ok, i need an alternate tuning...

[bassguy]

ok, so im just lookin for something different, and i dont know how i should tune, im thinkin about tuning like cello, but htat doesnt work on a 5 stringer...any advice/can i keep my bass in alterd tunings for long periods?

[Slap_Thatb_Ass]

You can do cello tuning.

 

Try:

B (The Same)

C (Down a Third)

G (Down a Second)

D (The Same)

A (Up a Second)

 

And just dont worry about the B string. This will turn out to be an octave below cello tuning, and is really cool I think.

 

Try drop A

 

AEADG

 

or Drop D

 

BDADG

 

Just experiment if none of these are fun, intervals I would suggest that woul be easy on a bass are 2nd, 3rds, and 5ths.

 

If you are going to stick with one of these tunings, you'll need to setup your bass with different guage strings, file the nut, and adjust the string height. Chances are you'll come back to standard though.

 

Happy tuning!

Chad

[sunburstbasser]

Pick a chord. Since D Minor is the saddest key, we'll use that.

 

D Minor is:

 

D

F

A

 

You have

 

B

E

A

D

G

 

So go

 

D

F

A

D

A

 

and viola! Open D Minor tuning.

 

Tune the F to F# for Open D Major.

 

Use the notes EGB for E Minor, G# for Major.

 

CEG for C Major, or add the B for open C Major 7.

[bassguy]

those are both good ideas...hmm...lol...

 

 

so how easy is it to switch nuts on a bass?...

 

like if i started hotrodding a sx pbass

[sunburstbasser]

Most nuts are held in by a spot of glue. A hammer and a pole should get them out pretty easily. In addition, if you plan on experimenting a lot, DON'T glue the new nut in. Mark it somehow for the string gauges/tuning used, and just set it in. The string pressure will hold it down more than hard enough.

 

If the hammer/pole thing doesn't work, use a grinder and grind the entire fretboard down. You now have a fretless, and its ready for a new nut!

[Incubitabus]

I've been toying with the idea of extending my rang out a bit. I hear switching from like this:

 

B->B

E->F

A->B

D->F

G->B (or A)

 

This basically makes it so instead of tuning to the 5th fret on the lower string, you'll tune to the 6th fret. This facilitates a greater span of note possibilities without having to slide up and down the neck as much.

 

Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne uses a detuned variation of this, tuning from low to high: GCGCF

 

I have toyed with this idea a bit since i have larger hands and can make a 1-6 jump with next to no movement up or down the neck. I think it could open the doors to a whole new set of arpeggios that I've never before been comfortable playing...

[Bassius]

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Pick a chord. Since D Minor is the saddest key, we'll use that. .

 

i think d minor is a happy key

 

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by Incubitabus I've been toying with the idea of extending my rang out a bit. I hear switching from like this: B->B E->F A->B D->F G->B (or A) This basically makes it so instead of tuning to the 5th fret on the lower string, you'll tune to the 6th fret. This facilitates a greater span of note possibilities without having to slide up and down the neck as much. Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne uses a detuned variation of this, tuning from low to high: GCGCF I have toyed with this idea a bit since i have larger hands and can make a 1-6 jump with next to no movement up or down the neck. I think it could open the doors to a whole new set of arpeggios that I've never before been comfortable playing...

 

 

Martinie is using Perfect 5ths, your using tritones. C-G is 7 frets, C-F 5, G-C 5. The idea of using straight tritones doesn't really appeal to me, at least not for long.

[Bassius]

i like

 

ADADA

 

or

 

GDGDG

[J the D]

Unless you are a guitar player using a lot of open strings in your chords you don't need any alternate tuning. Just play the notes called for in the key you are playing.

 

BTW, I try to not use any open string except the E.

[sunburstbasser]

Originally posted by J the D Unless you are a guitar player using a lot of open strings in your chords you don't need any alternate tuning. Just play the notes called for in the key you are playing. BTW, I try to not use any open string except the E.

 

This makes sense for most applications, but what if you use a lot of natural harmonics? Altered tunings can give you harmonic intervals you can't get otherwise. Or, if you play solo bass spots, altered tunings can add a lot to a piece with the easier chord shapes, like Manring uses.

 

Otherwise, yeah they aren't so useful but sometimes!

[Adrenochrome]

I've never stuck with anything other than standard intervals. I find other intervals unhelpful when writing songs or jamming when you need to change keys and positions on the neck. I have all my basses tuned BEAD or EADG or BEADG.

[MorePaul]

keep in mind, using a 5ths tuning tends to

 

1 - stretch out your positions pretty good (you start thinking in "upper" and "lower" positions like a cellist...the other violin family members have it a little easier in that they can grab 4-per-string)

 

2 - your scales go through this "retrograde motion" --- the center sort of creaps down the neck as you move up

 

 

4ths (or 4ths based) tunings will probably give you a more comfortable range for chording work

 

for natural harmonics, I'd honestly suggest getting into stopped/fretted harmonics (take a page from our classical guit bretheren on that) to extend the availability of options

 

That's not to say "don't use an alternate tuning" - just some persspective on some approaches

[conk97]

i use ADADG on my 5er

[MorePaul]

hmm, kind of a "DADGAD for bass" I guess (D sus 4)

[sunburstbasser]

 

Originally posted by MorePaul keep in mind, using a 5ths tuning tends to 1 - stretch out your positions pretty good (you start thinking in "upper" and "lower" positions like a cellist...the other violin family members have it a little easier in that they can grab 4-per-string) 2 - your scales go through this "retrograde motion" --- the center sort of creaps down the neck as you move up 4ths (or 4ths based) tunings will probably give you a more comfortable range for chording work for natural harmonics, I'd honestly suggest getting into stopped/fretted harmonics (take a page from our classical guit bretheren on that) to extend the availability of options That's not to say "don't use an alternate tuning" - just some persspective on some approaches

 

 

Fretted harmonics will go only so far. At least on my bass, they don't ring out like the open string harmonics. It really depends on how you use harmonics though, I suppose.

[TwYzTyR]

Originally posted by Bassius i think d minor is a happy key

 

You've obviously never seen Spinal Tap.

[MorePaul]

Originally posted by sunburstbasser Fretted harmonics will go only so far. At least on my bass, they don't ring out like the open string harmonics. It really depends on how you use harmonics though, I suppose.

 

Nothing is perfect to be sure (esp on a fretless instrument, since your finger is the terminus, it can lack a little sustain)

 

Q : are you plucking with a or with c ?

 

Also, I've noticed while folks get pretty used to the exact positions of the nodes on the open string (and since they are using the "fingerboard" hand, that facility is a little more "regular"), they often don't take the time to get i directly on the node when the string is stopped, and this can go quite a bit of the way to muffling the ring

[sunburstbasser]

Originally posted by MorePaul Nothing is perfect to be sure (esp on a fretless instrument, since your finger is the terminus, it can lack a little sustain) Q : are you plucking with a or with c ? Also, I've noticed while folks get pretty used to the exact positions of the nodes on the open string (and since they are using the "fingerboard" hand, that facility is a little more "regular"), they often don't take the time to get i directly on the node when the string is stopped, and this can go quite a bit of the way to muffling the ring

 

I've found the nodes on stopped strings and figured out where to stop them fairly well. "Birdland" and "Portrait of Tracy" pose no significant problems. But some instruments just don't ring out as well as others.

[MorePaul]

true dat (for harmonics and just regular playing) - wwod and string, each animal is it's own being to be sure

 

 

Q : are you using a or c to pluck?

 

I've found there can be quuite a diff, esp if you are finding the need to pump good clean energy into the string

[Slap_Thatb_Ass]

 

Originally posted by MorePaul true dat (for harmonics and just regular playing) - wwod and string, each animal is it's own being to be sure Q : are you using a or c to pluck? I've found there can be quuite a diff, esp if you are finding the need to pump good clean energy into the string

 

 

What does that mean? "a or c"