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GMC Forum _ THEORY _ 3rd String Tuned To C
Posted by: oscargt Oct 23 2019, 07:52 PM
Has anyone tried tuning 2nd string from B to C? EDIT: (my bad, I meant 2nd string)
Is that a good or bad idea?
My point on this is, if tuning by 4ths all strings can simplify learning less scales patterns throughout the fretboard.
You know anyone that does this? Is this worth it?
Since I am left-handed, I always play with my guitar, so no need to play others' (right-handed) guitars.
Thanks in advance for your comments. 
oscargt
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 24 2019, 07:44 PM
Well, folks have been using custom ways of tuning the guitar forever, so yeah, give it a whirl Paul Gilbert tunes one of his axes just for a particular bit of shredding to make it easier. However, I would not suggest doing your learning on a guitar tuned like that. Learning ones scales, and the notes on the neck can seem tedious but it's just part of the process. So I'd say play around with whatever tuning you like, but I wouldn't develop a playing style based on it as playing with others, and reading tablature/music, might get strange.
Todd
Is that a good or bad idea?
My point on this is, if tuning by 4ths all strings can simplify learning less scales patterns throughout the fretboard.
You know anyone that does this? Is this worth it?
Since I am left-handed, I always play with my guitar, so no need to play others' (right-handed) guitars.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
oscargt
Posted by: klasaine Oct 25 2019, 03:10 AM
Tom Quayle tunes all 4ths.
Robert Fripp likes tuning in 5ths.
There are a lot of players that tune to a different intervallic system but it's usually to get a specific sound or task.
As Todd mentioned though - not for beginners. A lot of things are gonna be more difficult, like chords. You tune that B string to a C and now what you going to do with your high E? Leave it or continue with the 4ths? Think about what that does to a simple open D or G chord.
There's a really good reason the guitar is tuned as it is - four 4ths and one major 3rd. It evolved over a couple of hundred years. The better you get, the more you'll see the genius of it.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 25 2019, 05:30 PM
Pro Tips per usual! Good point on the E. What then? Also, get ready to adjust all of your chords that use that string. Might make playing fast lead riffs a bit easier in some cases not having to shift positions at the B string, but after re reading your first post it sounds like you are asking about doing it as a permanent modification which would not be great idea imho. Experimenting is always fun, but, one still needs to learn the basic chords and scales and the B shift is part of the fun
Todd
Robert Fripp likes tuning in 5ths.
There are a lot of players that tune to a different intervallic system but it's usually to get a specific sound or task.
As Todd mentioned though - not for beginners. A lot of things are gonna be more difficult, like chords. You tune that B string to a C and now what you going to do with your high E? Leave it or continue with the 4ths? Think about what that does to a simple open D or G chord.
There's a really good reason the guitar is tuned as it is - four 4ths and one major 3rd. It evolved over a couple of hundred years. The better you get, the more you'll see the genius of it.
Posted by: oscargt Oct 25 2019, 06:30 PM
Thanks Todd, klasaine for your comments and advice. Appreciate that.
I'll continue my learning with standar tuning and maybe in the future I'll try this.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 26 2019, 12:52 AM
Give it a whirl! Just don't lose your tuner! Alt Tunings can be fun. The drop D tuning is used all the time. Some folks make it their standard tuning. I find it gets in the way of lead work just a pinch but it makes one finger power chords sound cool.
Todd
I'll continue my learning with standar tuning and maybe in the future I'll try this.
Posted by: klasaine Oct 26 2019, 01:25 AM
How about 'try it out' on a second guitar - ?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 26 2019, 06:10 PM
Another fine suggestion. If a second guitar is available, tune it however you like and experiment
Posted by: oscargt Oct 27 2019, 04:06 PM
Well, I do have a second guitar to experiment tuning.
Although to be honest, since both use Floyd Rose, it's a pain tuning it 
So, I'll think about this and keep practicing the good stuff in the meantime.
Thanks a lot for your comments and advice!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 28 2019, 10:48 PM
Perfect! Having an extra guitar that can be used to experiment with alternate tunings is handy. You can even make up tunings and try chords on them to see if you like it. If it's got locking nuts, just leave it unlocked for quick access
Although to be honest, since both use Floyd Rose, it's a pain tuning it
So, I'll think about this and keep practicing the good stuff in the meantime.
Thanks a lot for your comments and advice!
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