Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 8, 2014 at 4:48pm

Agreeable Zen response warning: you're both right. Explore. Widely, then in depth. Or be like a tree: put down deep roots, then branch out.

Permalink Reply by TN Twang on April 9, 2014 at 5:47am

Since I'm only playing CBG in the privacy of my own home, I relish trying new tunings and building more instruments so I can have more options available. (I hate re-tuning on the fly.)

However, as I give CBGs away and as I'm trying to get some very unskilled musician/builders interested in this hobby, I find that "It depends!" just doesn't cut it as an answer. Beginners need a short, authoritative-sounding answer even if the real truth is much more complicated. (Patrick I'm sure your students look to you for quick, definitive answers--even when you know there are other possibilities out there.)

Anyway, that's why I keep bringing this up. I'm very much in the midst of my own search for a succinct answer that I can give with a straight face and Zen-like calm to some poor soul who isn't entirely sure which end is the headstock. Sadly, there are so many online references to 1-5-8 tuning (which to me is just a misapplication of Appalachian dulcimer tuning) that I'll have to make a strong case to convince any beginner to try something different.

I ain't fond of 1-5-8, but if it'll get someone past the tuning controversy and get 'em to start learning the instrument, I'm increasingly tempted to just tell beginners that it's okay to tune that way.

Just my $.02,

TN

Permalink Reply by turtlehead on March 31, 2014 at 9:54am

I just ran through the intro and it looks and sounds like you have it right - way to go!  In answer to your question about what tuning is good for rock, I'd say this open G (151) tuning is a good place to start.  Check out jeff maurer's vids - he can shred pretty hard using this tuning.  Here's him doing Purple Haze in AEA tuning (still 151 tuning, just up a step from G)

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/purple-haze-on-cigar-box-guitar

Now, he is playing with frets and that opens up more possibilities than just playing slide, but you are on the right track here.  Like TN Twang and RTZ mentioned, you will eventually run into a wall with this tuning, but if you want to rock or play the blues, you're off and running.

Once you go through this process a few times, you will learn where the chord positions are on your guitar and hopefully won't have to transcribe every time.  In G tuning, A is at the second fret, C is at the fifth, D is at the seventh and so on. 

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Permalink Reply by Scruggy on March 31, 2014 at 12:26pm

Ya great vid Jeff has some awesome songs!

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Permalink Reply by RTZGUITARS on April 2, 2014 at 5:43am

Killing is the wrong word  How about Beyond the 1-5-1.

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Permalink Reply by TN Twang on March 31, 2014 at 11:17am

Using new computer. Goofball video software is not previously tested. This probably won't work, but here's a try.

Couple of quick-and-dirty videos (complete with wrong notes) of gospel songs on 3-string slider tuned G#be. I'm trying to use enough cross-picking to get decent voice leading under (and over) the melody.

Lemme' know what you think (if the videos upload).

TN

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Permalink Reply by TN Twang on March 31, 2014 at 12:11pm

Well that didn't work.

Gotta' run for now. Try to upload later...

TN

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Permalink Reply by jeff maurer on March 31, 2014 at 2:30pm

I use root fith root tuning in the key of A almost exclusively. I like to plug my cbg into the amp and crank the stereo up real loud and play along to my rock and metal cd's and tapes and YouTube vids. Sometimes I need to tune down a half step(like if I'm playing along to Motorhead songs) or even a whole step. What I have found with this tuning is that it translates pretty well to standard tuning. Your root notes for your power chords in A E A tuning will be in the same fret position as they would be for a 6 string guitar in standard tuning. For example C is still at the third fret, D at the fith, E at the seventh, F at the eighth , G at the tenth. Those are for power chords with roots on the A string. For roots on the E string, F is at the first fret, F# the second, G is at the third and so on. What this means for me is I can take all the songs I've learned on six string guitar and play them on my cigar box and for the most part every thing is in the same positions. Now that being said I would also say that is important to refer to notes by their letter name and learn them chromatically. A, B flat, C, c sharp, D flat, D, E flat, E, F, F sharp, G, A flat, and back again to A. It is always in that order and will never change. And learn to play by ear. I only use tabs if I get stuck on something and can't figure it out by ear

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Permalink Reply by Scruggy on March 31, 2014 at 3:35pm

Hi thanks Jeff love your vids some awsome playing!
For tuning AEA is there anywhere there is a full chord chart like the ones for GDG and DAD on www.cigarbox101.com in the Essential Chords section of the website?

Ps do you do requests for any upcoming vids? Lol

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on March 31, 2014 at 3:23pm

Why I like 151.

It works for me because I like to play blues with a slide. For the same reason I reckon it works best for rock riffs too.

For slide you can't go past 151, having the tonic on top and the bottom is gold. You can regularly resolve your lines simply by playing open. The 5 in the middle means you can thicken up your sound without even meaning to. You've also got the two blues notes, b3 and b7, right there at the 3rd fret. Having the major third in the mix would regularly clash with the b3 in all of your blues and rock riffs.

It comes back again to what you want to do. Chords on an instrument that doesn't do that so well, hence the search for the golden tuning, or riffs on an instrument that is tailor made for it?

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Permalink Reply by jeff maurer on March 31, 2014 at 5:04pm

I don't know about chord charts for A E A, but I know there are charts for G D G. Its all the same. Just different names. G would be A, E would become F sharp. B would become C sharp, and D would become E. As far as requests go im always open to suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Scruggy on April 1, 2014 at 2:43am

cool thanks, how bout Accepts Balls To The Wall?

ps saw one of your fav songs is from Rollins Band, Im a huge fan also I met Henry Rollins twice when he did his spoken word in Ireland, got picture with him too ill try post it up! hes such an icon! such a pity he doesnt play anymore! real nice guy to meet though!

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