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Set list with standard and half-step down tuning

#42
I am in a original rock band and my band tuned a full step down. Having more than one bass would always be handy when dealing with different tuning because you can just use the appropriate tuned bass for the appropriate song.
 
#43
kawika5150 said:
Good suggestions by all. I would consider playing just a fret lower, but it's hard when you need that open E flat. My hands are too small for fivers, btw. Just can't get comfortable with them.
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Get heavier strings and tune your 4 string DGCF and then you can play everything on one bass.

Today where bass players need the low Eb and low D why does anybody tune EADG? The standard tuning for a 4 string bass should be DGCF.

But for me and my 5 string basses I will stay with BEADG. I have experimented with ADGCF and the low A is too low for my ears.
 
#44
spade2you said:
Most 1/2 step, standard, and dropped D tunes can be played on a 5. I've had a few songs in dropped D that weren't possible on a 5, but songs like that are few and far between.
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But it is sooo much cooler playing Eb on an open string so you can raise your hand in the air and rock the slayer!

beavisnbutthead.gif
 
#45
Fuzzbass said:
A single five string bass in the same tuning as the majority of the songs. For the minority of songs tuned differently, I transpose. The beauty of five string is that it allows more wiggle room, especially when it's tuned to standard and you're playing songs a half step flat. F'r instance, playing a song in E flat on standard-tuned fiver is as easy as playing a song in A flat on standard-tuned four: you get the low root, and can go even lower.
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This is what I was thinking.. although to tell the truth the concept is new to me.. I have heard of individuals drop tuning.. and that's how they play ... but not whole bands.. Interesting...
 
#46
Rockin Mike said:
+1 for five string (pun intended)
+1 for learning different positions and transposing
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This. No need for multiple basses, extended tuning breaks. Also learn your songs in terms of neck position and patterns. Then you can be 'modular' and shift into whatever key you need to depending on the situation.

I spend some amount of time with guest vocalists who may call a number of classic reggae 'riddims', depending on a singer's 'sweet spot' for key, I can play them pretty much anywhere on demand.
 
#51
bmc said:
What's the appeal to making your lives so complicated? In 40 years of gigging, this is the first I've read about this. I assume this is for concert work and not club stuff, right?

Assuming you are doing covers, isn't there enough material out there, that you can play in standard tunings, in keys that work for the singers? Only the band is going to know the difference. People in the audience or club aren't going to notice squat.
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I have to agree with this, Kawika. People in clubs don't want to watch bands changing guitars twice a set. I answered your question about what you could do, but honestly, I'm totally with bmc here. I'd pick a tuning and stick to it. The difference between E and Eb tuning is so insignificant that you could do all your songs in one tuning or the other. Used to work with a dude who was really picky about stuff like that. Still is. He carries 4 guitars with him on every gig. One is standard, one is Eb standard tuning, one is drop D, one is drop Db. I can't think of a bigger nightmare.
 
#52
JimmyM said:
I have to agree with this, Kawika. People in clubs don't want to watch bands changing guitars twice a set. I answered your question about what you could do, but honestly, I'm totally with bmc here. I'd pick a tuning and stick to it. The difference between E and Eb tuning is so insignificant that you could do all your songs in one tuning or the other. Used to work with a dude who was really picky about stuff like that. Still is. He carries 4 guitars with him on every gig. One is standard, one is Eb standard tuning, one is drop D, one is drop Db. I can't think of a bigger nightmare.
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Jimmy, trust me, if I had my way all of our songs would be in standard tuning. I'd much rather just bring one bass to a live performance (mostly clubs, nothing really large). Similar to a Hard Rock Cafe venue. The band that I joined however loves to play GnR, Alice In Chains, and classic Black Sabbath and the singer can't hit those notes if played in standard. In all honesty, I like the way it sounds played a half-step down. I am fine with playing the first set in standard, 2nd set 1/2 down, 3rd set back to standard. I don't mind doing the guitar change during the break. I would only have to adjust my wireless which is nothing to complain about.

I think the "root" of the problem with us is our singer who's having a difficult time hitting those highs but has no issues when played 1/2 down. Anyone else has a singer that encounters these issues or is the primary reason for having to change tunings?
 
#53
My band played in Drop C, Drop D, D Standard and E Standard in a 2 set gig for a while. I went for the simplest solution and got a 5 string. Not saying this would be the best solution for you, as i don't think it would, but its what worked for me.

How about permanently tuning to half step down and putting a capo on the first fret for Standard tuned songs. That's what my bands singer/guitarist has done with his acoustic.

Liam
 
#58
We go through standard, 1/2 step down, drop D, and Drop C in one night. Worst part is, I only have one bass right now. Fortunately its a five banger, so drop D isnt a problem, but I do need to go from standard to 1/2 step to drop C. Of course we have the songs lumped together as far as tunings.
 
#59
Sav'nBass said:
This is what I was thinking.. although to tell the truth the concept is new to me.. I have heard of individuals drop tuning.. and that's how they play ... but not whole bands.. Interesting...
Click to expand...

My rock band plays most songs a half-step flat, so the guitarist and I tune down a half-step. That's for vocal reasons: allows the singer to get through Led Zep and AC/DC covers.

One of my R&B bands has a very good female lead singer, but how many humans have Aretha Franklin's range? So, we play "Respect" in Bb instead of C. All I can say is, I'm glad I play five string because I would hate to deal with that Eb-F chord change (transposed down from F-G) on a four.
 
#60
I keep all my 4 strings setup for DGCF. If I'm playing in standard it is easier to just shift up two frets. It takes some thought while reading a chart, but I like the feel of a 4 better than my 5s and I need the E flat and D from time to time. Dropping a single string with a hipshot really messes me up.

I would just keep the one bass down a half step and move up a fret to play in standard.
 

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