Changing Your Tuning to Perfect Fifths

When you change the tuning of any stringed instrument, you inevitably change the instrument’s character. Of course, tuning isn’t the only element defining an instrument’s character but an instrument’s tuning has significant impact on how the instrument sounds and how it functions.

There are all sorts of tuning variations used by stringed instruments. For guitar there is NST, Drop D, Drop C, DADGAD, and many more. Banjos have many traditional tunings such as Open G tuning, tuning in 5ths, Chicago tuning, C tuning, Double C tuning, etc. Classical string players may run into pieces marked “scordatura” where the composer indicates a different tuning to be used for effect.

When you change your instrument’s tuning, you may find yourself picking up something totally new while leaving behind something very dear.

It may be practical to have an extra instrument for experimentation, if that is an option.

Tuning in Fourths vs Tuning in Fifths

Note: Guitars are generally considered to be tuned in fourths but there is one interval of a third (between the G and B strings). This enables the top and bottom strings to offer a two-octave displacement of the same note (E). However, instruments tuned in fifths do not traditionally attempt to close on octave displacements.

Instruments use different intervallic spacing between their strings. The closer that spacing is, that is to say the smaller the interval between each string, the richer or denser the harmonic sound will be. The farther that spacing becomes, that is to say, the larger the interval between each string, the more strident or piercing the sound becomes. And logically, the farther the spacing becomes, the greater the overall range of the instrument becomes.

While each of these tunings can easily render melodic playing and harmonic playing, instruments tuned in fifths lean more towards playing melodically while instruments tuned in fourths tend to fill the role of providing harmonic accompaniment.

Also, instruments with longer string lengths tend to have a shorter intervallic distance between their strings. This reduces the stretch required for the left hand in order to play all the notes before shifting to the next string.

These considerations have contributed to such norms as double basses and bass guitars being tuned in fourths. Similarly the guitar’s tuning in fourths has contributed to the development of its highly evolved systems of harmonic accompaniment.

All said, it is indeed understandable that moving toward tunings in fifths for some instruments can be a big leap. It may seem to be painstaking journey while learning what advantages this tuning offers. There are techniques available and mindshifts required to explore this new territory.