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what is a diatonic scale? kids CBG

Posted by Mungo Park on March 4, 2010 at 2:59pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
I built my first CBG with a 24" scale. It is great, now I want to build something small for my kids.
 I have read a thread suggesting a 15 or 17" scale and a dulicmer scale but somebody mentioned a
diatonic scale as even simpler.
 What is is and what strings/tuning would you use on it.
 Thought I would ask before I get to much cutting up done.
                                    Cheers Ron.

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Replies

  • Diane in Chicago March 5, 2010 at 10:31pm
    And if you tune in C it is easier to play with any old keyboard you've got in the house.

    Larry McInnes said:
    Hey Mungo. I'm building three kids' cbgs at once (this is my second guitar project). I made the neck a 3/4 scale, which basically means they're about 19 1/2 inches. I'm going to be setting the frets just for the major scale. I figure that'll let the kids noodle around with them and still make nice sounds without them getting frustrated. I'm also going to set the tuning at CGC since that makes the strings quite a bit softer for the young fingers. Using classical strings is a great idea.
  • Larry McInnes March 5, 2010 at 10:03pm
    Hey Mungo. I'm building three kids' cbgs at once (this is my second guitar project). I made the neck a 3/4 scale, which basically means they're about 19 1/2 inches. I'm going to be setting the frets just for the major scale. I figure that'll let the kids noodle around with them and still make nice sounds without them getting frustrated. I'm also going to set the tuning at CGC since that makes the strings quite a bit softer for the young fingers. Using classical strings is a great idea.
  • The Phrygian Kid March 5, 2010 at 9:14pm
    Mungo Park said:
    OK Im hooked Mate, you must be from one of the pink bits form the old British Empire.
    .

    hahahahaha

    listen to those other two.. do you really want to be thinking 'hmm that might work on a guitar' everytime you empty the dishwasher for the rest of your life?? :D

    Just join the robot consumer flock and get em another x-box huh..

    one more thing.. I'd consider using classical guitar strings rather than steel.. they're much gentler on beginner fingers, and last longer too..
  • Mungo Park March 5, 2010 at 7:25pm
    Well yes I will start down this road and drop bread crumbs and wood shavings as I go just in case, might have a few more questions though.
    Thanky you Diane for going over this for me.
    Cheers Ron.
  • Diane in Chicago March 5, 2010 at 7:00pm
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/dulciworld/forum/topics/fret-sp...

    But I agree with Lowe. Be sure you want to go down this road.
  • Old Lowe March 5, 2010 at 5:29pm
    Don't do it!

    I made my first one and now I have a house full of them!
  • Mungo Park March 5, 2010 at 4:04pm
    OK Im hooked Mate, you must be from one of the pink bits form the old British Empire.
    So if the small one say 17" scale, length, bridge to nut, with the 7 frets I would get 0,2,4,5,7,9,11,12 giving 7 frets, not counting the zero. If that is right I think I understand it.
    The bigger one would 20" scale do it, but still use the dulicemer frets, and useing the lower strings form the same pack to tune it to say, GDg?
    Sorry to be a little slow on the uptake on this one, now that you have drawn me into this you can't set me free just yet.
    Cheers Ron, from one of the other pink bits.
  • The Phrygian Kid March 5, 2010 at 1:50pm
    Yeah mate, i think so..
    say you take the heavy (wound) half first and aim to tune to G..
    so only a few frets shorter than a typical guitar scale..

    then, for the other 'soprano' box, aim for seven frets shorter than the first, that puts you into the scale lengths Di does, kinda uke or mando size..
    the fourth difference in the intended note for the string, plus the seven fret (or perfect fifth) difference in scale, puts this box exactly two octaves above its big brother from the same set of strings..

    it means chords or scales are uniform too, so you teach the kids the same... so big brother can do big brother stuff and help teach in time too ;)

    come to think on it.. you really needa to a bass one an octave lower again for urself now dont u ??
  • Mungo Park March 5, 2010 at 1:01pm
    Well now their is a better idea, and it wll also get me a little deeper into understanding how this all works. Thanks for the idea Jef. I will hop over to Diane's page. Being a nubie all this is new stuff and great for me to learn new things.
    Cheers Ron.
  • The Phrygian Kid March 5, 2010 at 10:26am
    Diane in Chicago is your lady..

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Diane?xg_source=profiles_frie...

    take a good look at her pictures, maybe ask her a couple of questions. She's real friendly and helpful..
    also, have a good look through the strumstick website, this is pretty much what you're looking at..

    http://www.strumstick.com/

    I'd personally look at two 3 stringers, but different sizes and scale lengths etc.. maybe try to cover both with one set of guitar stings and give the kids half the register each, so the sticks sound good together.. (aim for the same key obviously)
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