Which tuning frequency should I set on my tuner?

[Element Zero]

(What's the frequency, Kenneth?)

 

[groooooove]

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.

A lot of professional orchestras tune to "period correct" frequencies. Those are often elite groups featuring period original instruments (or very expensive and precise replicas) of the early 1700s and so on - so a specialized thing, not the norm necessarily. (though their recordings are heard often.) I have played in many orchestra, and in many classical settings, never once have I not tuned to A= 440.

where did you hear this about stu Hamm or sir Paul? I'm not saying I don't believe it, but just that it sounds... rather unlikely.

at the end of the day, going away from the standard is pretty useless - outside of playing along with old recordings, or perhaps the piano in your concert hall has slipped a bit under the surely intended 440.

 

[TNCreature]

I don't understand that response. But you do you!

 

[chuck1073]

"Stu Hamm tunes 3 cents flat"...And with interest, Stu now owes me 9-cents.

 

[Ekulati]

where did you hear this about stu Hamm or sir Paul? I'm not saying I don't believe it, but just that it sounds... rather unlikely.

My thoughts too. Would love to know where those came from.

That said, I tune one of my basses' low open E string a couple of cents flat just because it then makes my fretted notes perfectly in tune. But the reason is very different from that supposedly used by Stu.

 

[groooooove]

My thoughts too. Would love to know where those came from.

That said, I tune one of my basses' low open E string a couple of cents flat just because it then makes my fretted notes perfectly in tune. But the reason is very different from that supposedly used by Stu.

thats what I was thinking - a bass that needs a new nut, has a warped neck, or in the best case scenario just needs a bridge adjustment. I doubt that's a reality for stu Hamm.

And I hope my last post didn't come off the wrong way - I'm genuinely asking for the source because I find it interesting that such reputable people would partake in something so rediculous

 

[SAlcott]

If you want to be a bass player who plays with other musicians, tune to 440, EADG, learn the instrument, and then if you want to start experimenting, you'll have a solid foundation.

 

[chuck3]

Why would you get new strings?

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Don’t bother tuning at all. It’s more exciting that way.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

A440 is standard, but if you play with an acoustic piano (which might be out of tune), tune to the piano's A.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

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? )

Practicing without an amp is a bad idea, especially as a beginner. This often leads to overexertion (so you can hear yourself) which can lead to physical problems, and/or bad tone. It’s also important to learn to listen for what sounds good and bad when plugged in, many technical flaws can go unnoticed when you play without an amp of some sort, and over time those can become bad habits, many of which are very hard to break. There are portable bass practice devices to fit every budget, my choice is an old Korg Pandora Px5D (which was quite expensive when it was new), anything that can get you at least practicing with headphones is a good idea.

Once you have your technique settled, sure, pros practice without an amp from time to time, but I usually find that kind of annoying, I’ve got two kids making noise, and a wife yelling at my kids, so it’s tough to compete

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Actually, I have another string question Which tuning do you use when practising and which would u recommend? (EADG or dropped C or perhaps a different one)

Wait, so you're playing metal? But have questions about strings? Maybe you should learn some fundamentals first before you completely screw up your technique playing death metal bro. Just saying. I used to play in punk bands, and grunge bands, I was also playing in a death metal band, in drop G for the last couple years. I quit, and joined a reggea band instead. Dude, it's been tough. A complete eye opener to me that I never truly got a grasp on my fundamentals before going B Deep in hard rock music. Technique, arpeggios, technique, scales, technique. In that order. That's what you need first bro. Just saying. That would've done wonders for me a decade and a half ago. Playing metal was easy. The more harsh it sounds, the better. Getting clean, even, consistent notes (fast or slow) in time, is tough. It requires a lot of work. Not just simply moving your fingers around the board. That's easy. The drums and guitar drown you out like no other anyway.

Oh, and if you dont practice with an amp, you'll never know what your playing sounds like. It all sounds like clicking regardless. Plugged in, you'll find out quick how bad you're playing. That's what you need to work on. Trust me on this one. For real.

 

[donotfret]

Preferably exactly 1Hz higher than the tuner of your guitarist. It's a big enough difference to notice and it's small enough to make the guitarist blame it on himself. This will keep the excessive soloing to a minimum.

 

[Nunovsky]

My tuner has frequency range between 435 and 445 Hz. Which frequency should I select to tune my bass the best?

You should set to the same frequency that the rest of the guys in your band use to tune to.
Basically, this is it.

 

[Pulverizor]

Always 440hz EXCEPT in the case you have hardcopies of a signed agreement by ALL members of the band witnessed by a Justice Of The Peace filed with your lawyer.

 

[thedukeofno]

EADG to 440hz. If you habitually practice without an amp you may develop a harder attack, which may or may not be desirable to you.

 

[basscapes]

I ususally use 440hz. But sometimes, based on the players in the band, I'll set it a few hertz higher or lower (438-436 or 442-443, for eg.)

Some guitarists hit or fret pretty hard too (not just us bass players!). As a result, they tend to pull their notes slightly sharp (think, James Hetfield of Metallica); during the recording of "Smell The Glove", Jason had to actually tune slightly sharp to he would be in tune with Hetfield's rhythm guitar parts.*

* Source- a Bass Player Magazine interview with Jason Newstead after the release of the Black Album (which the band has jokingly refereed to as "Smell The Glove").

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

No need for an amp to work on your fingering exercises, and or coordination between right and left hands. In fact, it may be better working without an amp for that. That said, anything that deals with dynamics, an amp is essential.

 

[BassBrass]

I have played in many orchestra, and in many classical settings, never once have I not tuned to A= 440.

You tune to the oboe who consults with the concertmaster (the 1st chair violin). We assume the concertmaster consults with the conductor-music director who consults with the Board of Trustees if they care. (In the major orchestras, they do, mostly for p.r. reasons)

This non digital exchange between oboe and orchestra happens every time you play together and sometimes during intermission. It's my favorite part of a concert.

The original poster has gone away but he's very young and has a strong mind like a trap door which he proceeds to trap himself in (so far).

 

[Bthebassplayer]

You could also set it to 432Hz because Thats how the tuning was before the 2nd world war. However playing along with modern songs is gonna sound out of tune....

They say 432 Hz on a energetic level is better then 440 Hz. They even put meditations on YouTube at 432 Hz and they say it’s beneficial for your health....