Standard tuning

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In music, standard tuning refers to the typical tuning of a string instrument. This notion is contrary to that of scordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either the timbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.

Standard tuning in most notable instruments

Bowed strings

The most popular bowed strings used nowadays belong to the violin family; together with their respective standard tunings, they are:

  • Violin - G3 D4 A4 E5 (ascending perfect fifths, starting from G below middle C)
  • Viola - C3 G3 D4 A4 (strings are tuned a perfect fifth below a violin's standard tuning)
  • Cello - C2 G2 D3 A3 (an octave lower than the viola)
  • Double bass - E1 A1 D2 G2 (ascending perfect fourths, where the highest sounding open string coincides with the G on a cello).
  • Double bass with a low C extension - C1 E1 A1 D2 G2 (the same, except for low C, which is a major third below the low E on a standard 4-string double bass)
  • 5-stringed double bass - B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 (an extra low B is added)

The double bass is properly the contrabass member of the viol family. Its smaller members are tuned in ascending fourths, with a major third in the middle, as follows:

  • Treble viol - D3 G3 C4 E4 A4 D5
  • Tenor viol - G3 C4 F4 A5 D5 G5 (strings are tuned a perfect fourth below the treble viol)
  • Bass viol - D2 G2 C3 E3 A3 D4 (an octave lower than the treble viol)
  • 7-stringed bass viol - A1 D2 G2 C3 E3 A3 D4 (an extra low A is added)

A more recent family is the violin octet, which also features a standardized tuning system (see page).

Plucked strings

Guitar standard tuning.
D/F♯ slash chord  Play (help·info).

Standard tunings in plucked string instruments cover many different instruments which are plucked either by the fingers or with a plectrum. Guitars and bass guitars have more standard tunings, depending on the number of strings an instrument has:

  • 6-stringed guitar (most popular) - E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (ascending perfect fourths, with an exception between G and B, which is a major third. Low E falls a major third above the C on a standard tuned cello.

Guitar notation is an octave above the actual note, so Middle C (C4) in guitar notation is the third space on the treble cleft, whereas the note written as one line below the treble clef is C3.

  • 7-stringed guitar - B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (identical, except for the low B, which is a perfect fourth below the low E on a 6-stringed guitar)
  • 8-stringed guitar - F#1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (identical to the 7-stringed guitar, with the addition of a low F# string a perfect fourth below the low B)
  • 4-stringed bass guitar (most popular) - E1 A1 D2 G2 (its standard tuning coincides with that of a 4-stringed double bass)
  • 5-stringed bass - B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 (identical to 4-stringed bass with the addition of a low B string a perfect fourth below the E).
  • 6-stringed bass - B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 (identical to 5-stringed bass with the addition of a high C string a perfect fourth above the G).
  • Baritone (older use) / 6 string bass (older use) such as the Fender Bass VI - E1 A1 D2 G2 B2 E3 (like a standard guitar but an octave lower, and often played like a standard guitar rather than a bass guitar.
  • Baritone guitar (contemporary versions)- B1 E2 A2 D3 F#3 B3 a fourth below standard tuning, although A1 to A3; a fifth lower is also used.
  • 12-string guitar E3 E2 A3 A2 D4 D3 G4 G3 B3 B3 E4 E4 where pairs are played 'as one string'

The exception (major third instead of a fourth) in a guitar's standard tuning is to be explained by overtones and the tendency of thinner strings to vibrate sympathetically with the low strings.

In standard notation, the guitar sounds one octave lower than it is written. This is to avoid switching between treble and bass clef, or using ledger lines or 8vb, since it is very common to play past the 12th fret on the E string(E5) and drop down to lower open string notes. This is also more practical for the whole playing range of E2-C#6 (on a 21-fret guitar), as it can fit easily into the treble clef when written as E3-C#7.

Other plucked string instruments and their respective standard tunings include:

  • Prim Balalaika : E4 E4 A5 (the two identical Es are on strings of different gauges)
  • Mandolin: G3 D4 A4 E5 (same as standard violin tuning)
  • Mandola: C3 G3 D4 A4 (same as standard viola tuning)
  • Five-stringed banjo: G4 D3 G3 B3 D4 for bluegrass; old time and folk banjoists use this and a wide variety of other tunings
  • Soprano Ukulele: G4 C4 E4 A4 (C6) and A4 D4 F#4 B4
  • Requinto Jarocho: C3 D3 G3 C4 (G string tuned the same as a guitar's).

References

  • Oprea, Gheorghe (2002). Folclor muzical românesc. Bucharest: Editura Muzicală. pp. 102–105. ISBN 973-42-0304-5. OCLC 254864734. 

See also

List * Category
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