Tuning up a few steps on a B string

[El Bajo]

I've got an audition for a metal band and most of their songs are Drop D. I play a 6 string, at first I thought no worries as I have the D on the B but having listened to their demos they are very fast and riffy...so the question is would it really hurt my basses neck if I tune the B to a D???

I don't really want to tune the E to a D becasue that will confuse the hell out of me, though I guess I could get used to it with a bit of practice.

Thanks

[paul_5]

Erm, a bit. You'll probably need the truss rod tweaking a little bit to compensate for the extra tension that you've set up. There may also be some twist across the fingerboard as you've put extra pressure on one side and not the other.

If you need a low D and a low E string then I'd recommend getting a thicker 'E' string in place of your B (an extra 5 or 10 thou should do it), but then your nut might need some attention.

Hope this helps.

[chris_b]

You could use a capo.

[Doctor J]

Tune your B to A and your E to D. Copy their drop tuning, it's the simplest solution and you'll pick it up easily enough, much more so than if you have DEADGC.

Edited July 4, 2011 by Doctor J

[toneknob]

Or try DGCF tuning. It makes more sense than DADG.

[Doctor J]

No doubt they'll have a few riffs based around other open strings too, really the easiest thing here is to copy their tuning. Been down this road before, trust me, it's less grief in the long run to go with the flow here.

[El Bajo]

Yeah I will see what they say, and what tunings they are at, The guitarist even hinted that they may go lower, maybe I can influence them to keep going lower to B hehe.

Thanks

[Danimal]

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1291923' date='Jul 4 2011, 11:03 AM']Tune your B to A and your E to D. Copy their drop tuning, it's the simplest solution and you'll pick it up easily enough, much more so than if you have DEADGC.[/quote]

This, or

[quote name='toneknob' post='1291930' date='Jul 4 2011, 11:09 AM']Or try DGCF tuning. It makes more sense than DADG.[/quote]

this.

[Gust0o]

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1291923' date='Jul 4 2011, 11:03 AM']Tune your B to A and your E to D. Copy their drop tuning, it's the simplest solution and you'll pick it up easily enough, much more so than if you have DEADGC.[/quote]

I think this is more like it - simply tune the E to a D.

[El Bajo]

Got my audition tonight and have not learned one sing properly . Tried playing some songs last night with a dropped E string and its easier but if I want to move away and play something more adventurous I've no idea where I am anymore!!!! It should be interesting, and a little embarrassing.

If I don't get it I'll only have myslef to blame!!!

[chrismuzz]

I used to tune up my B to D for certain tunes. Never caused any issues but you might want to do a setup and get a lighter gauge string if you are keeping it that way for any extended period of time

[Doctor J]

[quote name='El Bajo' post='1293177' date='Jul 5 2011, 11:03 AM']Tried playing some songs last night with a dropped E string and its easier but if I want to move away and play something more adventurous I've no idea where I am anymore[/quote]
Maybe, since it's an audition, they just want you to stick to the facts and leave the adventurous stuff for if/when you've bedded in.

Most Metal bands are based around largely shadowing what the guitar is doing (not saying that's right or wrong, just saying), re-enforcing the rhythmic power of the riffs. There is scope to branch out and be adventurous but if you're not holding it down first then it will be noticed. Concentrate on being tight with the drums and playing powerfully first and flamboyant second. You shouldn't be purely just mimicking the rhythm guitar but, for an audition, that's where my starting point would be. Let them know you can nail it tight first, then show them how expressive you can be second. I could be miles off the mark but that's generally the gist of any metal situation I've been in.

[JTUK]

Rather defeats the object IMO..you have the B st so the D is covered..no need to bother messing around with anything else for an audition.

[Doctor J]

[quote name='JTUK' post='1293232' date='Jul 5 2011, 11:55 AM']Rather defeats the object IMO..you have the B st so the D is covered..no need to bother messing around with anything else for an audition.[/quote]
Many Metal riffs written in dropped D tuning are pretty unplayable if you try to fret the D on the B string. Even then, if you can find a way to play them, they'll sound awful if you can't work off the open string in the same way as the guitar.

[JTUK]

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1293246' date='Jul 5 2011, 12:04 PM']Many Metal riffs written in dropped D tuning are pretty unplayable if you try to fret the D on the B string. Even then, if you can find a way to play them, they'll sound awful if you can't work off the open string in the same way as the guitar.[/quote]


It is sop... the open string might be easier but you retune the whole bass for this...??
learn to fret it..it will good for you in the long run....
for those classic times when the Vox says he can't get that key anymore at that volume

A classic example here.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zcLdzwtzt4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zcLdzwtzt4...feature=related[/url]

taking most of the open strings out of it or certainly the hardest part of them

[Thurbs]

Why not use a cappo?

[Doctor J]

[quote name='JTUK' post='1293325' date='Jul 5 2011, 01:02 PM']It is sop... the open string might be easier but you retune the whole bass for this...??
learn to fret it..it will good for you in the long run....
for those classic times when the Vox says he can't get that key anymore at that volume

A classic example here.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zcLdzwtzt4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zcLdzwtzt4...feature=related[/url]

taking most of the open strings out of it or certainly the hardest part of them[/quote]
In any Metal band you're going to find yourself playing whatever the guitarists lowest open-string note is a lot, especially if they use a drop-D tuning. If you think it'd be easier to play a whole set with one finger permanently clamped to the third fret, that's admirable to put it mildly, but personally I'd just go with the flow and tune to match. Life's to short for tendonitis

I speak as someone who has been in this situation in the past

[Doctor J]

[quote name='Thurbs' post='1293327' date='Jul 5 2011, 01:03 PM']Why not use a cappo?[/quote]
Metal and a capo?

[El Bajo]

I've tried barring it on the 3rd fret but its just not clean (and it hurts) below is a link to some riffs the gutarist has got down as examples. Its just a bit to fast to play cleanly without an open D

[url="http://soundcloud.com/clownofthorns"]http://soundcloud.com/clownofthorns[/url]

[Blademan_98]

Buy a 4 string just for the metal

[El Bajo]

Thats what i'm thinking, just a budget one thats got good reviews such as a Squire or Yamaha. Lets see if I get the gig first

[Dave Vader]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Earls-Suspender-Capo-Your-Banjos-Fifth-String-/250773765691?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3a6347fe3b#ht_500wt_704"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Earls-Suspender-Capo...3b#ht_500wt_704[/url]

stick one of these round your neck on the 3rd fret. Unobtrusive, people won't see, and job's a good 'un.

[El Bajo]

Passed the audition without tuning down I think I might be able to get away without it and it may even make things more interesting, it might make me think of alternative riffs to play if I can't match the guitars...we will see. But for now I'm happy.