Standard tuning vs dropped tuning

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:00 am

I noticed last night at a practice with the singer from a previous incarnation of the band I'm now in that in standard tuning my bass resonates much better.

All around better tone, and the strings aren't even new, they're starting to deaden, but they still sound livelier than down tuned new ones!

The same was noted by the guitar player about his guitar.

I've been tuned down a half tone for so long I'd forgotten.

It also makes a big difference in the feel of the RIC strings, which feel a little floppy on the A & D strings when tuned down.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:34 am

I guess it makes sense when you think about it...tighter, less floppy, more resonant.

But why were you all pitched down?

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:59 pm

To give the singers a little more leeway in their upper range.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:16 pm

I've never had luck with tuning down a Rick any more than 1/2 a step. Actually I'll only tune my Ricks standard now, but when I did it WAS in fact an effort to help the singer out.

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:57 pm

We've done it in every band I've been in except the first couple, which weren't really bands, just learning projects, I guess.

The change in resonance wasn't as pronounced until I plugged in, thus the reason for posting this.
The bass just seemed sweeter & livelier sounding all the way up the neck.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:59 pm

The few bands I have been in NEVER changed from standard tuning. Now I'm finding that EVERYONE seems to do/have done it.....

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:07 pm

What ever happened to transposing...

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:13 pm

What do you mean, John?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:28 pm

That is why I like a 5 string bass E flat or low D or low C are no problem ... and the strings still sing and resonate in their natural pitch ...

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:30 pm

Moving a song from one key to another, keeping the instrument in standard tuning. When the song was too high for our singer, we'd just drop it down a key or two.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:36 pm

Perzactly!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:37 pm

Prezactly!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:37 pm

Soitanly!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:53 pm

Absetively!!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:22 pm

The real difference here is in guitars though, John. Say a group you're in wants to play a song in Eb. The guitar player will naturally want to tune down, because Eb is a terrible key for guitarists. By tuning down, for example, they have the advantage of having the tonic chord being a big, lush open E chord, rather than the rather wimpy 6th position bar chord on the A string. The all important IV chord also becomes an open A chord, rather then a 4th position bar chord.

Transposing is easy for bass players because hitting those super-low notes simply isn't necessary. Lots of bass players play tunes in D, for example, with a normally tuned 4 string. I know I do. The 5th position D works just fine for my needs.