Questions tagged [alternative-tunings]
Methods of tuning the open strings on a guitar or other chordophone that differ from what is considered to be standard.
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questions
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2answers
80 views
Is there a public domain collection of common musical tunings? [closed]
I'm creating a software synthesizer and I want to add musical tunings, mostly those like you can find in keyboards from Roland etc.
Now I don't have them in my mind, and I wish to add at least 5 to ...
3
votes
4answers
265 views
Why isn't the guitar tuned EADGCE? [duplicate]
One of the most annoying idiosyncrasies of standard guitar tuning EADGBE is that third between the G and the B. When you move chord shapes or scale patterns around the neck you always have to take ...
5
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2answers
87 views
When was “Nashville Tuning” invented?
Answering a question about alternate tuning today got me thinking about Nashville Tuning and that this is basically the exact same concept used by Stanley Clarke (and apparently Ron Carter) to "invent"...
2
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2answers
100 views
Tuning a keyboard
Is there any software in which I can connect my casio keyboard (mk-210) to use as input and select the tuning in cents or frequency for each note manually to listen to as an output so I can try ...
4
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3answers
687 views
Tune high B and E strings one octave apart like the other strings?
Traditionally high B and E strings are tuned in unison.
Why are they tuned like this? Unlike the rest of strings.
If this can be done anyways. Could this be achieved with the standard set of ...
1
vote
3answers
146 views
How to Choose the Best Alternate Tuning
This is essentially a generalized version of this question for fingerstyle guitar, and I'm surprised I can't find it on this website: how do I find the most optimal alternate tuning for a guitar/bass(/...
6
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2answers
902 views
Can I use one string gauge for standard D and drop B tuning?
I've been using 10 - 48 gauge strings for standard E tuning for 3 years, but I want to change to standard D tuning. I read somewhere that I should use 11 - 58 or 10 - 58 gauge strings for this tuning; ...
4
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4answers
363 views
The implications of tuning a 12-string guitar in fifths [closed]
I would like to take the chance to discuss the theoretical implications of my alternate tuning for a 12-string guitar. You can find the original question here. So for reference I was talking about the ...
13
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1answer
163 views
How accurate are 12TET approximations of Japanese scales?
Is it possible on normal European instruments to play Japanese scales like the Hirajōshi, Insen, In, Ryo, etc, without retuning? If I do have to retune, where can I find out which exact intervals are ...
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3answers
458 views
Strat tuned to C standard with 13-56 strings - intonation problems
I play a hardtail stratocaster with the following set of strings: 13, 17, W26, W36, W44, W56 (W means wound) and tuned to C standard: C F Bb Eb G C.
Since all the time now I have intonation issues. ...
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2answers
428 views
Should I increase the number of wraps around tuning peg if tuning down
I used this method for stringing my guitar:
https://www.taylorguitars.com/support/strings/changing-steel-strings
Which states:
"Two to three wraps is perfect for the bass strings."
If I were to ...
30
votes
7answers
8k views
Why do E♯ and F♮ not sound the same (according to Wikipedia)?
I was just reading the Wikipedia page on the note F (as I do every evening) and was confused by this part where it says that even though F♮ and E♯ are enharmonic they “do not sound the same”:
E♯ is ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Can a piccolo guitar (Ibanez ewp32) be tuned to standard?
Is there a way to string or tune a piccolo guitar (the Ibanez ewp32 in particular), which comes tuned in A naturally, be tuned to standard? And would that increase or decrease the string tension? I ...
1
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2answers
98 views
How to stop a 5-string capo blocking my fretting of the bottom E string?
I want to play a fingerstyle guitar based on open-voiced chords in the key of D, capoed to be in D, Eb or E for performance. I'd love to have the low D from a drop-D tuning but this messes up some ...
1
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1answer
72 views
String Off Tune
I just got an Arabic Oud, I recently notice that my 5th string is off tune when I tune the string. That would be in the 3rd course. I decided to put some small piece of paper under by where it touches ...
3
votes
3answers
300 views
G-D-A naming convention
I've tuned my guitar to CGCGGe in order to learn 'Head Down' from Soundgarden, and are now experimenting a bit with that tuning. While in that specific tuning, and you hold a normal power chord rooted ...
5
votes
3answers
330 views
Need help understanding the difference between diatonic and chromatic semitones
I am writing an essay on musical temperaments for which I was doing some research on the history of tuning and how it evolved over time. I understand the Pythagorean tuning system quite well now but I ...
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1answer
239 views
How far to de-tune an orchestra to match the BBC World Service pips (beeps)?
The BBC World Service Radio pips (or beeps) are an iconic aspect of the radio program broadcast around the planet by shortwave radio as well as the internet now.
The 2 minute podcast A brand new ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Stringing an acoustic for down-tuning
Any acoustic guitar experts willing to help me out with some info?
I would like to have an acoustic guitar tuned down a step and a half (C#F#BEG#C#, and at times open Bsus2 BF#BEbF#C#) for a big warm ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
String gauge for playing on Drop G# on a 25.5 scale 7 string guitar
I recently bought an Ibanez RG7421, which is a 7 string guitar with a 25.5 scale. It came tuned in standard tuning (from 1st to 7th: E B G D A E B). I want to tune it to drop G# (D# C F# C# G# D# G#) ...
2
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1answer
216 views
Why is a banjo on a lesson book's tracks tuned to 438hz?
I have a Hal Leonard banjo lesson book that includes a series of tracks for downloading, including 5 tracks with tuning notes. I tuned a banjo using an electronic tuner set to 440hz, and noticed the ...
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6answers
2k views
Why do I want different guitars for different tunings?
A lot of books and blog posts I've read, including Guitars for Dummies, The Rough Guide to Guitar, and this Stack Exchange question, encourage or expect me to have different guitars with different ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How to change bass guitar tuning in Sibelius 8?
How can I change my bass guitar tuning? In this case I want to have a whole step down standard tuning (DGCFAD) (for 4 string bass it should be DGCF). How can I do it?
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1answer
133 views
What Increments Are The Tuning Settings On My Keyboard
I have a keyboard, a Roland RS-50, and I have been playing around in D Double Harmonic major a lot recently. That Wikipedia article says that you can play the scale with quarter tones, and I'd like ...
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2answers
1k views
Can I tune an Ukulele in DGBD without damaging it?
I got an Ukulele as a gift. I am not a ukulele music fan, and I dislike its tuning scheme, but I like the fact that it is lightweight, small and soft enough for my kid to tinker with it, and I would ...
2
votes
1answer
640 views
Can I tune a banjolel to DGBE?
I play baritone uke tuned DGBE. Can I set up my banjolele to be DGBE also? Banjolele now is standard uke GCEA tuning.
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1answer
739 views
Tuning six-string in open D, just intonation?
I am playing a six-string guitar tuned to open D (DADF#AD).
I have “heard tell” of players who use the principles of “just intonation” to... improve/make more pleasing to the ear... the intonation of ...
3
votes
1answer
155 views
What alternate tuning improves ease of playing in a specific family of keys?
I play the hurdy-gurdy, and a guitarist friend has joined me over the past months to play acoustic music together. My instrument is in the key of C, and we transpose whatever we want to learn into C (...
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3answers
788 views
Is even-interval tuning a sensible idea for lead guitar?
I'm primarily a rhythm guitarist who has recently taken up bass. I've been struck how easy the equal 4th intervals between strings is for scale patterns, which surely have as much relevance for lead ...
3
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4answers
2k views
How to learn a new guitar tuning
What techniques and practices are best to learn a new guitar tuning?
I am familiar enough with standard tuning to play rhythm parts in several places and also improvise with different scales.
I want ...
7
votes
2answers
448 views
Octaves doubling on double bass in “Sometimes I'm happy” by Lester Young?
I am intrigued by the sound of what I assume to be a Double Bass played with a bow in "Sometimes I'm happy" by Lester Young, between minute 1 and minute 2.
If I am ...
11
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6answers
17k views
Do I risk ruining my guitar by switching the tuning often?
I'm currently learning a song which needs drop-d tuning.
Since I found myself switching back and forth from drop-d to standard tuning a couple of times a day, I wonder if I'm risking damage to the ...
1
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2answers
726 views
Do alternative tunings exist for 12-string guitars? [duplicate]
I often use alternative tunings for 6-string guitars. Now I'm facing a 12-string guitar.
Do alternative tunings exist for 12-string guitars?
6
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3answers
2k views
What are some of the alternate tunings of a modern piano?
Modern Pianos are tuned to equal temperament at A440. Are there other prominent alternate tunings used in art music or popular music? I'm accepting that historical reproductions will tune the A to 430 ...
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vote
3answers
420 views
Guitar: Fretless fretboard (why ebgdaE?)
There are many fretless percussion/stringed instruments from/relating-to many different cultures each tuned to a predetermined set of notes/note relationships.
In our (Western?) culture it seems to ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
What do you think of attempting to tune an Acoustic 12-string one full step up?
Many like to tune a 12 string 1/2 to 1 full step down. I understand it reduces tension, reduces breaking the high G string and/or allows you to run thicker gauges for a fuller sound.
However I ...
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3answers
6k views
Do Scale Shapes change with different tunings?
All the scale diagrams I've seen are shown in E standard tuning.
Would the scale shape change in another tuning, like Drop D for example? Alternatively, do I just keep the same scale shape regardless ...
4
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2answers
3k views
open tunings for bass?
Long time bass [hack] player, also play a little bit of guitar, working on learning some music theory to expand my understanding of the mechanics of creating music. I'm curious about open tunings on ...
2
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1answer
329 views
Create chords for alternate tuning?
In my specific case, I have a baritone ukulele which I tuned to all-fourths (personal preference), making its strings match the lower 4 strings of the standard guitar tuning (G4-D4-A3-E3). It also ...
0
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2answers
124 views
How is this electric guitar tuned?
The song in question is "Pet Carrot" by Palehound.
You can hear the guitar right at the beginning of this video:
I thought it was a bass at first. Anyone know the ...
2
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2answers
2k views
Is it possible to tune a short scale (22.4") acoustic guitar up to ADGCEa with 10-47 strings?
I'm considering getting this guitar: http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ds_10_mini.htm?ref=search_rslt_benton+mini_321012_0
According to the description, the scale is 568mm (~22.36") and it comes ...
2
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3answers
5k views
Is it more difficult to learn to play mandolin after learning guitar than if starting from scratch since the tuning is opposite?
My main instrument is guitar. I have played electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar and 12 string guitar and the patterns and fingering is pretty much the same. I have tried playing a 4 ...
2
votes
1answer
586 views
Lowered or drop tuning interchangeability
Let's say I want to play "Master of Puppets" by Metallica but I like the heavy sound of D standard. Can I play the riffs in that tuning using the same chord fingerings as in E standard to get the ...
3
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1answer
966 views
Is there a tuning that gives open Maj7 chords?
A song I'm playing with (Ordinary People by John Legend) basically has a 3-chord pattern BbMaj7, EbMaj7, FMaj7.
I can strum these as barre chords OK but not reliably finger-pick, and as I'd like a ...
3
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1answer
2k views
Guitar setup for which tuning?
I play songs by breaking benjamin and other rock and metal bands which are in low tunings like drop C but i also play in standard when i play for church. I want to get a new acoustic but im unsure ...
3
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4answers
916 views
EADGBE, thin to thick
How would you tune your guitar in EADGBE where the THINNEST string is closer to your CHEST and the THICKEST is closer to your BELT? Not in a Hendrix way, that is inverted. I mean regular EADGBE, with ...
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5answers
2k views
Tuning Acoustic from Drop D to Standard Repeatedly
There are a few songs I play where Drop D tuning is required to get some nice, bass-heavy, open 6th string notes. It also facilitates many of the chords in the song in addition to adding a full tone. ...
8
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7answers
59k views
Tuning for small-size guitar?
I have a toy store, where we try to get decent kids instruments among other things.
One of the guitars we stock is the Janod "Confetti" series guitar. It's 25" long, open string length is 16". I sold ...
6
votes
1answer
165 views
Double Sharps in Just Intonation. The mathematics?
So I'm experimenting around and I'm creating a small little thing in C#### minor just because. I understand the mathematics of C#### in Pythagorean and Equal Temperment music systems but how do you ...
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2answers
978 views
How to tune your guitar to F major on capo 5?
So i'm learning how to play yesterday by Beatles on my acoustic guitar and I have self taught myself so I have no tuning knowledge about the guitar whatsoever. So when watching this video about how to ...
