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Why tune down a half step?
Why tune down a half step?
I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
tuned down a half step.
Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
reason?
I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
tuned down a half step.
Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
reason?
Re: Why tune down a half step?
On 02 May 2008, Mitch@_._ wrote in alt.guitar.beginner:
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
and have a different feel.
On 02 May 2008, Mitch@_._ wrote in alt.guitar.beginner:
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
and have a different feel.
Re: Why tune down a half step?
On Fri, 02 May 2008 10:06:29 -0500, Nil
>
>The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
>and have a different feel.
Ah, I couldn't have possibly guessed that. Thanks!
On Fri, 02 May 2008 10:06:29 -0500, Nil
>
>The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
>and have a different feel.
Ah, I couldn't have possibly guessed that. Thanks!
Re: Why tune down a half step?
Yes, SRV routinely did this as he was using pretty heavy (.13s)
strings, so detuning 1/2 a step helped compensate for the heavier
strings.
Yes, SRV routinely did this as he was using pretty heavy (.13s)
strings, so detuning 1/2 a step helped compensate for the heavier
strings.
Re: Why tune down a half step?
"Nil" <rednoise+news@REMOVETHIScomcast . net > wrote in message
news:Xns9A9270FFECCE6nilch1@216.196.97.136...
> On 02 May 2008, Mitch@ . wrote in alt.guitar.beginner:
>
>> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
>> reason?
>
> The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
> and have a different feel.
What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
"Nil" <rednoise+news@REMOVETHIScomcast . net > wrote in message
news:Xns9A9270FFECCE6nilch1@216.196.97.136...
> On 02 May 2008, Mitch@ . wrote in alt.guitar.beginner:
>
>> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
>> reason?
>
> The strings are slacker when tuned down and so can be more easily bent
> and have a different feel.
What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
Re: Why tune down a half step?
On 02 May 2008, "Thomas" <forgetit@noway . com > wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:
> What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
Yes, but a half-step difference is probably not going to make all that
much difference unless you're singing right at the very edge of your
range.
Tuning down has also been a popular thing in the past decade or so,
supposedly to make heavy music even heavier. I think that starts to get
into the Spinal Tap area... "Well 11's one more, innit?"; "It's like,
how much more black could this be?"
On 02 May 2008, "Thomas" <forgetit@noway . com > wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:
> What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
Yes, but a half-step difference is probably not going to make all that
much difference unless you're singing right at the very edge of your
range.
Tuning down has also been a popular thing in the past decade or so,
supposedly to make heavy music even heavier. I think that starts to get
into the Spinal Tap area... "Well 11's one more, innit?"; "It's like,
how much more black could this be?"
Re: Why tune down a half step?
Nil wrote:
> On 02 May 2008, "Thomas" <forgetit@noway . com > wrote in
> alt.guitar.beginner:
>
>> What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
>
> Yes, but a half-step difference is probably not going to make all that
> much difference unless you're singing right at the very edge of your
> range.
>
> Tuning down has also been a popular thing in the past decade or so,
> supposedly to make heavy music even heavier. I think that starts to get
> into the Spinal Tap area... "Well 11's one more, innit?"; "It's like,
> how much more black could this be?"
You might be surprised - I can sing Voodoo Chile either in standard
tuning or 1/2 step down, but it's both much easier for me, and sounds
much better 1/2 step down.
--
- Rufus
Nil wrote:
> On 02 May 2008, "Thomas" <forgetit@noway . com > wrote in
> alt.guitar.beginner:
>
>> What about helping with singing, was that a factor?
>
> Yes, but a half-step difference is probably not going to make all that
> much difference unless you're singing right at the very edge of your
> range.
>
> Tuning down has also been a popular thing in the past decade or so,
> supposedly to make heavy music even heavier. I think that starts to get
> into the Spinal Tap area... "Well 11's one more, innit?"; "It's like,
> how much more black could this be?"
You might be surprised - I can sing Voodoo Chile either in standard
tuning or 1/2 step down, but it's both much easier for me, and sounds
much better 1/2 step down.
--
- Rufus
Re: Why tune down a half step?
On May 2, 9:34 am, Mitch@ . wrote:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
A lot of the newer pop music is tuned down.
It is a pain to play some songs in flat keys and some in normal keys.
I always work out the best keys for the singer and try to keep it
natural and not tuned down or up.
If I play one song tuned down I have to play them all tuned down.
Then there are players like Bonnie Raitt who are tuned up or down a
quarter tone.
Pt
On May 2, 9:34 am, Mitch@ . wrote:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
A lot of the newer pop music is tuned down.
It is a pain to play some songs in flat keys and some in normal keys.
I always work out the best keys for the singer and try to keep it
natural and not tuned down or up.
If I play one song tuned down I have to play them all tuned down.
Then there are players like Bonnie Raitt who are tuned up or down a
quarter tone.
Pt
Re: Why tune down a half step?
Mitch@_._ wrote:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
>
Many reasons. It SOUNDS different, because you have lower range. Much of Jimi
Hendrix is one step down. Much of the modern Nu-metal is a step or three down,
PLUS the low E is dropped a couple more steps for Mesa rectifier enhanced power
chords.
Slack for strings is one thing, but string gauge can also compensate. You could
put lighter strings on a normally tuned guitar. But many guys that dropped
tunings also use heavier gauge strings to compensate. It's often a hybrid set,
with the heavier wounds and more or less normal sized solid strings. The "Zakk
Wylde" set is a good example: .010 .013 .017 .036w .052 .060
Mitch@_._ wrote:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
>
Many reasons. It SOUNDS different, because you have lower range. Much of Jimi
Hendrix is one step down. Much of the modern Nu-metal is a step or three down,
PLUS the low E is dropped a couple more steps for Mesa rectifier enhanced power
chords.
Slack for strings is one thing, but string gauge can also compensate. You could
put lighter strings on a normally tuned guitar. But many guys that dropped
tunings also use heavier gauge strings to compensate. It's often a hybrid set,
with the heavier wounds and more or less normal sized solid strings. The "Zakk
Wylde" set is a good example: .010 .013 .017 .036w .052 .060
Re: Why tune down a half step?
in <pg9m14pg56096b3p2loef0or9gql2req3o@4ax . com >,
Mitch@_._ <Mitch@_._> said:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
it sure is easier to jam along with jazz-ish (ie brass/reeds) which are in flat keys
in <pg9m14pg56096b3p2loef0or9gql2req3o@4ax . com >,
Mitch@_._ <Mitch@_._> said:
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
it sure is easier to jam along with jazz-ish (ie brass/reeds) which are in flat keys
Re: Why tune down a half step?
<Mitch@_._> wrote in message
news:pg9m14pg56096b3p2loef0or9gql2req3o@4ax . com ...
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep. If you play with heavier
gauge strings, tuning down will help playability. But the latter is not
the main reason though some will claim it is.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The 7 Note Full Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
<Mitch@_._> wrote in message
news:pg9m14pg56096b3p2loef0or9gql2req3o@4ax . com ...
> I've come across a couple songs recently where all the strings are
> tuned down a half step.
>
> Is this just due to the singer's vocal range, or is there some other
> reason?
Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep. If you play with heavier
gauge strings, tuning down will help playability. But the latter is not
the main reason though some will claim it is.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The 7 Note Full Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
Re: Why tune down a half step?
>
>Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
help you.
>
>Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
help you.
Re: Why tune down a half step?
<Mitch@_._> wrote in message
news:eabq14psbgm62de8as0uo5g197ekjsff88@4ax . com ...
>
>>
>>Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
>
> As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
> is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
>
> Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
> help you.
Since you were a former singer, you must know it depends on your
range. If all you can do is an F# but the song requires a G there is a
problem. Tuning down will help.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The Pentatonic Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
<Mitch@_._> wrote in message
news:eabq14psbgm62de8as0uo5g197ekjsff88@4ax . com ...
>
>>
>>Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
>
> As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
> is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
>
> Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
> help you.
Since you were a former singer, you must know it depends on your
range. If all you can do is an F# but the song requires a G there is a
problem. Tuning down will help.
--
gcisko@hotmail . com
The Pentatonic Scale Explained
* bluechainlightning . net
Re: Why tune down a half step?
Mitch@_._ wrote:
>> Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
>
> As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
> is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
>
> Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
> help you.
For me, there are a number of songs for which tuning down a half step
can mean the difference between straining to reach the high notes (and
my voice cracking or being worn out by the end) and having no trouble
singing it.
Mitch@_._ wrote:
>> Pretty much the vocal range of the singer. Yep.
>
> As a former bar-band singer myself, I just can't imagine a half-step
> is worth it on anything but thie most demanding songs.
>
> Roxanne, maybe. But even then, I don't think a half step is going to
> help you.
For me, there are a number of songs for which tuning down a half step
can mean the difference between straining to reach the high notes (and
my voice cracking or being worn out by the end) and having no trouble
singing it.
Re: Why tune down a half step?
[to accomodate vocals?]
Tuning the instrument up or down has nothing
to do with the vocal range of the song. Unless
the player only knows how to play in the
original keys.
Imagine a symphony orchestra or a grand piano
needing to be retuned because the player(s)
couldn't play in keys other than the orig.
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
[to accomodate vocals?]
Tuning the instrument up or down has nothing
to do with the vocal range of the song. Unless
the player only knows how to play in the
original keys.
Imagine a symphony orchestra or a grand piano
needing to be retuned because the player(s)
couldn't play in keys other than the orig.
Lumpy
In Your Ears for 40 Years
w w w .LumpyMusic . com
