my guitar player plays an 8 string in drop E[ebeadebe]
he sugest i tune my A string [4 sting to B] sugestions?
he sugest i tune my A string [4 sting to B] sugestions?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
TUNING
- Thread starter mostfoulvillain
- Start date
umm, that seems like really weird tuning to me, personally. I don't really see the logic.
I'd stick to tuning to 4ths, personally. Much simpler that way.
I'd stick to tuning to 4ths, personally. Much simpler that way.
Ask him if any of these combinations will work:
E-A-D-G
A-D-G-C
D-G-C-F
G-C-F-Bb
C-F-Bb-Eb
F-Bb-Eb-Ab
Bb-Eb-Ab-Db
Eb-Ab-Db-Gb
Ab-Db-Gb-B
B-E-A-D
E-A-D-G
A-D-G-C
D-G-C-F
G-C-F-Bb
C-F-Bb-Eb
F-Bb-Eb-Ab
Bb-Eb-Ab-Db
Eb-Ab-Db-Gb
Ab-Db-Gb-B
B-E-A-D
The standard EADG bass tuning is a tuning in fourths because each string is tuned 5 half steps above the string below it and five half steps is the musical interval of a fourth. The open A string is the same note as the fifth fret on the E string and so on. Why does a "fourth" correspond to five half steps? Because if you count the first note as one the fourth note in a major scale is five half steps above the first note, CDEF or EF#G#A for example. It makes sense to a musician if not to an engineer or an accountant....
Other than the double bass, the members of the violin family are tuned in fifths. A cello is tuned CGDA for example. Each string is the fifth note of a major scale that starts on the string below it. "Drop" tunings are generally held to be tunings where three strings are tuned in fourths and the bottom string is tuned to a wider interval. Sometimes songs are written around a specific tuning and are much easier to play at breakneck speed when this tuning is used. I don't play it so I would not know from experience but metal players will generally claim that this is the case for their genre. If you play a genre that exclusively is written around a special tuning then you may benefit from using that tuning. Otherwise, use what suits you, not your guitar player.
Ken
rockstarbassist
Inactive
Depends on what style you're playing.
If you're going for the Meshuggah and the lulzy "djent" stuff, and simply need to double the guitards, just do what Dick Lovgren does and play an octave up- EBEA. Pretty sure they go down to F# so he tunes his E up a step to that, and the rest following accordingly on his Warwicks.
If you're doing more of like a Stef Carpenter/Deftones thing, just figure out whatever the lowest note you'll need is and go from there. I'm not a big fan of them but I think both Chi and Sergio only used like 2-3 tunings in some sort of D, C# and C. Definitely didn't go down to "match" what Stef was/is doing.
If you're going for the Meshuggah and the lulzy "djent" stuff, and simply need to double the guitards, just do what Dick Lovgren does and play an octave up- EBEA. Pretty sure they go down to F# so he tunes his E up a step to that, and the rest following accordingly on his Warwicks.
If you're doing more of like a Stef Carpenter/Deftones thing, just figure out whatever the lowest note you'll need is and go from there. I'm not a big fan of them but I think both Chi and Sergio only used like 2-3 tunings in some sort of D, C# and C. Definitely didn't go down to "match" what Stef was/is doing.
You don't gain any range.
All scales would have to be relearned. And not the same on each string..
Patterns not equidistant, intervals are now all over the place and not movable anywhere on the neck.
Why??
I am probably missing it. But, what is gained by doing this?
rockstarbassist
Inactive
If his guitards are playing 8 strings drop tuned to E, then you may be missing it unless you're a fan of the genre, yes...
If his guitards are playing 8 strings drop tuned to E, then you may be missing it unless you're a fan of the genre, yes...
I have never heard of these people or the genre.
I am just trying to get my arms around any of the possible benefit of the tuning.
4ths, standard...
5ths , give you some interesting things, (stick)..
even 3rds, especially if you are doing a lot of chords gives you some really interesting options (easy 7ths, 9ths, 13ths).
I would tell him to learn his craft a little better so he doesn't have to use an outrageous tuning like that. From my experience I've found that SOME guitarists especially young ones these days are very anal about tunings. Play the tuning you WANT to play, you have a full scale and can transpose and most likely cut through better in the mix.
mostfoulvillain said:
Is your E string tuned to match his lowest string? If so then I would say yes. Slap a 5 string set or heavier gauges from circle k. And have at it. I would tune to match his bottom 4 strings.
mp40smg said:
Ease of doubling riffs. It sounds a little more in tune using the same tuning also.
Assuming he is matching the low end on the guitars, if he's playing an octive up I would tune it eade like he has or leave it STD. He could also shoot the middle and tune bead and that might be interesting.
Yeah, its not a musicianship thing its just about making it sound tight and easy to play.
