whatever you do not play solo in front of people with that setting. It never works. Ive actually played with all strings downtuned a full 2 steps.

 

[Bofee]

So are you saying all the songs are in the key of D? That would suck. I played in a band that did a lot of drop D stuff for years, but that didn't mean the songs were all in D. I used one of those Hipshot drop tuners, and if the song was in D, I was there.

 

[Foamy]

Yeah, let me also chime in on the Hipshot Xtenders. I use one and it's great. In fact, sometimes I switch back and forth in the same song. It is really that easy. And as far as keeping it straight in your head, it's actually pretty easy to do.

 

[elpelotero]

So are you saying all the songs are in the key of D? That would suck. I played in a band that did a lot of drop D stuff for years, but that didn't mean the songs were all in D. I used one of those Hipshot drop tuners, and if the song was in D, I was there.

not all the songs are in D. there's like 2-3 songs where it's absolutely necessary though. I don't have a Hipshot tuner, so I just do the whole show in D tuning.

 

[TrooperFarva]

I prefer Drop D to tuning down a whole step. Once you get used to the scale shapes, Drop D becomes easier than standard tuning, IMO.

Plus, you can't play 'Sober' properly in any other tuning.

 

[beyondhairy]

So are you saying all the songs are in the key of D? That would suck. I played in a band that did a lot of drop D stuff for years, but that didn't mean the songs were all in D. I used one of those Hipshot drop tuners, and if the song was in D, I was there.

u ever listen to tool? they play in drop D, and ALL of their songs except for a handfull are in the key of D or D# lol

 

[Gasman]

I think if you learn the "shapes" in drop D you will be happy playing in that tuning. It actually lets you do things you can't do by tuning all your strings down, like double riffs an octave higher on the high D string. The more I play it (for about the last 5 years), the more I like it.

 

[Scot]

I'm in the "drop D/Hipshot and work out the fingerings needed" camp.

If the rest of the band tuned down a half or whole step (e.g. SRV's band tuning down a half step) I would probably have a bass(s) setup that way all the time and have another bass(s) tuned to standard tuning for playing outside of that band. If you're constantly changing tunings on the same bass you will likely find that your bass doesn't stay in tune that well in any tuning. IME, basses need to be setup in the tuning you plan to use and with the guage of strings you plan on using.