Topic: TUNING TO FLATS (Read 5647 times)

Willie L. Terry Jr · « **on:** July 25, 2006, 12:00:57 AM »

Man...I hear a lot of advantages of tuning to flats. Some call it gospel standard tuning. Seems all the big name guys do it but I'm afraid it will affect not my playing but my ability to communicate with other musicians in my band. How about how it affects sight reading?

Anybody made this transition? How did it work for you?

T.J.

carlmack7183 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2006, 07:51:33 AM »

Its funny you said that b/c I was just talking to my bass instructor about that yesterday. He wants to tune to flats but I dont dont know what the advantages are?? can someone explain how do you have and advatage by doing this??? Thanks

ddwilkins · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2006, 08:18:37 AM »

I tune in flats. I like it because the string tension isn't as tight and to me slapping and popping is a little more crisp. I've tuned down a whole step before but that I didn't quite like it maybe because I didn't give it much time. As stated, a lot of people tune down. Gouche tunes a whole step down (if I'm not mistaken), Maurice Fitzgerald tunes a whole step down. I can't think of any more who does. But, tuning down shouldn't hender you from communicating with the band. Just remember that each note on the fretboard is moved up one fret, that's all. Give it a try for a while and see how it feels. Also, if you are the type that doesn't like for other people to play your bass(I definately don't), this will help keep those folks away.

carlmack7183 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2006, 08:38:04 AM »

Yeah Tommy Brown tunes down too. He was playing this lick on gospel chops and I was trying to look at his hands, and thats probably why my fingerings were different. I might try it, b/c like you said I hate people trying to play on my bass (other than my cousin, and now LGM fam member DRaymond)

Willie L. Terry Jr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:01:56 AM »

I might take one of my basses and tune down just to try it.

T

ddwilkins · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2006, 09:50:21 AM »

Quote from: carlmack7183 on July 25, 2006, 08:38:04 AM

Yeah Tommy Brown tunes down too. He was playing this lick on gospel chops and I was trying to look at his hands, and thats probably why my fingerings were different. I might try it, b/c like you said I hate people trying to play on my bass (other than my cousin, and now LGM fam member DRaymond)

I forgot about Tommy.

BassAddict · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2006, 10:06:26 AM »

I tuned down to flats about 6 months ago when I first saw Tommy's video and I never changed it. Like dd said it releases a little tension on the string so the strings arent so hard and it is easier to bend notes, that's why I like it. It took me a couple of days to get used to it but once you get it, it will be second nature just like everything else.

DWBass · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2006, 10:56:06 AM »

I've seen it and heard it done. I, myself, will not tune down. I don't see a need for it unless you're trying to go lower than your low B. Just my opinion. I like my string tension just fine and I can bend notes just fine.

jeremyr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:01:00 AM »

I personally think that if you want to bend your notes easier try a lighter guage string first. I personally don't tune down a half step because I don't need anything lower then the B as of now...lol

Cherri · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:55:19 AM »

Strving to get slapping down and would like more of a crisp sound. I'll give it a try, never hurts to experiment. Thanks guys...

DWBass · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2006, 12:09:38 PM »

Quote from: jeremyr on July 25, 2006, 11:01:00 AM

I personally think that if you want to bend your notes easier try a lighter guage string first. I personally don't tune down a half step because I don't need anything lower then the B as of now...lol

That's exactly what I do. I normally use light to medium-light gauge strings.

jeremyr · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2006, 12:54:58 PM »

Quote from: DWBass on July 25, 2006, 12:09:38 PM

That's exactly what I do. I normally use light to medium-light gauge strings.

same guage I use

Willie L. Terry Jr · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2006, 04:42:19 PM »

You know I tried it last night and that was the only true advantage was the bending. I'm going back to standard tuning today! I could already bend my strings. You know how it is though. You look for every advantage you can get.

When I asked Justin Raines to weigh in on the subject he admitted that a lot of gospel artist did it but he didn't because there are no real advantages except for getting lower.

With that said, when gospel music starts playing lower that B. I'll tune to flats!

Thanks folks
T.J.

Mopreme75 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2006, 06:02:20 PM »

how exactly do u tune to flats because i would love to get that Eflat on my 4 string

thomas1168 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2006, 07:00:12 PM »

THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS TUNE YOUR E STRING TO A D AND LEAVE THE OTHERS IN STANDARD TUNING
D A D G
THIS IS VERY GOOS IN CHURCH BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE YOUR LOW D AND Eb
YOU OCTAVES WILL BE a b7 PLAYING A MAJOR SCALE

BassAddict · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2006, 07:17:55 PM »

Oh yeah I just got reminded that the other reason that I did it was that it allows me to do an open slap in Eb on the 4th String.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2006, 07:52:36 PM »

Quote from: Mopreme75 on July 25, 2006, 06:02:20 PM

how exactly do u tune to flats because i would love to get that Eflat on my 4 string

Instead of tuning EADG tune Eb Ab Db Gb. All your notes on your fret board will be moved up one fret.

bradleymoorer · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2006, 10:24:16 PM »

Quote from: Willie L. Terry Jr on July 25, 2006, 04:42:19 PM

You know I tried it last night and that was the only true advantage was the bending. I'm going back to standard tuning today! I could already bend my strings. You know how it is though. You look for every advantage you can get.

When I asked Justin Raines to weigh in on the subject he admitted that a lot of gospel artist did it but he didn't because there are no real advantages except for getting lower.

With that said, when gospel music starts playing lower that B. I'll tune to flats!

Thanks folks
T.J.

I don't know brah, but to each his own but there are songs in Bb (Because of who you are, Oh give Thanks) I am sure there are more but if you guys have ever watched Fred Hammonds speak those things he hits a couple of open Bb that are right on point! Peace!

Willie L. Terry Jr · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2006, 11:49:51 PM »

I think what I will do seriously is take one of my axes and key it tune on whole step flat. Which one will hold the note better. Right now I think that's my 1206 because it MTD strings on it and the B strings is gauged at like 135. ...or not.

Bradley just brought up a good point though... If you're playing a sond in Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb or B which would be all six string in my case and if I tuned flat. What you would be able to do is play any of these notes open without fear of hitting a void note. Same as you would with standard tunings. You can hit open strings while soloing or playing in any of thoses keys.

Haven't tested this theory yet but it's just a thought...

T.J.

B3Wannabe · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2006, 06:30:57 AM »

No need to tune down, when you have an extra F# string. My low 3 strings are heavy, and my other 5 are light. It keeps the bass tight and the mids and highs crisp, but loose enough that the stainless-steels don't slice your fingers. These came as a set, from Conklin, but the low F# string was an extra 26dollars, bringing my set up to over 90 dollars, with shipping.

Author Topic: TUNING TO FLATS (Read 5647 times)