Why I Always Tune a Half Step Down
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- Опубликовано: 22 окт 2022
- Today, I wanted to talk to you a little about Eb standard tuning, its importance in rock and metal music, and why you should give it a try.
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![Finesse2Tymes - Pretty Ricky [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xIoP_mhYRT0/mqdefault.jpg)
Me with a licenced floyd rose who refuses to tune to anything else: *Hmm.... interesting.*
It's a good excuse to get more guitars. One for each tuning you wanna use. :D
@@molekyyli …..agreed
And this is why I own 20 guitars and 7 basses… it’s a slippery slope
@@molekyyli Sadly I am from India and I can barely afford a pickup xD
@@dagkarlsson7182 It certainly is. I have only 5 (and one is a travel guitar) but I'm learning to make them, so it's only gonna get worse. 🤣
Drop C (as well as variations it) are not only my favourite tunings, but C natural minor is my favourite key. It perfectly strikes that balance between heaviness and melodicism, while songs in C natural minor sound so melancholy and have this vibe of longing about them. I think that probably explains why I like late 1990s and early 2000s metalcore so much lol
i agree, also i really liked that one time avenged sevenfold intentionally made a song in C minor without leaving their drop-D tuning, made the guitar part sound nice and open instead of chugging away at a low open string so much
Drop C on acoustic sounds like depression and I fucking love it.
@@michaelw6277 I've always considered drop C (and C natural minor) to be a dark but hopeful tuning/key, like a light at the end of the tunnel kind of vibe.
I’m on the same boat, tuning to c is my favorite
This is how I feel about Bb minor, actually. There’s something that just hits different about it.
Another interesting thing about Eb tuning is if you play something bluesy in Eb with a keyboard player, the pentatonic scale in Eb is all the black keys. Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Db, Eb.
Yes I found this out being a metal guitar player moving into fusion jazz piano
Good point👍🏿
I’m the keyboard guy lol
I feel especially the same with D Standard tuning. It's in my opinion the optimal tuning because you still retain the bright sound of the high strings while getting huge sounding power chords on the lower strings. I play with 10-46 strings on a 24,625 inch scale length B.C. Rich stealth and the tension is really ok. In fact everything tighter feels super weird to me nowadays. But it makes huge bends way easier.
D standard is my favorite
I play in D standard on 9-42’s! Fantastic for bends and I don’t really beat on my guitar that much so I can get away with most heavy stuff too
Same d standard is my favorite, even my 7 is in drop g so the top six can be in d standard too
@@onionheadguy7094 hellyeah. Mine 7 string is in drop G too.
Agreed
Eb standard for the win, but I've been tuned to E standard lately to make things a little less confusing while I finally get around to learning some theory after 20 years of noodling aimlessly
That's a big factor for me too, I kind of have a "learning" guitar which is in E, then I take what I've learned and play it on a guitar in Eb...
E standard for practice Eb for rehearsals and Gigs.
Eb standard sounds BEAUTIFUL on acoustic guitar
For my 6 strings, my favorite tuning to Black Sabbath tuning, C# Standard. It’s the perfect amount of darkness in the sound without any mud, and it retains all the clarity of E Standard. C# Standard also just personally caresses my ears in a way no other tuning can. Black Sabbath nailed it when they tuned to C# Standard.
Love C# standard
Master of reality is the high water mark of c# for sure.. children of the grave, and into the void? Timeless examples, and absolutely untouchable in heaviness, especially at the time they made it..
I've been trying C# Standard with a set of .010 to .052 and it sounds and feels great. The problem for me is transposing my keyboard playing down to match, which is really hard (all the new sharps/flats I have to re-figure out).
@@davelanciani-dimaensionx correct me if I'm wrong, because I don't play piano or keyboard, but don't they basically start in C? Why not just tune your guitar down another half step, and do it that way? Then you don't have to worry about anything really, it should be easier to transpose music between the 2.. again, I don't know about keyboards at all, so I could have just said the dumbest thing ever lol
@@davelanciani-dimaensionx At least relearning the keyboard will help you be a better musician in general, so I’d say that’s an overall positive
Yeah, Eb all the way! My favorite tuning as well. There's something special about it. Personally, I find it more melodic and emotional than standard (or any other tuning), as well as having that extra edge on standard. It's the reason why I started doing the downtuned songs videos, just so I could play along with my favorite records.
P.S.: I don't if you have actually watched any of my videos, but if so I'm happy that you enjoy them.
Thanks man. You're a life saver. I feel exactly like you do about Eb and have jammed to all the songs you've posted on your channel.
I like it because it makes strings easier to bend ( less tension) and easier to sing to. That and every song you play sounds just a tad bit heavier/darker than standard! If Slash and Hendrix and EVH think it's cool then it's gotta be good 😆
I record my songs in E standard and always perform them in Eb live. Not only easier to sing, but gives my songs a slight different flavor live especially cause it’s in acoustic mode.
Let's not forget a legendary Eb standard band that then smoothly transitioned into Bb and inspired the whole new genre - Nevermore
I think you're viewing Eb as better just purely based on comparisons to E, if that makes sense (ofc you have to compare two things to say one of them is better, but in this case it seems to me that you like Eb in already existing songs which were recorded in E). Downtuning a song and comparing it to the original one RIGHT after listening to the E version will always sound heavier, it's a downward modulation. If you listen to two versions of a totally new song to you, with time inbetween, I think it would be much harder for you to tell which one is tuned to what. Also you mentioned you don't like D std cause it sounds like sludge. It could be, but thats what happens when you downtune something after it was recorded :) an E note sounds different when digitally downtuned to D vs when played on the second fret, guitar tuned to D standard. Yngwie has some drop D songs, but for long time, before attempting to play them I never had a clue. The same happens with Hold On, which until I played it, I never knew it was in E standard (I love Hold On and Alcatrazz songs). As a matter of fact, I have no idea what song is tuned to E from Eclipse :) thats cause I never rlly learnt songs from the album. But I feel that Eclipse is way heavier than Rising Force, due to its production. Personally I think downtuning slightly only accomodates vocals and helps the guitarist have some slack in the strings and bend higher (think Yngwie bending to F# on the high E string 💀) or it can make a song heavier on an album when listened to in context. I'm curious what you think about this point of view. Cheers and congrats for the channel growth!
PS. awesome tone!
I think it's hard to say that D standart is sludge
Everyone knows of Metallica's songs in these tunings, and it's very clear sounding when we talk about Dream No More, Thing That Should Not Be, Sad But True
I agree. Different result from recording in E standard then tuning down vs recording in Eb standard.
You think nothing of Hendrix? He made up chords. He had his own style, could write hit songs, could take someone else's hit song and make it a bigger hit. He was innovative in his music, controlled feedback and other effects. He is one of the most influential guitarists in history. Punk
I didn't say that. When did I say I think nothing of him. All I said was he's a bit overrated
@@sixstringtv1 some people cant handle anything being said about something they like. I personally love jimmy Hendrix but also know if he was around today he would just be another guitar player. He is his own thing back in his time. But today nothing he played is that impressive. But im still grateful we had him when we did.
That’s one of the main tunings we use along with C standard. Eb standard is awesome. I call it the Slayer tuning but everyone else that uses it rips too. Nice job soloing 🤘🏻
I started using it because of Slayer too 😆
@@sixstringtv1 hahaha I mean it makes sense
When I see or hear Eb I instantly think slayer
Slayer and Hendrix are why I use it most often
@@The_Masked_1der guns n rroses, nirvana, van halen too
I was in a band for six years that tuned to D mostly for the comfort of the lead singer. The sound was always rich and powerful.
I think you're right; I now have my Les tuned in D#, but also drop D so a Drop C#. It turns the guitar into a songwriting tool for metal. I like it, because you can transpose all your chords and knowledge, and you can come up with some wild things.
Eb flat is the best tuning for bending. Love it. Love Malmsteen. You got skills my guy
Thanks! 😁😎
"Eb flat". So D standard then? 😝
Its all down to finger strength, tuning and string gauge. E standard with regular gauge strings has similar string tension to drop A with 65-13's. Lots of players use custom gauges to suit their feel.
It's purely psychological, lol. I prefer a whole step down, but the last 2 bands I've been in tuned 1/2 step down, and I still love it. The biggest difference I've noticed is when using dropped tunings. It definitely sounds thicker at C# than D.
First of all, great playing man! And great choice of background. :D I love southern Germany's nature, gotta drive there sometime again (being from northern Germany)
My main tuning is drop D, because I love the chord voicings one can do, combining chords with melodies.
The VIBE aspect of tuning down still remains true for me as well. Drop C# and Drop C brought some of my favorite original songs to life and always inspire me. Although I'm still a fan of the snappy drop D tuning (due to playing 10-52 elixir strings). It's pretty much a song to song choice for me, which tuning to choose. (Although the higher notes of my vocal melody for a song also impact that choice... :D)
I kept switching between C and C# standard for a while, then tried something in the middle (C# with 430hz reference instead of 440) and it felt and sounded magical. In the end I got slightly heavier strings and went with C since a lot of oldschool death metal I like is in C
As a guitarist myself, I understand the curiosity of constantly tuning down and trying things until you find a sound you like and are comfortable with the instrument. But as a professional musician, adapting to E standard is almost mandatory since you are not the only musician in the group and normally the rest are not obliged to adapt to how the guitarist tunes.
Who doesn’t know how to play in e standard?
Sorry but this weird reality you’ve created makes no sense,
The more professional the player the more adaptable,
If the rest of the band isn’t professional enough to play with the guitarist and his tuning,
A professional guitarist can still play with the band,
In his selected tuning.
Better yet the best tuning for the song,
Regardless of their preference or the bands.
@@jeremytee2919 anyone under 30 who plays any genre of music that isn't predicted on billboard hits
@@allighast9714 guitarist who don’t know how to play in e are rare,
Your premise is incredibly ridiculous.
Also as I stated a “pro”would be able to keep with a band regardless of tuning.
Furthermore,
the premise that tuning a half a step down while maintaining standard intervals would interfere with your ability to play in standard is absurd ,
If you can’t transpose up a half step, not only are you not a pro,
You require entry level tutoring.
Mate if you know how to play in e you know how to play in eb, as a jazz guitarist who played with other bands, most of the tunes are in the area of F,Eb,Bb,Ab etc… and i always used the e standard, now looking at it it really isn’t the problem
You're an excellent guitarist and I love your commentary. Great videos!
Thanks! 😎😎
@@sixstringtv1 Your channel is definitely my favorite guitar-oriented one to date! I enjoy the humor and wit. Great stuff!
That comparison riff at the end gave me some serious Def Leppard vibes!
You've convinced me to give Eb a try, listening to David Maxim Micic helped a little too.
Man! I love Warbringer too. They are such an awesome live band, and really kind guys. Just saw them one week ago.
I'd love to see them live
I got to see warbringer open up for nevermore at a very small venue in 2010 I believe. I'd never heard of them before, they were having problems with their gear but they still impressed me, it brought me back to early thrash metal. And I wouldn't trade the world for seeing one of nevermore's last shows.
Man, it was so cool and refreshing to hear metal on a strat with single coils again. It's actually pretty cool!
Great video. Good edits and transitions. Good job. Quality video.
I think there's something to just being a bit different. Feels fresh. Vektor plays a half step UP and it's incredible.
My cover band has tuned down half step for 25 years for reasons you already mentioned; easier to hit those higher notes while singing (I'm the singer too), but also a LOT less broken strings. Easier to bend notes and better play-feel overall.
Tearing it up man 👏 Im interested in this tuning now.
Half step up is something else completely, whole new world, it completely shifts any expectation you used to have about certain shapes on the neck that you got accustomed with.I really, REALLY recommend.
I always say that if you have a strat you basically have two guitars. A strat in Eb is such a different experience. I believe that it's down to the scale length.
Eb takes some of that aggressive twang away. Much nicer experience
I usually play in D standard, but by the same logic, I have been finding myself favoring Db. This comes from tuning the guitar to itself after I use it, so I now also appreciate my music a half step down from my original intended tuning 🤘
Love the flowing hair! The fan is an essential special effect for RUclips metal videos.
Subbed. You may admit to not knowing music theory that well (neither do I) but you definitely know good music, When you brought up the drop tune part, I thought to myself "Finally. Finally someone who gets it." Awesome.
🙏🙏🙏
That IS a beautiful backdrop sir, also the string tension to scale length thing is huge here...Your guitar can feel like an entirely different instrument tuned down. And if tuning down makes your strings feel too sloppy, you get to try fatter strings, which may allow for lower action which will also change the feel of the instrument.... OPTIONS BREH..
C# standard is my favourite. 54-10's not too low but low enough for heavy rhythm.
Nah nah nah
48-10 works best for c# standard
Kaylen you're not weird you're eccentric! Filming in the open field is a nice touch and as much appreciated. Oh string gauge (52-10) Ernie Ball is my favorite string set.
I totally agree. I am dedicating my go-to guitars to Eb. I recorded a solo album quite a few years back with Derek Taylor (former Shrapnel records shredder, current producer/owner of Milostudio) recording and engineering this out of his bedroom. After recording the first song he convinced me to use his guitars. I didn't mind as he was endorsed by Ibanez. He tuned a half step down from 440E and it did darken the tone! I don't play thrash or hardcore really. It's more of a darker heavy alternative rock (Think modern version of AIC "Dirt") but this tuning works with my weirdness and my lower singing voice. I'm now writing for a new solo project and this video knocked me off the fence on standard 440E and Eb. Thanks!
As a fellow shredder, and a classically trained cellist and composer, I can say that there is definitely some music theory behind this!
Every key has certain “emotion” or “feel” associated with it - how our ears hear the frequencies. There are many studies by composers about this, but Eb (and its subsequent key signatures) would definitely have a darker and different tone than those of E standard (mostly natural and sharp keys).
Eb minor is an especially dark key - just to note that. E minor, not so much as it is related to G major (whereas Eb minor is related to Gb/F# major).
Super interesting stuff! I personally like standard tuning on my guitars, but you’re definitely not wrong with what you are feeling/hearing!
@@davidpearson6346 I think it sounds great for certain things like Bach and some Beethoven symphonies, but I still prefer 440!
Eb is just my E standard. I grew up on Pyromania by Def Leppard, Alive! by Kiss and Appetite For Destruction by GN'R. All 3 primarily use Eb tuning
Pyromania is all standard tho isn't it? Except Photograph which is basically a flatter E standard
Thats also why I've always tuned to Eb, Guns used it, Poison used it, and those were the songs I learned to play first and it just stuck.
@@barclaybass2327 The first three songs I ever learned were Welcome to the Jungle, Deuce and Love Gun. All in Eb
Van halen for me
Leppard is E standard
First time on your channel. I like your voice/speech as much as your content. Great dissertation here.
😎😎
Thanks for the tips! I'll surely give it a try!
Laid to rest in drop C# with the single coils had a really good growl to it.
😎😎
What I find pretty impressive is that bands like Vektor tune UP to F standard and still sound good af
Must be snappy
Why wouldn't they? The tuning has nothing to do with the composition, you can transpose anything to F and if it's good it will still be good.
thank you. Im in a 3 piece hard blues grunge rock band and my bass player looked at me crazy when I told him we play in Eb. you're preaching to the choir my man and I love to hear it. I also play a strat in standard with 10s in my other bands, but in this band I used 11s which felt equal. but my man at the guitar shop turned me on to ernie ball 10.5s which was a game changer. with the shortened scale and the downtune its perfect.
Great video as always.
ive got one guitar in e and one in eb for jamming along with them thin lizzy tunes. never thought about which one sounded better to my ears. very interesting video.
I'm a bass player primarily (started on guitar, though) and your talking about the way it just felt better when you switched everything to Eb makes me think of how everything just felt better on a bass when I switched primarily to fretless and using my fingers instead of a pick 99% of the time. I was suddenly connecting with an instrument instead of trying to make this thing I was holding make the sounds I wanted it to. Granted, from what I see here, we are on opposite ends of the metal speed range most of the time. (I mainly write doom and sludge in metal, though admittedly, I am doing more electronic music now) but I get that "oh this works so much better" feeling. (FWIW, my original main band, now on "indefinite hiatus" tuned a bit lower we had two guitars and two basses, with the rhythm in D standard and the lead in drop C, with one bass in D standard, and one in drop C)
Our band tunes Eflat and as the guitarist and singer, I love it. Songs do sound a touch more full when flat, to my ear anyway, and yes. Definitely easier on the vocal cords! 🤘
Great Vid. Really like your guitar playing. I should try E flat tuning .
This is exactly why I like half step down. It's not far off from standard, but it just sounds so much heavier, even though it's a slightly lowering tuning, it gives it that heaviness, clean or distorted. Standard E sounds good and cool too, but half step down to Eb just has that heavier tone that sounds sick!
Nice jamming brotha 💪
I always use .10's and E flat tuning, also. I'm a new sub. You got what it takes to move on to bigger things.
I’m a singer too and Eb/drop C# really takes the edge off some of my melodies. I do love the sound of Eb of course
Yep I always have my guitars a half step down with a drop D, it just feels better! Thanks for the video 🤙
Lots of my favorite guitarists use Eb tuning, I find it interesting to use especially when I noticed all the open strings are the black notes on a piano
i was just thinking about this on my walk home and i got this video on my recommendations
My first guitar was an old Jackson with a Floyd. Before I knew how to setup a Floyd I left it in Eb all the time. During the late 90s most of my favorite bands were using Eb so it worked out fine.
They probably did a circle around you because they didn't want to mess up your shot. Great video bro
When we're talking higher tunings, I feel the same way you do here about D standard. It opens up the quick option to tune to Drop C, which is my favorite non-baritone tuning. I spend a lot of time (see: most of my time haha) on my seven or eight strings, but there's something really nice and appealing about the chunk/thump you get with a guitar that's tuned to D or C in my opinion that, despite how much I love them, you don't get with tunings lower than C. Plus, it's waaaaaaaaaaay easier to mix guitars tuned C or higher...
i play E standard, because i think more in terms of music key, but i just generally like when bands play anywhere close to E standard, including Eb. my favourite melodic death metal band (next to CoB) is KALMAH, and the Eb tuning really gives the riffs they play alot of clarity, instead of a low-tuned sludge like most metal. its kinda like the musical equivalent of an artwork with alot of detail, but very clearly defined shapes and outlines, rather than "what the heck am i looking at ill just squint my eyes and look close and i think i see a cat in there"
about strings, i use 9-46 strings, called "custom light" or something, so only the lower strings would be less loose than normal 9-42. have you already tried string gagues like those? 10-52 exists too
: o thanks for making this vid six! I usually tune to D# (D sinister).
I'm only tuning to E lately because I'm going to open jams and they all tune to E for the most part.
-oh and,... SLAYER!!!
Only started tuning to Eb because I always loved slayer
Feel like im gonna get crucified here but after getting back into my guitar and practicing I've bought a 7 string Jackson for drop A and B tuning haha 😆 Also good background Germany has amazing places been to plenty since Germany is right around the corner! Great video man!
my favorite tuning has to be d standard and drop c, especially when played on my fender telecaster. something about the chimmy highs of the high strings and the power of the low strings is enchanting. plus on the single coil pickups of the tele, a whole nother level of brightness is added and creates a beautiful sound
That Warbringer song could felt like both parts tunings could easily fit in the same song. Starting on Eb and then transposing to E for dramatic effect for the last chorus and finale. Great playing and overall great channel, keep it up :)
As a vocalist who at one point had a very limited range I never understood the tune a half step down for vocal ranges, if I can’t hit a note, im probably not gonna be able to hit the one only a half step below either
As a country guy, my favorite artist played for years in Eb in the 90s, also my favorite album is in Eb.
Personally, I play in E standard and its way easier to play socially since that's the standard tuning.
I think it's a matter of the music is a little heavier. But continually dropping tuning is what gives us djent.
Maybe the CGDAEB is a better alternative since it gives you a wider range than most guitar tunings, also playing in 5ths!
Yo, real cool vid, I can only agree with you about all the riffs and licks you showed us.
My beloved tuning, and yes I'm a weird person that uses Sharps XD
I dunno why but for some reason, I always fell in love with many diverse bands, different genres even
And many of my favorite bands from rock to metal use Eb Standard, I just loved them from the beginning even without realizing (mostly got hooked to them cuz there's something very melancholic and dark in their sound and many of them used Eb Stand)
I'm even a huge fan of other Flat tunings Db, Drop Bb etc..
Flat tunings rule but E flat is the best out there imo!
Been doing this for 15 years now....best of both worlds
I wanted to add: that’s is a gorgeous area you’re filming in.
Isn't it 😍😍
I think the thing with this tuning is that we were really influenced by the grunge movement for many years, so were many metal bands. Especially by Alice In Chains. And for that reason our ears are prone to just vibe with the more heavy music
I don't even have an electric yet and retuning the acoustic to Eb was amazing
There truly is something about Eb tuning that still has a snap but darker. I love Meshugga style guitar and at the same time Drop-D is also so good and punchy. 58-10 from Ernie ball is perfect for me in Eb
Your picking speed is not terrible. Oh, and I recently picked up Eb tuning and love it.
😎
🤣😛 Your picking speed is not terrible
One hal leonard book i had said" tune the 6th string up till it quits ratteling" to further reinforce your point go in a pawnshop and look at the acoustics. See the one with the big bow in the neck with the bridge pullin forward? Notice its got big thick ship towin cables on it?
One of my favorite bands, Rishloo, uses Eb standard/ Drop C#, and their music has a sort of sound that I’m not sure I’ve heard anywhere else.
Another dude that is majorly underrated that liked using Eb is Chris Impellitteri! I usually prefer E standard, but I have a PRS that I seem to always have in Eb ready for whenever the moment strikes!
Love the guitar tone at 1:50 also sick fender guitar. The only guitar I have tuned in E standard is my 8 string😂. All others are in Eb, D standard or lower
That complete change in sound is something I've been preaching for a hot minute. I often play some BFMV songs a half step up because it just sounds more appropriate to the message sometimes, or because imo it makes it heavier
I have a collection of guitars that are locked to certain tunings and they are E, Eb, and D....of course you can do the dropped tunings as well. Also a 7 string in standard B. Anything else i use the detuner in my axe fx to handle. The standard tuned guitars are probably the ones i touch the least. D standard/drop c is what i consider my "main".
I liked seeing a different genre perspective of e flat tuning. I am big into punk and grunge, especially Nirvana, and their whole last album was tuned a whole step down and it sounded great, but every time that I tuned a half step down, it sounded like I was constantly out of tune, even if my tuner said the tuning is perfect. I am starting to experiment more with e flat tuning, and I will usually keep one of my guitars a half step down. It must just be something with my ears or maybe just not playing in that tuning a lot, but I am starting to warm up to it more.
you need to intonate the guitar to your new tuning.
Electric tuners have the ability to be calibrated by a certain percentage of a semitone.
This can be useful if your strings are a little too heavy to bend in E but you don't want to go all the way to E flat.
I find there's a balancing act between having the high strings loose enough to bend the way I want and having the low strings tight enough to prevent any sloppiness in rhythm parts
Stringjoy custom sets are the way to fine tune this.
I generally use D'Addario EJ21 strings, and tune to D standard, dropped C, Db standard, or dropped B, sometimes I even go as low as B standard or dropped A. Partly because it makes it easy to change tunings on most non-baritone scale length necks and not have to adjust the bridge intonation, or only need to make small changes, because the combination of lower tuning and thicker strings offset. It's also partly because the lower tunings just sound better to me. I prefer british voiced amps (Friedman, Orange, Marshall), and generally prefer a brighter, more mid-forward tone, so this also balances well with this tuning setup and the thicker, lower tuned strings, which tend to impart a darker tone.
I write my songs in e flat. I always have. But nowadays I have my guitars tuned in regular 440 but I use a digitech drop pedal so when I play 4 sets of covers and 6 originals I can go back and forth between regular and flat tuning. What's your opinion on that,lol. BTW I use 9.5 gauge strings.
Ah, yes, The Lord's tuning. I only discovered Eb standard in about mid-2022. Originally I only intended to tune one guitar to it, but now all but one of them is switched over (the other I put on chunky strings and tuned it as a baritone). It's really such a small change, but everything sounds better.
I tried the Eb standard to my Squier Jazzmaster Vintage Modified with a string gauge of 11-50 flat wounds and I love it! It inspire me to play differently. I also tried tuning it in E standard but it's too damn tight. It's like choking my guitar's neck tightly.
I remember really liking replica by sonata arctica and trying to learn it. It took me all the way to the second verse to realise I needed to tune to Eb standard. It really does sound fresh and different.
This is why I need multiple guitars, I love alternate tunings but I can’t be bothered to retune every time I want to try something different… especially when a tremolo is involved.
I feel like this simple issue is holding me back as a guitar player. There are so many drop C songs I want to learn but it would mess up my tremolo because it's an EBMM JP model that doesn't have a floyd rose. Plus the intonation problems. Wish I had bought 3 cheaper guitars instead of that one lol.
I also tried Eb standard to some of my guitars with size 9 strings. But the guitar doesn't agree with it. There were fret buzz issues, string height issues, etc.
I also tried it on my guitars with size 10s. Again, same problem. Buzzing and this time, intonation issues.
So I guess, I will only go for Eb standard tuning if I have 11s above. Yes?
I just recently started using eb standard & drop c# after 9 years of playing, I had to use 11-56 for the guitar to have perfect intonation and tuning.
Hey there nice and cool guy! tone is much better on this one. playing rocks too!
For many years I tuned to E Flat but for the last year or two I prefer D standard. It's just hard to figure out what strings suit me best for this
I can understand your feeling, I managed to achieve similar vibe with thinner gauge, but you prefer 10's feeling on fingers, so I got you, it's not much about added one lower tone, lower tension makes you really feel that Umph, when strings get muted
I've been tuning my guitars to Eb standard since like 1982 so I obviously agree with you lol. However I've recently started to gravitate more towards D standard. In part because my vocal range isn't what it used to be and also let's face it, high pitched vocals aren't really popular in the metal genre anymore anyway and can sound quite dated.
I've also become increasingly interested in adding other instruments to my music besides just guitar. Including acoustic piano and even full on orchestration. Granted you can transpose the tuning of a midi keyboard to match the flat tuning of your guitar but to me it makes more sense to tune your guitar to something more compatible with the natural tuning of these other instruments.
I don't see myself ever going any lower than this other than maybe the occasional drop C for certain riffs. however as you alluded to I'm not really into the sound of these ultra low tunings we here in a lot of modern metal music. At some point it just doesn't really sound like a guitar anymore to me. I think the standard is a nice middle ground where you get the extra growl that a lower tuning gives you but the high strings still have a nice chime to them. However in the end you obviously want to do whatever serves the song best. Great topic for a video. 👍
In most of the examples I actually enjoyed E Standard the best. Maybe that’s just my “vibe” lol. Great vid!
Totally agree. A lot of the stuff Yngwie did with Alcatrazz I play in Eb.
Same. I always transpose it before jamming along
Im looking to buy some of your bands albums or maybe some of your solo stuff.. Where can I find it?
Steve Sladowskis work is almost always e flat or the same with a drop d style tuning (c#).
I use a Tele and skinny top heavy bottom strings, really gives me this heavy yet still jangly tone I love
I use Eb on my bass occasionally because it has a little bit of extra edge, and it’s great for music with fantastical themes like Black Sabbath used on their Dio era albums.
Lifelong guitar beginner my two favorite tunings are Eb for pretty much every reason you gave and C Standard because that's what Warning used on Watching From a Distance
I like D# Standard/Eb because it's versatile and you can always drop tune the low string to C# and have drop C# to spice up your song writing variety
Most of Van Halen's early recordings featured the guitar tuned down to Eb. About half of the album "Fair Warning" used dropped Db tuning. Those early songs sounded a lot better than their later stuff when they used standard tuning.
There is not a single VH song I can think of tuned really down whole half step to Eb. They are mostly 'around' quarter step down. Honestly I don't think think it's the reason why these songs are better. These songs are IMO simply better in most important aspects like songwriting, arrangements and production. I love Eddie's guitar tone on early record. Considering how old these records are it doesn't sound dated to me unlike other bands from that era.
I have an honest question.
I'm a jazz musician and it's not uncommon to gig with 7 string guitar players, with B E A D G B E tuning. This is so the guitar player can play bass notes if a bass player isn't around/ there's a guitar intro. Why not just do this?
Second question: Your low E (if we are talking about standard tuning) is in the bass clef- it reads as E 3, but plays an octave lower. Therefore, it is actually playing E 2. That's very low. Why make it lower?
This is also compounded by the fact you have a bass player. Bass also transposes an octave lower. This means a standard B string on a bass hits lower than a tuba.
What is the purpose of drop tuning? I've never understood it. Can someone explain this?
(Now if I'm wrong on the guitar part, let me know I don't Play guitar but i know its just like bass when it comes to reading music - they are an octave lower than they read. I'm a bass player with a degree in music)
is this why i tuned my uke to B? it was originally to play green day, but i have never moved it back to C