I've received on monday my Irish Bouzouki... i've playe mandolin for 2 years.
now I have a BIG question: in the two couples of bass strigs, I have on large monopiece string, and a large string like the guitare's bass strings, then the same, and then the two higher couples are both the same size.
So should I tune my bouzouki like that:
Gg Dd aa ee
so that the "G" is an octave higher than the "g" and the "D" on octave higher thant the "d"?
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Yes, your bouzouki sounds like it's set up for octaves on the two bass strings. There are quite a few people who use that tuning, but I personally prefer each course to be in unison (but you'll find plenty of both). Make sure and check out Hans Irish Bouzouki Page on the net, lots of good stuff there for a new guy. Good luck!
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
I've just re-read your question, and the terminology is to write the higher note with the lower case letter, the opposite of what you did, which confused me for a minute.
Greek bouzoukis, from which the irish 'zouk was developed, usually have the high string first, than the bass, like yours is strung. This is how 12-string guitars are strung on their lowest four courses. It gives a little prominence to the higher octave string of each pair as you strum or pick down. Some people have their octave pairs the other way around, as there is no consensus as to the correct way to do it.
If you want to change things round you may have to fit a new nut and bridge, because the slots and notches for the bass two courses will be thick and thin the wrong way round. If you go over to all-unison stringing you will have to deepen/widen the slots previously for the high octave strings, or get a luthier to do it, and you can't really go back, as I said, you will have to replace nut and bridge. I recommend caution before changing things. And don't forget to buy the string sets with the octave pairs, not just unison sets.
Did you buy yours over the net, you mad fool ? Don't you know you should always try before you buy ? ( OK, I did too, but it was a bargain, I tell you. )
Personally I like the sound with the octaves, my friend with the unison set on his guizouki gets an altogether different sound, not displeasing, but not the same at all.
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Thanks for all your answers!
Pete, thanks for your explanations! in fact now i know i've tuned it right with the two octave basses, i'm gonna keep this tuning as i really love this sound.
I know my english isn't the best at all, and even worse when it comes to specific words like here ^^
I play mandolin, but the Zouk was a present by my parents because I passed my Bachelor In Laws... and as here i wasn't able to find an Irish zouk... or even a greek one, I use the web... but i'm really happy!!! it's just that i jump intoBouzouki music with almost zero knowledge of this instrument!!
BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Hello,
I've received on monday my Irish Bouzouki... i've playe mandolin for 2 years.
now I have a BIG question: in the two couples of bass strigs, I have on large monopiece string, and a large string like the guitare's bass strings, then the same, and then the two higher couples are both the same size.
So should I tune my bouzouki like that:
Gg Dd aa ee
so that the "G" is an octave higher than the "g" and the "D" on octave higher thant the "d"?
Thanks for helping me!
CHeers
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by Hellmasterdeadman
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Tune it whatever way you want..
GDAE
GDAD
ADAD
ADAE
There are probably more.
Good luck and enjoy
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Personally i prefer unison tuning, each string the same gauge. but read about it first.
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by piobagusfidil
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Yes, your bouzouki sounds like it's set up for octaves on the two bass strings. There are quite a few people who use that tuning, but I personally prefer each course to be in unison (but you'll find plenty of both). Make sure and check out Hans Irish Bouzouki Page on the net, lots of good stuff there for a new guy. Good luck!
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by MR.
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Here's the link, Hellmasterdeadman (phew, long name!):
http://www.xs4all.nl/~hspeek/bouzouki/
Here's another good one, Banwarth on the Web (Jean Banwarth is or used to be a member here, and a GREAT musician!):
http://banwarth.free.fr/
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by MR.
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
I've just re-read your question, and the terminology is to write the higher note with the lower case letter, the opposite of what you did, which confused me for a minute.
Greek bouzoukis, from which the irish 'zouk was developed, usually have the high string first, than the bass, like yours is strung. This is how 12-string guitars are strung on their lowest four courses. It gives a little prominence to the higher octave string of each pair as you strum or pick down. Some people have their octave pairs the other way around, as there is no consensus as to the correct way to do it.
If you want to change things round you may have to fit a new nut and bridge, because the slots and notches for the bass two courses will be thick and thin the wrong way round. If you go over to all-unison stringing you will have to deepen/widen the slots previously for the high octave strings, or get a luthier to do it, and you can't really go back, as I said, you will have to replace nut and bridge. I recommend caution before changing things. And don't forget to buy the string sets with the octave pairs, not just unison sets.
Did you buy yours over the net, you mad fool ? Don't you know you should always try before you buy ? ( OK, I did too, but it was a bargain, I tell you. )
Personally I like the sound with the octaves, my friend with the unison set on his guizouki gets an altogether different sound, not displeasing, but not the same at all.
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: BOuzouki Tuning in GDAE... HEEEELLLLP Please!! ^^
Thanks for all your answers!
Pete, thanks for your explanations! in fact now i know i've tuned it right with the two octave basses, i'm gonna keep this tuning as i really love this sound.
I know my english isn't the best at all, and even worse when it comes to specific words like here ^^
I play mandolin, but the Zouk was a present by my parents because I passed my Bachelor In Laws... and as here i wasn't able to find an Irish zouk... or even a greek one, I use the web... but i'm really happy!!! it's just that i jump intoBouzouki music with almost zero knowledge of this instrument!!
thanks for all!!!
cheers and have a nice day!
# Posted on November 22nd 2007 by Hellmasterdeadman