Greetings! I am new to The Session, new to tune playing, and new to the CBOM family of instruments (I've been playing string bass since high school, some 30-odd years). So forgive me if this topic has been done to death.
I'm focusing on accompaniment right now, and am using GDAD tuning on my 23" scale Flatiron OM. Since I am learning a new instrument, I don't yet have a sense of how dramatically different the ease of playing tunes would be were I to switch back to the GDAE tuning. I know there is more jumping around on the high end with my current tuning.
I've ordered a 10-stringer from Phil Crump, and my plan is to eventually use the Flatiron for melody, tuned GDAE and the 10-stringer for accompaniment, tuned DGDAD. If I learn to play melodies using GDAD will it be too odious to "relearn" them 6 months later using a GDAE tuning.
Feel free to point me to a previous thread if this topic has already been exhaustively covered.
This is just that, a welcome, others will follow. I can't offer you much for your question except to have known people who have made the transition from DADGAD, guitar, and from what I could tell without complaint ~ with an increased appreciaiton for what they could do with the old system.
There is something one of our members has put a lot of effort into that might help with accompaniment ~
"Celtic Back-Up for all Instrumentalists"
by Chris Smith
Mel Bay Publications, 1999
ISBN: 0-7866-4065-0
Maybe someone else more familiar with the work can comment further on it. There's also a website dedicated to modes by another member, which, as you're new, may help you toward a better understanding and consequently further your appreciation and skill of accompanying things outside of Major and minor, like the ever prevalent Dorian in this music, and others ~
I know a few people who keep their bouzoukis tuned GDAD, and still play tunes, just learning to move the hand up for the high notes. I've only been able to do that on a few tunes that I forced myself to learn that way.
I have a 10 string, and I've been known to tune it CGDAD, and then using a capo on the 7th fret for GDAEA. You can do that on a four course too, and just play tunes that don't go below the D (or play flute settings...)
But if you're going to accompany tunes, there's no substitute for having an open D on top as a drone string, which is one of the things I like about bouzouki accompaniment, where you have cool picking patterns making a counter-melody pattern, instead of straight chords.
Why try and change the thing that works ?
Go back to GDae if you're going to play tunes, then the brain and the fingers will be fine whether you have a 'zouk, an OM, a banjo, or a mandolin in your lap. Of course you do have to throw the fingers about more for a 'zouk, but it's the same tuning.
What you choose for accompaniment is up to you, but personally I can't be bothered with learning a whole new set of chords, or carrying about two instruments, otherwise identical, to a session.
Guernsey Pete's got it right, though lot's of people tune down a bit and capo up as much for the rattly sound and closer fret spacings in the bargain. You can play melody with the longer scale, but it will be a more difficult workout, and if you ever get to a shorter scale you'll likely be happy with how much easier it gets.
Thanks for the comments and the welcome. My main reason for wanting a 10 stringer is so I can do some 'root-5' type bass/continuo work on the lower 2 courses for songs (hence my plan to tune the lowere 2 courses DG). I am really digging the open D drone on the top. Somehow it makes it easier to wrap my ears around accompaniment possibilities, particularly as I prefer to learn tunes by ear.
As far as lugging 2 instruments to sessions, remember I've mostly played music as a bass player. I'm loving the fact that I can transport my instrument in the front seat of my car, and even tuck it under my arm if I need to carry something else.
I would try and persevere with both tunings if you can, but if you find it too confusing then you can always ditch one, and keep both instruments in the same tuning. GDAE is definitely better for tunes because if you ever get interested in playing mandolin or banjo, it'll be an easy transition.
On the other hand, you might find (as I did) that once you get your 10-string, you'll get more and more interested in accompaniment, when you realise what a great tuning DGDAD is, and how many possibilities it offers. Incidentally, I once wrote a Word document containing zillions and zillions of good chord shapes for different keys. If you think it might be helpful as a reference, PM me with your e-mail address and I'll hunt out the document and send it to you.
Well for my .02£ it's not much of a problem switching between the tunings.
I have 2 * 10 Cittern stringers that are both tuned to - that gives you a standard(ish) bouzouki GDAD and when you jump over the high D you also have GDAE Fiddle/Mandolin/Mandola/Banjo tuning - so you kind of have the best of both worlds.
I mostly use these for accompiament or the slower tunes as melody - scale length is 25 1/2 Inch.
I like the low G for droning on G Tunes - you can use the lower D for the same thing.
I also play Mandolin/Mandola for melody mostly tuned GDAE although I also have a Tenor manolin tuned CGDA but if you play things enough the change becomes automatic.
you tend to play certain tunes on a particular tuning/instrument anyway so it doesn't really become a problem.
Re the Chord document.
I have a small program called FRET that allows you to define any 4, 5 or 6 strings in ANY tuning and generate as many chords as you like + how big of "stretch" between frets you can accomodate.
You can then just print it out for any instrument or tuning.
If you want a copy or it can be placed in a folder on this site for download let me know.
Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Greetings! I am new to The Session, new to tune playing, and new to the CBOM family of instruments (I've been playing string bass since high school, some 30-odd years). So forgive me if this topic has been done to death.
I'm focusing on accompaniment right now, and am using GDAD tuning on my 23" scale Flatiron OM. Since I am learning a new instrument, I don't yet have a sense of how dramatically different the ease of playing tunes would be were I to switch back to the GDAE tuning. I know there is more jumping around on the high end with my current tuning.
I've ordered a 10-stringer from Phil Crump, and my plan is to eventually use the Flatiron for melody, tuned GDAE and the 10-stringer for accompaniment, tuned DGDAD. If I learn to play melodies using GDAD will it be too odious to "relearn" them 6 months later using a GDAE tuning.
Feel free to point me to a previous thread if this topic has already been exhaustively covered.
Thanks!
# Posted on November 21st 2008 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Failte Rhychawr Catsmeat! Catsmeat?
This is just that, a welcome, others will follow. I can't offer you much for your question except to have known people who have made the transition from DADGAD, guitar, and from what I could tell without complaint ~ with an increased appreciaiton for what they could do with the old system.
There is something one of our members has put a lot of effort into that might help with accompaniment ~
"Celtic Back-Up for all Instrumentalists"
by Chris Smith
Mel Bay Publications, 1999
ISBN: 0-7866-4065-0
Maybe someone else more familiar with the work can comment further on it. There's also a website dedicated to modes by another member, which, as you're new, may help you toward a better understanding and consequently further your appreciation and skill of accompanying things outside of Major and minor, like the ever prevalent Dorian in this music, and others ~
http://www.thesession.org/members/display/48348
Good luck, and may you find your time here mostly rewarding, or at least interesting...
# Posted on November 21st 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
I know a few people who keep their bouzoukis tuned GDAD, and still play tunes, just learning to move the hand up for the high notes. I've only been able to do that on a few tunes that I forced myself to learn that way.
I have a 10 string, and I've been known to tune it CGDAD, and then using a capo on the 7th fret for GDAEA. You can do that on a four course too, and just play tunes that don't go below the D (or play flute settings...)
But if you're going to accompany tunes, there's no substitute for having an open D on top as a drone string, which is one of the things I like about bouzouki accompaniment, where you have cool picking patterns making a counter-melody pattern, instead of straight chords.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by Reverend
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
A good first contribution, the blessings of Reverend Pete. I just remembered someone else and will send them a link to here...
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by ceolachan
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Why try and change the thing that works ?
Go back to GDae if you're going to play tunes, then the brain and the fingers will be fine whether you have a 'zouk, an OM, a banjo, or a mandolin in your lap. Of course you do have to throw the fingers about more for a 'zouk, but it's the same tuning.
What you choose for accompaniment is up to you, but personally I can't be bothered with learning a whole new set of chords, or carrying about two instruments, otherwise identical, to a session.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Guernsey Pete's got it right, though lot's of people tune down a bit and capo up as much for the rattly sound and closer fret spacings in the bargain. You can play melody with the longer scale, but it will be a more difficult workout, and if you ever get to a shorter scale you'll likely be happy with how much easier it gets.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by justjim
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Thanks for the comments and the welcome. My main reason for wanting a 10 stringer is so I can do some 'root-5' type bass/continuo work on the lower 2 courses for songs (hence my plan to tune the lowere 2 courses DG). I am really digging the open D drone on the top. Somehow it makes it easier to wrap my ears around accompaniment possibilities, particularly as I prefer to learn tunes by ear.
As far as lugging 2 instruments to sessions, remember I've mostly played music as a bass player. I'm loving the fact that I can transport my instrument in the front seat of my car, and even tuck it under my arm if I need to carry something else.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
I would try and persevere with both tunings if you can, but if you find it too confusing then you can always ditch one, and keep both instruments in the same tuning. GDAE is definitely better for tunes because if you ever get interested in playing mandolin or banjo, it'll be an easy transition.
On the other hand, you might find (as I did) that once you get your 10-string, you'll get more and more interested in accompaniment, when you realise what a great tuning DGDAD is, and how many possibilities it offers. Incidentally, I once wrote a Word document containing zillions and zillions of good chord shapes for different keys. If you think it might be helpful as a reference, PM me with your e-mail address and I'll hunt out the document and send it to you.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by Dow
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
I meant that the document contains chords for DGDAD tuning.
# Posted on November 22nd 2008 by Dow
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Well for my .02£ it's not much of a problem switching between the tunings.
I have 2 * 10 Cittern stringers that are both tuned to - that gives you a standard(ish) bouzouki GDAD and when you jump over the high D you also have GDAE Fiddle/Mandolin/Mandola/Banjo tuning - so you kind of have the best of both worlds.
I mostly use these for accompiament or the slower tunes as melody - scale length is 25 1/2 Inch.
I like the low G for droning on G Tunes - you can use the lower D for the same thing.
I also play Mandolin/Mandola for melody mostly tuned GDAE although I also have a Tenor manolin tuned CGDA but if you play things enough the change becomes automatic.
you tend to play certain tunes on a particular tuning/instrument anyway so it doesn't really become a problem.
# Posted on November 24th 2008 by UKCITTERN
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
Re the Chord document.
I have a small program called FRET that allows you to define any 4, 5 or 6 strings in ANY tuning and generate as many chords as you like + how big of "stretch" between frets you can accomodate.
You can then just print it out for any instrument or tuning.
If you want a copy or it can be placed in a folder on this site for download let me know.
# Posted on November 24th 2008 by UKCITTERN
Re: Best CBOM tunings for tunes
You can download Fret.exe on my dead website
http://cbom.free.fr/documents/Fret.exe
Click on the "G" button to define your instrument and the tuning choiced. You will have a lot of chords
But 50% of the chords given, you can't do them
# Posted on July 16th 2009 by Mandolman