Posts: 127
Threads: 9
Joined: Sep 2003
Reputation:
0
I used to just strum away in stantard tuning (E, A, D stuff). But a couple of days ago I dropped both E strings down to D and capoed the 2nd fret. It sounds so much like the original recording (but it would be nice to have someone strumming the chords in standard at the same time).
Maybe some of you already knew this, I've been playing for over 15 years, I've just never focused on this song before.
Posts: 136
Threads: 8
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
I always play it in open E tuning (E B E G# B E)
I made a tab of it a loooong time ago if anyone wants it.
Posts: 1,502
Threads: 59
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
Sfissel, it maybe a stupid question but...
I have no clue how to tune a guitar outside of the regular tuning. I have an actual guitar tuner (can't tune by ear). It takes batteries. I have always skipped the Hip tabs (and others) that require different tuning. I've come across "drop-d tuning" several times among others. Just wondering though; how do I play Fiddler's Green with "open E"? Is there a site somewhere to explain? Everytime I surf, I never find an explanation, so I just stopped bothering with it.
Posts: 136
Threads: 8
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Well...if you have a tuner that tunes to any note (a chromatic tuner) it's pretty simple. You just tune your A string up until it's tuned to a B, you tune your D string up until it's an E, and you tune your G string up until it's a G# (aka Ab). Then you've got it.
However, if you've got a tuner that will only tune to standard tuning, you have to do it the old fashioned way, which I will attempt to explain.
Ok, first tune to standard tuning. Now what you need to do is tune your A string to a B. Play the Low E string while fretting at the 7th fret, and tune your open A string so that it sounds the same as the note you're playing on the E.
Ok, now that your A string has been tuned to a B, you need to tune the D string to an E. To do this, play the string formerly known as A (the one you turned into a B) while fretting at the 5th fret and tune the D string so that it sounds the same when played open as the fretted note you're playing.
Ok, last one! Now we're going to tune your G string to a G# (aka Gsharp). So, play the string formerly known as D (the one you just turned into an E) while fretting it at the 4th fret. Then you tune the G string so that it sounds the same as that fretted note.
Ok, if all went well, you're in open E tuning. If not, I blame myself, I'm about halfway between being drunk and a hangover.
Oh, and dropped D tuning is relatively simple. First, start in standard tuning. All you want to do is drop the lowest string (Low E) down two tones. To do this, LOWER the pitch of the low E string such that when you play that string at the 7th fret, that note should sound the same as the next string (the A string) played open.
If you have any questions, or if this is totally unclear, feel free to ask.
steve
Posts: 1,502
Threads: 59
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
Saturday-night drinking too, eh? I've been up all night. Okay, as far as the tuner goes, I don't know if it's chromatic. I have a KORG guitar/bass tuner GA-20. It's a grey box (about 2" by 3.5") that has an LCD meter on it and a built-in mic and input jack. It has four buttons, "Auto" "Manual String" "Flat" and "Power"... i don't know if I can make it tune to different tunings. All I do is pluck an open string and the little meter flicks and i gotta wind the pegs until it's in the center and it's green lights instead of red. Is this making any sense to you? Some specifications include "Quadra Flat" Tuning, 12 note equal-tempered, flat-tuning function: 1-4 semitones (semitone step), and others. I have my guitar in front of me and I'm about to attempt tuning by ear but I've never been able to do this.... unless I set my tuner for one string and pluck another? that would be the same wouldn't it?
Posts: 1,502
Threads: 59
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
I found your tab on aheadbyacentury.com by the way... I could do the rhythm part before (chords E, A, B and D) pretty simple enough but not the lead and slide. It'd be nice to learn though...
Posts: 136
Threads: 8
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Yeah, that sounds more or less like a standard tuner, or at least it wont help you with tuning to open E.
You could put it on MANUAL mode, and set it to a B string for tuning the A string up to a B. Then you could set it to E to tune your D string up to an E.
But you're still stuck on the G# that way. I'd say you should try to do it by ear if possible, if you can learn to tune by ear, it'll make you a better musican anyways.
Lotsa luck
Steve
Posts: 1,502
Threads: 59
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
Okay, this is weird, maybe my tuner's screwed. I did it by ear cuz I can't set the manual B, the A doesn't even register on it, BUT, i started doing it by ear. I did seventh fret on low E with open A, tuned A down to it. Right? Then when I did the A (formerly) on the fifth fret with D, they already sounded closer than the seventh-fret E and A. So I left it and continued to G# but it already sounded like it like the D on the fourth fret. I'm confusing the hell out of myself (and probably you) so I'll keep giving it a try and I'll let you know if I get it. Thanks for your help, Steve! Maybe I blew my eardrums from listening to The Hip too loud... :wink:
Posts: 1,502
Threads: 59
Joined: Jul 2003
Reputation:
0
I got it. I thought it would be really different sounding but it's just slightly different. I tuned them like you said and then listened to some music, went back with a fresh ear and tuned again. Sounds pretty good with the regular chords. I'm gonna attempt the lead/slide parts. Thanks again, man. It's appreciated. I'll check out that link and see what it's like.
:thumb:
Posts: 136
Threads: 8
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Awesome, happy strumming.
Steve
