Double Bass What do you do with Guitar players that tune down a half step?

[bobsax]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think guitar players tuning down a half step is trending?
I've heard of some (fairly famous) Gypsy guys doing it.
I've started working with a guy that does it , fortunately it's a piano gig so it actually (for me) makes it a little easier to play. I slightly prefer Db to D on the piano but if I bring in the Upright it'l be all closed playing.
Plus like a lot of guys he brings covers from sites like Cowboy Lyrics where it's just words and chords and we have to translate everything. Nashville chord speak works but he doesn't know it so when I say take it from the 4 chord he's like a dear in the headlights

So the question is ;
----do (or can) DB players tune down a half step also?

 

[BobKay]

I've been told it is somewhat common for rock guitarists? Not sure. I recently played behind a guy who tuned down one-half step, then started using a capo. And then asked me to follow his original composition. Really confusing and kind of silly. I've never tuned the bass down. I have dropped the E to D for a specific song, but that's all. Sorry, can't really help.

 

[Sam Reese]

My response is in regard to working with guitars (not keyboards): Yep, you can drop it down. It's a slinkier feel, but can save immense amounts of brain energy regarding transposition especially when they tune to Db and use a capo.

 

[Holdsg]

My gut reaction to seeing your headline was....shoot em.
But seriously, guitar players have been tuning down a half step for a long time, Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, many others, makes it easier to bend (and sing for aging voices).
I've detuned my electric bass depending on the situation.
I've not had to detune my upright, but could see doing it. half a step is not much.
When I play keys in my blues/rock band, its easy to just do a global transpose. Wish tuning a bass was that easy.

 

[SAlcott]

My gut reaction to seeing your headline was....shoot em.
But seriously, guitar players have been tuning down a half step for a long time, Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, many others, makes it easier to bend (and sing for aging voices).
I've detuned my electric bass depending on the situation.
I've not had to detune my upright, but could see doing it. half a step is not much.
When I play keys in my blues/rock band, its easy to just do a global transpose. Wish tuning a bass was that easy.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I've had to tune down to a badly out of tune piano before.

That was a nightmare, because the strings became floppy (not enough resistance) and the bass just didn't speak with less tension on the table.

 

[elgecko]

If a guitarist elects to tune down, it's their responsibility to to transpose to the "correct" key.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

My gut reaction to seeing your headline was....shoot em.

That's what I was thinking!

 

[Steve Swan]

Play all closed notes. The tone is better there anyway. If you play the notes up around the neck heel area, your bandmates will love you for it.

 

[bobsax]

Play all closed notes. The tone is better there anyway. If you play the notes up around the neck heel area, your bandmates will love you for it.

You're the man Steve
I've taken you're advice, lowered the strings and play a lot more closed position now.
I still don't have the confidence or chops/strength to do it all the time but I do try to do closed for a chorus or two on every song.
..getting there

 

[Jay Corwin]

My guitarists capo about half of the time. It's super common in bluegrass. I just ask for the actual key. It's actually comical at times when guys ask me for a chord in a song, and I tell them.....but they are capo'd, and well that confuses guitarists sometimes.

I really don't care how they are tuned as long as I know the correct key.

 

[mikeGJ]

There is no whining in bass playing, at least not out loud.

Your ear and knowledge of the fingerboard are your friends here.

I don't think I'd last long in a band with a Db guitar, but Bb, B, Eb are all keys that come up for vocalists, or other reasons, and are not that fun on 4 strings.

 

[martinc]

You're the man Steve
I've taken you're advice, lowered the strings and play a lot more closed position now.
I still don't have the confidence or chops/strength to do it all the time but I do try to do closed for a chorus or two on every song.
..getting there

bob: Don't get too serious about playing up around the neck heel area as Steve suggests! If you are playing bluegrass there's a good chance you will be playing with someone who has a Martin Herringbone D-28....and those bass strings will be producing a lower note than you are.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Have you tried just tuning down the half step? I've always found transposing a whole night of E, G, A guitar-centric stuff to be a helluva lot more pain in the ass than dealing with a little less tension especially if I have to sing harmonies. Unless you're playing with no amplification using low tension strings and/or really low action tuning down despite feeling weird initially is something you can get used to if you give it a few songs without obsessing over the fact your bass feels and sounds different.

 

[Steve Swan]

Sorry that I wasn't more complete and clear about my suggestion for playing "up around the neck heel area". Given a choice of playing an open note or one near the nut, I usually play that note on the next string down up in the neck heel area. It allows a short and fat tuba note with a lot more drive and pump. I don't use the G string much when I am playing bluegrass bass. The emphasis for me is getting the "bass drum" part of it going. The relatively stringier sound of open notes or those played down near the nut don't appeal to me much for bluegrass playing.

 

[martinc]

Sorry that I wasn't more complete and clear about my suggestion for playing "up around the neck heel area". Given a choice of playing an open note or one near the nut, I usually play that note on the next string down up in the neck heel area. It allows a short and fat tuba note with a lot more drive and pump. I don't use the G string much when I am playing bluegrass bass. The emphasis for me is getting the "bass drum" part of it going. The relatively stringier sound of open notes or those played down near the nut don't appeal to me much for bluegrass playing.

Steve: interesting approach. To me, a bluegrass band needs something down in the lower end to give it some balance because of the high range of the other instruments. I love a punchy low end sound but I suppose a lot depends on the band and the material that is played. On my bass a Bb up near the nut on the A string really thumps out so I like to use it as the root when it fits the song/tune. I don't always use the open G because, as you say, it's a "tighter" sounding note. So I use the G on the D string frequently. I must admit though I am guided by Ray Brown's ( I think) comment about this.... " It's a bass. Play the low notes!"
As far as the original post in concerned though....I struggle along in regular tuning playing everything down a semi-tone. Thankfully it has only happened a couple of times as far as I can remember. Any guitar player who insists on tuning down can expect a chilly reception at most jam sessions.

 

[2saddleslab]

My geetar player switches between standard and half step down all night. I just bring 2 (electric) basses and change when necessary.

 

[misterbadger]

Having read about it on earlier posts, I've been using Steve's approach successfully for several months in bluegrass groups. The notes in that area have a lot of punch and short duration - more percussive. As I've gotten more comfortable playing in that area, I've noticed that my use of the G string has dropped off considerably.

 

[BobKay]

bob: Don't get too serious about playing up around the neck heel area as Steve suggests! If you are playing bluegrass there's a good chance you will be playing with someone who has a Martin Herringbone D-28....and those bass strings will be producing a lower note than you are.

Or if you're lucky, a Taylor 900 series, or a Collings, or any of a number of great guitars. Before you sic the bluegrass police on me, I do own a Martin, but I like my 25 year old Taylor 910 more.

 

[martinc]

Or if you're lucky, a Taylor 900 series, or a Collings, or any of a number of great guitars. Before you sic the bluegrass police on me, I do own a Martin, but I like my 25 year old Taylor 910 more.

Bob: Whatever. Why would you think I would sic the bluegrass police on you? I mentioned the Herringbone because of its popularity. I could have said "fill-in the blank" or listed out every guitar that has good bass notes. But the point was more about (with tongue slightly in cheek) playing high notes on the bass.