I'm playing mainly Bb instruments these days and will be doing a bit with a DADGAD player, he's never played with anything but concert pitch instruments so it got me thinking about adaptations. What do you do for string gauges/tuning down etc.? Obviously tuning down 4 steps would require some massive strings, but at the same time a wee less slack than normal doesn't hurt either for the timbre of Bb. So, do you tune down 2 steps and use slightly heavier strings, or tune 4 steps down and use cables, or do some fancy capoing and chording?
I wouldn't tune down, for me even going down to C is already problematic on the tuning - unless he can use really extra heavy strings, but that doesn't always work (we once used bass strings on a guitar to get a "Dervish bass" effect, but the guitar wouldn't accept the low G string, and the sound was awful), and is really awkward if your guitar man uses plectrum. There are two simplest routes: follow Donough's advice or learn to back uncapoed. Of course, in both cases you lose the drone effect.
It's possible and not really problematic to play uncapoed in any key in DADGAD, but if he's not used to backing tunes in non-obvious tunings I'd recommend sticking to Capo 5th Solution.
Or in DADGAD you could capo on the first fret and play in A - you are still getting some nice droney notes with the 2 a strings in the tuning. Alternatively he could capo on the 8th fret and play in D. It can be nice and ring-like if not over done.
Remember though that although you are playing a Bb instrument you are not only playing in the key of Bb. If:
Instead of D, G, and A you would be playing Bb, Eb, and F. Instead of Am and Em you are playing Fm and Cm. Bm is Gm and so on. He will probably still have to move the capo around to get the keys easily.
If your Bb instrument is in concert Bb (ie A=440) then it shouldn't be a problem beyond that. If you are playing a Bb instrument that is more like most highland pipes though and it is not in exact Bb then he will also need to retune a bit to adjust.
A question for DADGAD guitarists.
A question for DADGAD guitarists.
I'm playing mainly Bb instruments these days and will be doing a bit with a DADGAD player, he's never played with anything but concert pitch instruments so it got me thinking about adaptations. What do you do for string gauges/tuning down etc.? Obviously tuning down 4 steps would require some massive strings, but at the same time a wee less slack than normal doesn't hurt either for the timbre of Bb. So, do you tune down 2 steps and use slightly heavier strings, or tune 4 steps down and use cables, or do some fancy capoing and chording?
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by meemtp
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
Capo on 3rd fret and Bb tunes can be accompanied as if playing in G without capo. Open strings then become: F C F Bb C F
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by Donough
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
I wouldn't tune down, for me even going down to C is already problematic on the tuning - unless he can use really extra heavy strings, but that doesn't always work (we once used bass strings on a guitar to get a "Dervish bass" effect, but the guitar wouldn't accept the low G string, and the sound was awful), and is really awkward if your guitar man uses plectrum. There are two simplest routes: follow Donough's advice or learn to back uncapoed. Of course, in both cases you lose the drone effect.
It's possible and not really problematic to play uncapoed in any key in DADGAD, but if he's not used to backing tunes in non-obvious tunings I'd recommend sticking to Capo 5th Solution.
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by Janek
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
sorry, Capo 3rd Solution, where was my coffee when I needed it
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by Janek
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
Or in DADGAD you could capo on the first fret and play in A - you are still getting some nice droney notes with the 2 a strings in the tuning. Alternatively he could capo on the 8th fret and play in D. It can be nice and ring-like if not over done.
Remember though that although you are playing a Bb instrument you are not only playing in the key of Bb. If:
Instead of D, G, and A you would be playing Bb, Eb, and F. Instead of Am and Em you are playing Fm and Cm. Bm is Gm and so on. He will probably still have to move the capo around to get the keys easily.
If your Bb instrument is in concert Bb (ie A=440) then it shouldn't be a problem beyond that. If you are playing a Bb instrument that is more like most highland pipes though and it is not in exact Bb then he will also need to retune a bit to adjust.
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
Thanks everyone, I'm sure he's up on a lot of this, I was just curious and haven't been in touch with him...instant gratification!
# Posted on February 8th 2008 by meemtp
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
Eflat capo 1st fret,F capo 3rd fret,Bflat capo 1 and play in A.
# Posted on February 9th 2008 by dafydd
Re: A question for DADGAD guitarists.
Nice solutions, all.
For me, where the capo would go depends on how you'd like the open strings to sound with your Bb instruments.
enjoy,
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on February 11th 2008 by stv culchie