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Eb tuning songs
- Thread starter ics1974
- Start date
If I have things to learn that require retuning, I structure my practice sessions so that all the standard tuning stuff I do first, then I retune for whatever needs that at the end.
And, I should mention that it's not always about Eb or D tunings. Sometimes it's about wanting to play along with something that was recorded or mastered out of concert pitch.
I often prefer to detune because most of what I play in Eb uses that lowest note in a droning sort of way and it's noticeable when you transpose. But I will play a five string if there are a lot of songs that use notes on the B string, because that's what makes sense to me.
Good Lord, tune down a half step. No need to buy anything, except a stopwatch to time the 10 seconds it takes to tune four strings.
Or, sure, play another Eb elsewhere on the neck besides the low string. It just won't be a low Eb. But keys are keys are keys. The patterns are the same anywhere on the neck.
Or, sure, play another Eb elsewhere on the neck besides the low string. It just won't be a low Eb. But keys are keys are keys. The patterns are the same anywhere on the neck.
I put my E string in Eb while learning TLC - Waterfalls.
Playing in the key of Eb is a zero issue, but playing the right note in the right octave was important to me, and some of the lines indicated it was done on a downtuned 4-string rather than a standard 5. Took a little mental energy to play other notes on the Eb string but nothing too bad, and it's another skill in the toolbox.
Playing in the key of Eb is a zero issue, but playing the right note in the right octave was important to me, and some of the lines indicated it was done on a downtuned 4-string rather than a standard 5. Took a little mental energy to play other notes on the Eb string but nothing too bad, and it's another skill in the toolbox.
Depends how I want the final product to sound. If I want to play A bass line for the song (something that fits but is a reimagined part, or the song doesn't hang on the low Eb note), I will generally leave the bass in E standard tuning. If I want to learn THE part that was played on the original recording I will tune down to Eb standard. If my favorite band was, let's say Alice in Chains or GNR I might have an instrument dedicated to Eb standard.
I'm kind of baffled that so many people are saying things like this and "just play Eb somewhere higher on the neck". Hard rock and heavy metal use open strings all the time. Iron Maiden's "Wrathchild", or Faith No More's "We Care A Lot", or Tool's "Schism" all make substantial use of open strings (although none of them are actually in Eb, FWIW) and that's just what occurs to me off the top of my head, and if you try playing the Eb up an octave I don't think they're going to sound too similar, to say nothing of it changing the fingering a whole lot and not usually for the easier...
Ultimately I think you should learn it how you're going to play it. If your band is going to play it as it was written, get used to retuning (or just have a second bass that you keep downtuned!) If you're going to play it in standard tuning, use software. There's a lot of software that will do it, but I'm fond of Amazing Slow Downer (assuming you're on a Mac): !Amazing Slow Downer for Mac OS X - an easy way to slow down the speed of the music without changing the pitch, Jaguar, cd,player,cd-player,music software,variable speed,change speed,reduce speed,slow down,cycle,shareware,OS X,loop,music,software, multimedia,compact disc, audio cd, musical instrument, computer music, music software,multimedia software,multimedia computer,multimedia Mac, Mac software,entertainment,edutainment,jazz,improvisation,classical,music education,audio,educational software,sound card,sound blaster,sound blaster,transcriptions,ear training>
It can change pitch, speed up or slow down without changing pitch, loop, EQ, etc.
Everything played by Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. He constantly stayed tuned to Eb on his guitar. He claimed it was easier to bend strings as the tension was reduced. Tommy Shannon tuned his basses there too.
5 string, BEAD, detune, or some electronic gizmo. IMO, the Eb further up the neck ain’t a bass note!
Been through this with a few bands.... If the song is played on a 4 string just detune your bass a 1/2 step. How long you want to leave that for is up to you.. If a long time you will probably will have to adjust the bass. I played in a SRV tribute band and kept 2 basses setup and detuned a 1/2 step. I found that using a 5 string doesn't sound the same. Try playing SRV licks on a 5. Van halen , SRV, Black sabbath and even Rush detune... So it's no biggie! Good luck and enjoy!!
I used to just use a higher Eb on 4-strings. Then I moved to 5-strings for about 20 years, which solved the low Eb problem. Then I moved back to 4-strings and currently use a combination of the higher Eb plus a Hipshot D-tuner to get to the lower Eb. The Hipshot requires a little practice to get the patterns down but I really like that solution.
BTW was in a band for years that had a few songs that were on instruments tuned to Eb. It was a lot easier to have a second bass already tuned to Eb. I had set up proper intonation and etc, on it. Was an easy swap over. Guitarist had the same too. Made it simple.
That’s what I did when I joined a country band that tuned to Eb. Got a new Fender Road Worn Precision and set it up for Eb.
(But I play a fretless 5 in standard tuning with my jazz group, and we do a bunch of songs in Eb.)
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Didn't read through all the replies.
I have used a software app called transcribe. I wished I had it when I was starting out. It's great for drop tunings like Eb as well as songs that were recorded higher or lower than A440. Yeah I could tune my bass down but it's quicker and I am not a big fan of changing the tensions on my strings. I am a bit fussy in that regard.
Other than by DAW software(cubase 10.5) this is the software I use most.
I have used a software app called transcribe. I wished I had it when I was starting out. It's great for drop tunings like Eb as well as songs that were recorded higher or lower than A440. Yeah I could tune my bass down but it's quicker and I am not a big fan of changing the tensions on my strings. I am a bit fussy in that regard.
Other than by DAW software(cubase 10.5) this is the software I use most.
Just tune to A414hz and play in standard tuning.
Also, if you get into the habit of changing tunings, it doesn't take long. Especially, if you practice by ear in my experience.
I do not understand the point of D tuners to switch from E to D. Can you not hear a 4th interval? Is that the reason?
Also, if you get into the habit of changing tunings, it doesn't take long. Especially, if you practice by ear in my experience.
I do not understand the point of D tuners to switch from E to D. Can you not hear a 4th interval? Is that the reason?
As you aren't learning and practicing these songs to perform with a band I'd say just bring the song up one step with software. If you want to improve your playing and knowledge learn to play along with the songs in both Eb and E.
For the OP, I use a different bass for E flat.
Beyond your question, I have a few 4-strings with detuners, a 4-string tuned to DGCF and a 5-string, all relatively inexpensive instruments. In the past, there was a time when I was using only a 5-string, then only a 4-string tuned DGCF, which was fun to figure out and accomplish. In terms of things I was playing most, I found that E and E flat were most common tunings/keys with some D, and only a few things (that I’ve been doing) require anything lower. In the past few years, I added extra instruments with various tunings, and found I was happier working on things in the same tuning as they were done, particularly where open strings are involved—it’s possible to accomplish nearly anything otherwise, but I enjoy it most when my bass is set up the same. Even with the detuners and 5-string, I still tend to mostly choose the bass in the same tuning as the version of the song I’m working on, but sometimes I’ll try it on a different tuning as a challenge. The separate E flat bass will allow you to set the string gauges and action on each of your basses better for the tuning, and it’s easy to just grab the other bass when you need it. My 4-strings are all similar to each other in setup/quality so the difference is mostly about the tuning, I like them all, and there is not much difference in preferring to play one over another, so “similarity” can be a consideration in choosing an extra bass.
Beyond your question, I have a few 4-strings with detuners, a 4-string tuned to DGCF and a 5-string, all relatively inexpensive instruments. In the past, there was a time when I was using only a 5-string, then only a 4-string tuned DGCF, which was fun to figure out and accomplish. In terms of things I was playing most, I found that E and E flat were most common tunings/keys with some D, and only a few things (that I’ve been doing) require anything lower. In the past few years, I added extra instruments with various tunings, and found I was happier working on things in the same tuning as they were done, particularly where open strings are involved—it’s possible to accomplish nearly anything otherwise, but I enjoy it most when my bass is set up the same. Even with the detuners and 5-string, I still tend to mostly choose the bass in the same tuning as the version of the song I’m working on, but sometimes I’ll try it on a different tuning as a challenge. The separate E flat bass will allow you to set the string gauges and action on each of your basses better for the tuning, and it’s easy to just grab the other bass when you need it. My 4-strings are all similar to each other in setup/quality so the difference is mostly about the tuning, I like them all, and there is not much difference in preferring to play one over another, so “similarity” can be a consideration in choosing an extra bass.
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I think in ideal environment, most people can drop the E to D by ear, but at a gig in between songs or mid song that might be a bit of a challenge.
I have never heard or seen drop tuners on all strings though.
In such cases, we'd probably play it in E tuning since we're lazy, but I would detune to learn it with the recording.
