I recently purchased a cittern, and was wondering what tuning is preffered/used? I'd really like to get the tuning figured out before I learn anything on it. Also, are there chord charts anywhere online?
...and you haven't even said or asked what strings yet.........
I'd suggest going on the CBOM Forum, Citterns, Bouzoukis, and Octave Mandolas that is.
But I suspect you will get many answers.
My old friend Doc Rossi is currently working on a book on this, which should be well worth reading when it comes out.
It really depends on what you're doing with it. If you're primarily accompanying tunes, then I would think about DGDAD or DADAD, so that you have lots of ringing open strings. If you're primarily playing tunes, then I would think about DGDAE, which has mandolin tuning on top, with a low low D on the bottom. If you're doing a lot of both, then think about CGDAD, which is good for accompaniment, but a capo at the 7th fret gives you mandolin tuning on the bottom for playing tunes. (or just get used to playing tunes with a D on top...)
One of the great things about citterns, bouzoukis, octave mandolins, or whatever you want to call them is the potential variation in tuning possibilities that let you do what you want to do with the instrument. There are no standard tunings, preferred tunings, etc. I have a five course bouzouki (my prefered name, please everybody don't start that discussion) that I tune GDADA, which lets me do melody and accompaniment that fits my musical preferences. But, you are free to do whatever you want. Have fun, enjoy, and good playing. Congrats on the new instrument. Davy Stuart makes excellent instruments. He made me a mandola some years ago and it was great.
Yup I think its a good idea being in tune and with those string guages as the rev suggested either would be fine although I prefer 18 wound for the A string
I dunno if John meant specifically for Irish music or not, but if so, I'd disagree that there are "no preferred tunings". Most people stick to the tunings used by the musicians they've been hearing on recordings since the 60s. Some don't, but I'd say most do.
If I ever get a cittern I suspect I might lean towards DADGD as it is closest to playing in DADGAD. I need to play my bouzouki more but I find it awkward with the G on the bass. Just reversing DADGAD shapes does not work right.
I did once play a cittern tuned in ADGAD - it absolutely threw me, as it was neither DADGAD or GDAE which is my preferred bouzouki tuning.
When I finally get round to building my cittern, which may take some time as I'm both slow and have a mandola and a couple of electrics on the stocks already, I hope my old fingers will still work, and I intend to tune it in CGDAE, but that's what makes sense to me.
Cittern Tuning?
Cittern Tuning?
I recently purchased a cittern, and was wondering what tuning is preffered/used? I'd really like to get the tuning figured out before I learn anything on it. Also, are there chord charts anywhere online?
Thanks,
---Corey
# Posted on March 5th 2010 by vacoreye
Re: Cittern Tuning?
...and you haven't even said or asked what strings yet.........
I'd suggest going on the CBOM Forum, Citterns, Bouzoukis, and Octave Mandolas that is.
But I suspect you will get many answers.
My old friend Doc Rossi is currently working on a book on this, which should be well worth reading when it comes out.
# Posted on March 5th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Cittern Tuning?
The strings that are currently on are 54, 42, 30, 17, 12.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by vacoreye
Re: Cittern Tuning?
Scale length ? Make ?
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Cittern Tuning?
25.4" scale. It's a Davy Stuart.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by vacoreye
Re: Cittern Tuning?
I keep mine tuned any one of the following:
CGDAD
DGDAD
DGDAE
DADAD
It really depends on what you're doing with it. If you're primarily accompanying tunes, then I would think about DGDAD or DADAD, so that you have lots of ringing open strings. If you're primarily playing tunes, then I would think about DGDAE, which has mandolin tuning on top, with a low low D on the bottom. If you're doing a lot of both, then think about CGDAD, which is good for accompaniment, but a capo at the 7th fret gives you mandolin tuning on the bottom for playing tunes. (or just get used to playing tunes with a D on top...)
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Cittern Tuning?
Oh, I am so jealous, when my boat comes in I'm getting one.....
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Cittern Tuning?
Thanks so much for all the help! Are there chord sheets for CGDAD anywhere?
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by vacoreye
Re: Cittern Tuning?
I have chord sheets for DGDAD but not CGDAD. They're easy enough to work out tho
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Dr. Dow
Re: Cittern Tuning?
If you can't find charts, there is a nifty little toy here:
http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/guitar/index_rb.html
Ignore one of the strings and enter your tuning as a custom tuning.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by skreech
Re: Cittern Tuning?
One of the great things about citterns, bouzoukis, octave mandolins, or whatever you want to call them is the potential variation in tuning possibilities that let you do what you want to do with the instrument. There are no standard tunings, preferred tunings, etc. I have a five course bouzouki (my prefered name, please everybody don't start that discussion) that I tune GDADA, which lets me do melody and accompaniment that fits my musical preferences. But, you are free to do whatever you want. Have fun, enjoy, and good playing. Congrats on the new instrument. Davy Stuart makes excellent instruments. He made me a mandola some years ago and it was great.
John
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by John Conoboy
Re: Cittern Tuning?
Yup I think its a good idea being in tune and with those string guages as the rev suggested either would be fine although I prefer 18 wound for the A string
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by bazouki dave
Re: Cittern Tuning?
I dunno if John meant specifically for Irish music or not, but if so, I'd disagree that there are "no preferred tunings". Most people stick to the tunings used by the musicians they've been hearing on recordings since the 60s. Some don't, but I'd say most do.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Dr. Dow
Re: Cittern Tuning?
If I ever get a cittern I suspect I might lean towards DADGD as it is closest to playing in DADGAD. I need to play my bouzouki more but I find it awkward with the G on the bass. Just reversing DADGAD shapes does not work right.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Cittern Tuning?
I did once play a cittern tuned in ADGAD - it absolutely threw me, as it was neither DADGAD or GDAE which is my preferred bouzouki tuning.
When I finally get round to building my cittern, which may take some time as I'm both slow and have a mandola and a couple of electrics on the stocks already, I hope my old fingers will still work, and I intend to tune it in CGDAE, but that's what makes sense to me.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Cittern Tuning?
To Alistair: GDADA works great - it's like a zouk with an extra top A.
To Pete: you'll miss some really lush chords available in DGDAD! But if you wanna play tunes rather than back I guess...
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Dr. Dow
Re: Cittern Tuning?
I use DGDAD, or CGDAD is nice too.....
# Posted on March 8th 2010 by seaniemcg