Is there is reason to prefer one tuning over the other if you want to play melody as well as accompaniment on the zouk? Advantages or disadvantages?
Thanks.
I know people who play both melody and accompaniment in both tunings.
Melody is easier in GDAE, of course, because each course is in fifths, and you don't have to move your hand as much when playing on the high string.
GDAD is generally better for accompaniment, because you have the open ringing strings, which can really help with the "bouzouki sound".
A lot of the players that accompany in GDAE seem to treat the instrument more like a guitar, with more basic chords, and less of the contrapuntal style, mixed in with the droning strings. Which is what I generally prefer for bouzouki in Irish.
So it really may come down to what you think you want to do more of... If you learn tunes in GDAD, and are comfortable moving your hand (which you should be for accompaniment, too), then that may be the way to go. You'll get used to the high string. I have found it difficult to switch back and forth.
(Although, I have a 5 course bouzouki, so I can tune CGDAD, and then put a capo on the 7th, and have GDAEA, where I can play tunes on the 4 lower courses. You can do that on a 4 course instrument as well, of course, and just not be able to go down to the low string - kind of like playing a flute!)
I've been back and forth on this for a long time to the extent that I've made far less progress in either than I would have liked.
I've finally (?) decided I'm more of a melody man and, since I regularly play tenor banjo in GDAE, I'm going to pass on the delights of that droning high D and stick to this.
Some encouragement comes from Gerry McKee who seems to get along fine accompanying in GDAE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwto-jXrBlE
(He has a DVD tutor that teaches this.)
Since I started messing about on the tsouras (the "ladies' bouzouki", they call it around here) I've found more to like in DAD tuning, which obviously suggests that I might want to play about in GDAD on my American bouzouki. It takes a bit of getting used to, but going up the neck is much more manageable, since the string crossings are over a fourth, not a fifth. A tune like Rolling in the Barrel or Maid Behind the Bar actually ends up being played mostly at the fifth fret, and it's fine.
However, I still think that GDAE is easier, especially if you're asking the question.
When I started to play the bouzouki (3 years ago) I came to it from the mandolin and used GDAE tuning like a mandolin. My Mandolin playing was mostly melody playing and once I got use to the longer scale I could easily transfer the tunes.
I had the Gerry McKee DVD (GDAE) and bought the Zan Mcleod video (GDAD) and realized I can’t learn this way and have just struggled through by playing all the time – apologies my wife and kids.
I wanted a bouzouki for accompaniment and because I liked the sound but to my ear bouzouki tuned GADE doesn’t sound as good as GDAD when accompanying ITM. About a year ago I switched to GDAD tuning and have since learned the tunes with this different tuning. Try both and find out which is right for you. You may change several times before hitting the right tuning - Jez Lowe uses GDGD and/or ADAD and there are others.
reverend, that sounds like a great setup. I have a similar set up on my waldzither (GDAEB) and capo on 5th but I'm thinking of moving to something larger for a fatter sound.You can also capo just the top 4 courses and let the bottom string(s) drone.
Also, when you are in GDAD and using a capo, you can always capo at 7 giving you DAEA which puts the top three courses of the GDAE tuned instrument on the bottom three courses, perfect for playing most tunes (you'd have to fold tunes that use the G string) if you already are comfortable with GDAE.
This assumes that your instrument maintains good intonation when using that capo up that high.
using GDAD I find I can use 7ths, 9ths, dim, min6 etc allot easier then with GDAE. I'm looking at getting an instrument with an extra course of strings a low C so I can get 11ths and 13ths more easily as well.
GDAD, if you learn to play in a few positions can be good for playing tunes. GDAE makes pentatonic scales very easy. which is good for trad.
Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
Is there is reason to prefer one tuning over the other if you want to play melody as well as accompaniment on the zouk? Advantages or disadvantages?
Thanks.
# Posted on July 16th 2010 by crickett
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
I know people who play both melody and accompaniment in both tunings.
Melody is easier in GDAE, of course, because each course is in fifths, and you don't have to move your hand as much when playing on the high string.
GDAD is generally better for accompaniment, because you have the open ringing strings, which can really help with the "bouzouki sound".
A lot of the players that accompany in GDAE seem to treat the instrument more like a guitar, with more basic chords, and less of the contrapuntal style, mixed in with the droning strings. Which is what I generally prefer for bouzouki in Irish.
So it really may come down to what you think you want to do more of... If you learn tunes in GDAD, and are comfortable moving your hand (which you should be for accompaniment, too), then that may be the way to go. You'll get used to the high string. I have found it difficult to switch back and forth.
(Although, I have a 5 course bouzouki, so I can tune CGDAD, and then put a capo on the 7th, and have GDAEA, where I can play tunes on the 4 lower courses. You can do that on a 4 course instrument as well, of course, and just not be able to go down to the low string - kind of like playing a flute!)
# Posted on July 16th 2010 by Reverend
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
I've been back and forth on this for a long time to the extent that I've made far less progress in either than I would have liked.
I've finally (?) decided I'm more of a melody man and, since I regularly play tenor banjo in GDAE, I'm going to pass on the delights of that droning high D and stick to this.
Some encouragement comes from Gerry McKee who seems to get along fine accompanying in GDAE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwto-jXrBlE
(He has a DVD tutor that teaches this.)
# Posted on July 16th 2010 by grego
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
Since I started messing about on the tsouras (the "ladies' bouzouki", they call it around here) I've found more to like in DAD tuning, which obviously suggests that I might want to play about in GDAD on my American bouzouki. It takes a bit of getting used to, but going up the neck is much more manageable, since the string crossings are over a fourth, not a fifth. A tune like Rolling in the Barrel or Maid Behind the Bar actually ends up being played mostly at the fifth fret, and it's fine.
However, I still think that GDAE is easier, especially if you're asking the question.
# Posted on July 16th 2010 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
When I started to play the bouzouki (3 years ago) I came to it from the mandolin and used GDAE tuning like a mandolin. My Mandolin playing was mostly melody playing and once I got use to the longer scale I could easily transfer the tunes.
I had the Gerry McKee DVD (GDAE) and bought the Zan Mcleod video (GDAD) and realized I can’t learn this way and have just struggled through by playing all the time – apologies my wife and kids.
I wanted a bouzouki for accompaniment and because I liked the sound but to my ear bouzouki tuned GADE doesn’t sound as good as GDAD when accompanying ITM. About a year ago I switched to GDAD tuning and have since learned the tunes with this different tuning. Try both and find out which is right for you. You may change several times before hitting the right tuning - Jez Lowe uses GDGD and/or ADAD and there are others.
# Posted on July 16th 2010 by jimtowat
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
reverend, that sounds like a great setup. I have a similar set up on my waldzither (GDAEB) and capo on 5th but I'm thinking of moving to something larger for a fatter sound.You can also capo just the top 4 courses and let the bottom string(s) drone.
# Posted on July 17th 2010 by edorian
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
I play GDAE for tunes, GDAD with a Quickdraw capo for backing.
# Posted on July 17th 2010 by Michael Eskin
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
Also, when you are in GDAD and using a capo, you can always capo at 7 giving you DAEA which puts the top three courses of the GDAE tuned instrument on the bottom three courses, perfect for playing most tunes (you'd have to fold tunes that use the G string) if you already are comfortable with GDAE.
This assumes that your instrument maintains good intonation when using that capo up that high.
# Posted on July 17th 2010 by Michael Eskin
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
Also apoing at fret 7 (on my zouk at least) kills the tone so much I'd be better off with my OM.
# Posted on July 17th 2010 by grego
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
How about DADAD? I've tried all the others and stick with this. It can also be CGCGC. Similar to tuning on my Hindustani slide guitar btw.
# Posted on July 18th 2010 by boblusk
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
using GDAD I find I can use 7ths, 9ths, dim, min6 etc allot easier then with GDAE. I'm looking at getting an instrument with an extra course of strings a low C so I can get 11ths and 13ths more easily as well.
GDAD, if you learn to play in a few positions can be good for playing tunes. GDAE makes pentatonic scales very easy. which is good for trad.
# Posted on July 18th 2010 by szifty
Re: Zouk Melody Playing: GDAD or GDAE?
After years of switching between GDAD and GDAE I've finally settled on GDAD#, which has solved all of the above mentioned problems!
# Posted on July 19th 2010 by Kerry Evan
Er how does this solve the problems Kerry ?
# Posted on July 19th 2010 by bazouki dave