Among alternative tunings for the guitar, all-fourths tuning is a regular tuning. In contrast, the standard tuning has one irregularity--a major third between the third and second strings--while having perfect fourths between the other successive strings. The standard tuning's irregular major-third is replaced by a perfect fourth in all-fourths tuning, which has the open notes E2-A2-D3-G3-C4-F4.
Among regular tunings, this all-fourths tuning best approximates the standard tuning.
In all guitar tunings, the higher-octave version of a chord can be found by translating a chord by twelve frets higher along the fretboard. In every regular tuning, for example in all-fourths tuning, chords and intervals can be moved also diagonally. For all-fourths tuning, all twelve major chords (in the first or open positions) are generated by two chords, the open F major chord and the D major chord. The regularity of chord-patterns reduces the number of finger positions that need to be memorized. Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical".
Among all regular tunings, all-fourths tuning E-A-D-G-C-F is the best approximation of standard tuning, which is more popular. An advantage of standard tuning is that it has many six-string chords, unlike all-fourths tuning. All-fourths tuning is traditionally used for the bass guitar; it is also used for the bajo sexto.
Allan Holdsworth stated that if he were to learn the guitar again he would tune it in all-fourths.
Video All fourths tuning
Relation with all-fifths tuning
All-fourths tuning is closely related to all-fifths tuning. All-fourths tuning is based on the perfect fourth (five semitones), and all-fifths tuning is based on the perfect fifth (seven semitones). These perfect-fourth and perfect-fifth intervals are termed "inverse" intervals in music theory, and the chords of all-fourth and all-fifths are paired as inverted chords. Consequently, chord charts for all-fifths tunings may be used for left-handed all-fourths tuning.
Maps All fourths tuning
See also
- Scordatura, alternative tunings of stringed instruments
- Laúd and bandurria, Spanish six-course plucked string instruments tuned in fourths
- Puerto Rican cuatro, five-course plucked string instrument tuned in fourths
- commons:Category:Perfect fourths tuning charts and diagrams for P4 tuning
Notes
References
- Denyer, Ralph (1992). "Playing the guitar". The guitar handbook. Special contributors Isaac Guillory and Alastair M. Crawford (Fully revised and updated ed.). London and Sydney: Pan Books. pp. 65-160. ISBN 0-330-32750-X.
- Nash, Paul (1 July 1997). "Guitar in fourths: Guitar tuning with all strings in perfect fourth intervals apart". Guitar Player. NewBay Media LLC. (subscription required). Retrieved 14 October 2012 - via HighBeam Research.
- Sethares, William A. (2011). "Alternate tuning guide". Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin; Department of Electrical Engineering. 2010 PDF version by Bill Sethares. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- Weissman, Dick (2006). "Other tunings: Fourths tuning". Guitar tunings: A comprehensive guide. Routledge. pp. 68-70. ISBN 9780415974417. LCCN 0415974410.
Further reading
- Bianco, Bob (1987) [1969]. Guitar in fourths: A manual for playing (republication of A manual for playing the guitar in fourths (Catalona Enterprises, pp. 1-64) ed.). New York City: Calliope Music. pp. 1-64. ISBN 0-9605912-2-2. OCLC 16526869.
External links
- Bromley, Keith (May 2013). Sixty guitar chords for all-fourths tuning: An introductory tutorial about chords on a guitar tuned to all fourths (pdf). Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- Zhille's guitar blog: Perfect fourths (P4) tuning-Basics and examples
- Yahoo group for all-fourths tuning
- Lessons and articles on fourths tuning using Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B-E
- Introduction to All Fourths Tuning + Free PDF Reference Guide
- r/allfourthstuning sub-reddit for all fourths tuning
Source of article : Wikipedia
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