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

[MR PC]

I think bluegrass bass recording icons like Junior Huskey and Cedric Rainwater, ect were well aware of this music. Israel Crosby on bass here, playing blues in C# minor.

 

[macteacher]

I just played a gig where the whole band tunes down.

I did too.

No big shake really...

The bass performed fine, though it was only a 1/2 step..

 

[bobsax]

I just played a gig where the whole band tunes down.

I did too.

No big shake really...

The bass performed fine, though it was only a 1/2 step..

Did you do it on upright?

I recently loosened the strings on my DB so I could raised the action a little.
I decided to leave it a whole step low, DGCF, just for kicks.
It plays pretty nice but I haven't tried playing it out yet. I have to transpose everything up a step. I guess that would put it in Bb?

An interesting side note.
The wolf tone G and Ab (on the G string) was much less when they were played on the F string (where the 3rd fret would be if it had frets)

 

[David Jayne]

Smack 'em with a fish.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Oh, and for me I just think about the chords in I, II, IV, etc., not by the key name. Guitarists in BG love to use the capo, some for ease and some for the ability to choose certain voicings. So you have to learn to read their left hand and figure out if it's the I, IV, etc. chord. But heaven forbid you get the guitarist trying to show you a song on the fly, who doesn't understand the numerical system of chords, and calls out "C", but he's capo'd up 4 frets. But I think learning and thinking about the relative position of the chords rather than their names will keep you from being that bassist "staring at his left hand wondering what the heck to do next".

Doesn't one still need to identify what the 1 chord is to be able to follow it with the 4 and 5?

 

[martinc]

Doesn't one still need to identify what the 1 chord is to be able to follow it with the 4 and 5?

Yes. Either from the chord shapes (with a capo) on the guitar or being able to hear or quickly figure out the key yourself.
Surely all this should not be a problem though. Don't you talk about the song and the key before you start? If the guitar player/singer doesn't know then figure it for them.
Also...I agree with those who say detuning is not necessary. For most bluegrass material it should not be too difficult to play in a sharped or flatted key.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Surely all this should not be a problem though. Don't you talk about the song and the key before you start? .

Yes, as this was kind of my point.

 

[MTBassMania]

So I kinda skipped through most of the responses, but I've run into what the OP is saying alot - especially with amateur guitarists that are more into being a rock star than a musician. If they can't give you the PROPER KEY AND CHORDS to whatever they're playing, you have my permission to slap 'em and walk out. Drives me crazy when someone puts a capo on or drop tunes, and says "It's just G, C, and D," when the ACTUAL chord harmony turns out to be F, Bb, and C (or whatever), and they're just using the "G, C, and D" chord "hand shapes." As far as drop tuning your bass (DB or EB), I don't really see the point - unless you NEED to hit lower than your open E. I highly suggest just getting a 5-string, if that's the case - it fills that gap. And learn how to transpose - it's really not that hard, and it will make you a more capable musician.

 

[David Jayne]

Tuning down is a whole lot easier than buying a five string...... been there. There are good reasons to get a five, but this isn't one.
+1 to learning to transpose. I wouldn't last long in my band without it.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Tuning down is a whole lot easier than buying a five string...... been there. There are good reasons to get a five, but this isn't one.
+1 to learning to transpose. I wouldn't last long in my band without it.

Yup, it is a LOT easier than buying another $4000+ double bass with a fifth string.