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.
Which tuning frequency should I set on my tuner?
- Thread starter Protegent
- Start date
440 Hz is standard. You sure do worry about your strings a lot... 
Don't forget to wash your strings every time you tune. Soap and water does the trick. A little wax afterward also goes a long way.
Don't listen to a word I say. 440 Hz is correct though.
Don't listen to a word I say. 440 Hz is correct though.
I have noticedNot sure whether you've checked my recent posts, but I've been asking those questions a lot and I figured out this place could help meThanks for your help.
Actually, I have another string questionI have noticed
Which tuning do you use when practising and which would u recommend? (EADG or dropped C or perhaps a different one)
Actually, I have another string question
it all depends on what you want to play and how. there are all sorts of different tunings that people use. EADG is standard.
Yea, but perhaps some are better for practising than others. When I practise, I dont even use AMP, so I dont care about the sound... (does practising without AMP make sense to you?
)
No.
Practice like you intend to play.
If you don't care what it sounds like, what constitutes practice? How will you know if you are getting better?
Sure - I do it all the time. But I can hear what I'm playing.
440hz is standard.
EADG is standard.
Using an amp is standard.
Some people make great art by breaking the rules and being non-standard.
EADG is standard.
Using an amp is standard.
Some people make great art by breaking the rules and being non-standard.
And some people make abominable noise no one wants to hear.440hz is standard.
EADG is standard.
Using an amp is standard.
Some people make great art by breaking the rules and being non-standard.
Tune to A=440.
If you want to be in tune with other musicians use 440Hz, otherwise it doesn't matter.
Use whatever tuning you prefer.
Use whatever tuning you prefer.
Nah dude, there ain’t a practice tuning different from whatever tuning the song is played in. Also practicing without an amp is normal, but in case you haven’t noticed you can still hear your bassYea, but perhaps some are better for practising than others. When I practise, I dont even use AMP, so I dont care about the sound... (does practising without AMP make sense to you?
Stu Hamm tunes 3 cents flat so setting the tuner to 439Hz will be minuscule flat but Stu claims that the bass and especially the two low strings (E and A) inherently have a slightly sharp attack and tuning this tiny amount flat makes the bass sit better in the mix and make the overall sound more "relaxed"..
If you play with a symphony orchestra it is more likely that they tune to 442/443Hz than 440Hz.
Paul McCartney apparently tunes slightly sharp (444Hz) of the standard when performing live, which might makes his sound more "energetic" or uplifting when people are used to hearing the A4=440Hz pitch..
I prefer a slightly flatter pitch.. Old continental pitch at A4=435Hz tickles my bones. Still sound "familiar" (430Hz/-40 cents sounds way flat) but fatter and rounder and for me makes singing high notes a little easier. My passaggio (vocal break) seems to sit better when I tune to A4=435Hz. I also find it way more common for people to sing flat than sharp so a slightly flatter standard actually seem more logical.
If you play with a symphony orchestra it is more likely that they tune to 442/443Hz than 440Hz.
Paul McCartney apparently tunes slightly sharp (444Hz) of the standard when performing live, which might makes his sound more "energetic" or uplifting when people are used to hearing the A4=440Hz pitch..
I prefer a slightly flatter pitch.. Old continental pitch at A4=435Hz tickles my bones. Still sound "familiar" (430Hz/-40 cents sounds way flat) but fatter and rounder and for me makes singing high notes a little easier. My passaggio (vocal break) seems to sit better when I tune to A4=435Hz. I also find it way more common for people to sing flat than sharp so a slightly flatter standard actually seem more logical.
Last edited:
440 is what most musicians use. If you want a different frequency make sure everyone else does too
D
Deleted member 165050
Guest
Western concert pitch is usually 440, but there are others in use... Japan is 442 and I know classical musicians who use 435.
There are plenty of articles around that tell you one particular frequency or other means you are in tune with the fundamental frequency of the universe or the orbit of Neptune or your brainwaves or whatever, but these articles usually also tell you that if you go too far in any direction you’ll fall of the edge of the world.
Yea, but perhaps some are better for practising than others. When I practise, I dont even use AMP, so I dont care about the sound... (does practising without AMP make sense to you?
If you don't care about the sound why care about the tuning.
Unless you know why you’re tuning differently than standard, stick to A=440.
I meant to say "I don't care about the sound while practising..." And I asked about tuning because I'm planning to get new strings and I will choose guage based on the tuning I will prefer. For example now, when I tune to dropped C and play without AMP, I can't hear anything but the string hitting frets/fretboard, which doesn't feel as good as EADG without AMP.
