4 Great Tenor Guitar Tunings
Вставка
- Опубліковано 10 бер 2021
- I'm often asked about the tunings I use on tenor guitar, so here's a video that should be a good guide for anybody looking to experiment with these. The tunings in this video in order of appearance are as follows:
1. GDAE
2. GDAD
3. GDGD
4. GDGC
I am currently using the following string gauges in phosphor bronze: 14 - 24 - 32 - 42. Every instrument is different, but you may find that if you have very light strings on, this may effect how well these tunings work for you. Its also possible to adapt these to CGDA strung guitars by following the exact same steps that I mention in the video.
I love that AT-24. The Tenor Banjo can be tuned the same way (The Tenor Guitar is a Tenor Banjo neck on a Guitar body) but again it'll sound different. The Tenor Guitar was designed around the 1920s & 30s when Tenor Banjoists had to switch to Guitar cause it was the "Transition Period from Banjo to Guitar" and alot of people found out that the sound of the Banjo wasn't really a good fit for the new styles of Jazz Music. The way around that was to make Guitars tuned & played like Banjos, & luckilly the Tenor Guitar allowed Tenor Banjoists (such as you & me) to Double on Guitar w/ ease. I use GDAE Tuning for playing Jazz because it gives the Guitar a much deeper & mellower sound that's appropriate for it.
Good stuff Tom. More please!!
Thanks for this wonderful demonstration of different tunings and also the recommendation of the Clifford Essex strings. Just ordered some in the hope that some of your effortless magic rubs off on my sound 😊
Wonderful quick video Tom - thanks so much for sharing. Love the tone you pull out of that little box.
Thanks Adam!
Great video! Simple, straight to the point, I was able to figure out the tuning I wanted. Thank you!
Thanks for that Tom, the heavy gauge strings make all the difference in tone and your tone is the best I've heard. Love that tune Hardiman's Fancy, and thanks for all your videos,they are an inspiration
They really do, thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate it. And yes, brilliant tune, one of my favourite session tunes!
Really interesting video....nice playing! That guitar sounds great!
Thanks very much!
Many thanks from a DADGAD guitar player who just acquired a nice old tenor. Brilliant!
Beautiful concise explanation. Amazing the different atmosphere from one to the other, I might have to stray out of my standard tuning!
Cheers Simon!
Great video. Each tuning beautifully demonstrated.
Surprising how rarely one comes across a brilliant folk style musician demoing instruments.
Thanks very much, I appreciate that!
!!! Greetings from Montréal, Québec, Canada !!! Just bought myself a 'Barytone, Ukulele and am playing it in standard tunning soooo, very happy to have come accross your video to give me other opportunities to more soundings !!! I am registered to your page so i can follow you next adventures !!! Cheers !!!
Thanks for this video Tom! I've been playing with different tunings on my tenor lately and it's nice to see that we share some favourites (albeit, I'm in CGDA). I love the third tuning, especially for playing leads. The notes are all in the "right" place for my fingers. I've recently put mine in the second tuning and am loving it too, having that easy octave is great. I am definitely going to try out the fourth tuning you recommended, I've never considered further down tuning and am interested in seeing how it works for me. Thanks again! The tenor guitar is a wonderful instrument.
Thanks Ben! Completely agree, the last tuning is a new one for me too but worth having a go with. Let me know how you get on with it!
Thank you! This was a great quick resource.
Great video Tom, thanks for sharing 👍🏻
Thanks Toneranger!
well impressed!!! thanks for posting this
The heavier strings make a huge difference in the sound. To my ears, tenor guitars sound a bit "thin" but
I love the sounds you're getting. Beautiful playing.
This is great! And you have a lovely speaking voice. Grrats!
Lovely music in all 4.
You could also use GDAE Tuning for playingn Jazz like Elmer Snowden did because it's a much deeper & mellower sound than the traditional CGDA Tuning. I've played Jazz on a tenor Guitar tuned GDAE at Mandarin High School, plugged it into a Guitar amp & got an epic Jazz tone.
Thanks for this! Really helpful guide. Would love a tutorial on Red Prairie Dawn if you ever might feel like doing one!
Great idea, I’ll definitely consider that
Hiya Tom, thanks very much for a great video, from a new subscriber in Lancashire.
that was awesome! great playing! I just wanted to hear you go on! alas!
Thanks! I play a couple of these tunes in other videos on the channel so you should be able to find them!
Wonderful! Thank you.
Thanks Tom, I've been playing a Baritone uke so would love to one day hear the sound produced with a Tenor restrung and tuned D G B E, cheers
I’ll let you know if I try it!
Nice video. I oftent tune my tenor banjo in GDAE, GDAD, GDGD, ADAD,. I think ADAD is very interesant for medieval and irish music? Sometimes i use Ddad. With Ddad you could have a very nice drone effect that can be useful if you play with a hurdy gurdy or a ulean pipes
🙏👍good work. Thanks 🌞
Now I want a tenor guitar!
Great video, that's an excellent overview of those tunings. I was curious which brand of tenor guitar you're playing. I haven't seen one quite like that before.
Thanks! It’s an Ashbury AT-24
I'll throw a wrench in the conversation. Guadalupe makes a GCEA set of strings that is one octave lower than standard ukulele tuning and linear rather than re-entrant. I use them on my Pono BIG baritone and they sound amazing. Anyway, very cool video, thank you for sharing and giving me more ideas as well as other ways to play. prost.
I found. video with a kala tenor and those strings. Also the full name of my pono is a Nui Baritone. Here's the video for you. Prost ua-cam.com/video/0d-zlHYB6_E/v-deo.html
good work. thanks from philadelphia
Thanks Robert!
1 is awesome and great for bass range vocalists
A lot of uke players, especially baritone ukers, are moving up to a tenor guitar. gCEA or GCEA have always been an alternative tuning. Wish I could hear more demos of it.
They make string sets for it
Haha baritone uker here intesrested in trying other 4 stringed instruments
Danke Tom.
Nice video!
I use CGda as standard but spend a lot of time in CGcg. I have an old Harmony that sounds best tuned BEbe.
Tenor guitars are inspirational (4 strings, 4 fingers).
I need to try out some of these other tunings, I have a set of strings for CGDA so will string my other tenor up for that soon!
Have to try BEbe on my 59 Harmony Monterey arch top (my grandfather's guitar, made a few months before I was born.)
Hi tom that was great, wondered if i could tune the tenor guitar to the dulcimer tuning D A D D obviously the third string on a dulcimer or strum stick is double course, so i woundered if it would be like a chromatic dulcimer what do you think let me know
Just my 5 cent:I use the middle 4 strings from a GHS silk&bronze set for B/FIS/b/fis.-Works for me,you have 3 wound and nice tension without overstressing the instrument.
Tenors are GREAT!!!
Great idea, I've done the same with a set of D'addario medium phosphor bronze guitar strings, but would use the top E rather than B string for my E
Oh my...tenors are great for experiments:Different tunings ,different strings,changing the setup,it all affects the way you play,world of wonders... ;-)
Will try that 'e' for a 'b' when there's time for a change.Thank you@
Nice Tom....really enjoyed hearing how alternate tunings can make such a difference. What microphone are you using to record your videos?...very warm sounding
Thanks! It’s a Tbone SC600 in this video. Not an expensive mic by any means but it sounds great and it’s one I leave set up almost all the time in case I need to record something.
I think people get so wrapped up in tone woods when it comes to the sound quality of a guitar but the type of strings can make or break an instrument just as easily in my opinion and those sounds great.
Completely agree!
Can you do a video teaching chords for GDAE or GDAD?
Hi, thanks for the interesting video, I have an Ashbury guitar identical to yours, bought on Amazon, can you tell me which guitar string gauges do you use? Thank you!
Excellent. Could you recommend a mid price ‘off the shelf’ set of strings light/medium gauge for GDAE tuning available in the UK? Or specify the individual string gauges for GDAE light gauge? Thank you
Absolutely, get yourself some Clifford Essex strings. They do all sorts of gauges and types cliffordessex.com/product-category/guitar-strings
Some lovely snatches of tunes in there man, really nice! Can you name some?!
The first is Hardiman's Fancy, the second tune I always forget but I'll try and find out for you. The third is one of mine you can hear here: ua-cam.com/video/B51dwvbkc6E/v-deo.html The fourth is another tune of mine but I've not done anything with it yet!
How about EbBbFC which is GDAE but down a Major Third
What string sizes do you use on that mandolin tuning ... I just bought my first tenor guitar. I'm a mandolin player. So I'm going to want the g d a e tuning. And this guitar has two light of strings on it. So I'm going to have to restring it. And I needed an idea where to start.
Could you let me know what the model name is for your tenor guitar? Thank you :)
Ps im interested in learning the Mandolin notice you play that and banjo do you teach online
I have a baritone uke. How does a tenor guitar should with DGBE tuning?
I love it but do you need to learn all different chords each tuning
Hey Tom, great sound. Just wondering which scale length your tenor is? I’m probably going to pick up a tenor with a 23” scale length and I’d like it to sound just like yours. Wondering if those same gauge strings would work for it. Thanks for the video
Thanks Matt, mine is just short of 23” so all the string gauges should work just fine for yours. You could probably get away with slightly lighter strings too, if you felt like it, but heavier strings definitely respond better to alternate tunings that involve lowering the pitch.
And what brand is your tenor guitar Tom?
please share what brand and guage of strings you are using i think everyone would like to know. thanks
what is the make and model of the guitar you are using. i want to move to a tenor but the nut width is so much narrower than my Ukulele. does anyone make a Tenor G with a nut width as wide or almost as wide as a Ukulele? anyone?
It's an Ashbury AT-24. This has a pretty wide nut width, so I reckon you'd be okay. I actually find this a little too wide
Thank you for this really helpful video! By the way, that’s a beautiful guitar… what make and model is it?
It's an Ashbury AT-24!
@@tomkimbermusic Thank you!
Thank you for the interested video. !
Does exist one method for GDGD ?
There's not much about GDGD tuning available, but I'll do a video at some point!
@@tomkimbermusic ... Thank You very much by advance Tom !... Because nothing exists on those SawMill tunings...
Very green. Little hard to hear all for sure. So, CGDA, GDAD, GDAE, and CDGD?
I have been thinking of getting a Paul Brett tenor guitar and was wondering what strings you use on your tenor guitar .🤩👍
I use D'addario phosphor bronze in gauges .13 .22 .32 .44 mostly. I often change this though, hope that helps!
@@tomkimbermusic Thanks for getting back to me Tom , I didn't know if the normal tenor guitar stings would accomodate the G tunings. Thank for the advice. Hope you put more Tenor guitar tunes, there inspirational.🤩👍.
I’m just getting started with a tenor guitar and the A string breaks with CGDA. The strings seem very tight. Is there a tuning I can use where I am not breaking strings?
Sounds like you might have the wrong gauge strings for the tuning. In this video I’m using heavier strings so wouldn’t be able to tune to CGDA without changing to a lighter set. Try tuning down to GDAE, all the intervals between the strings, and therefore the shapes and petterns, are the same as CGDA.
I love the sound of this tenor guitar and have been looking for one with a wider neck. How wide is the neck and what brand is it?
I think it’s an Ashbury AT-24. Tom makes it sound great, and they are not *too* expensive.
Hi Tom, thank you for this video! Do you think it would be possible to tune it like a Ukulele in GCEA with the same set of strings that you are using? Did you ever try? Cheers from Germany!
Hi Klaus. I wouldn’t use the same strings as here because I think the top two strings (A and E) would struggle with being dropped down that amount (there would be some fret buzz etc). It would definitely be worth trying with some heavier strings on the too two though, or a set of baritone ukulele strings
@@tomkimbermusic Thank you! Unfortunately I will have to wait till September all Ashburys are sold out due to corona. I would like to contact you for zoom lessons then. I am interested in blues and jazz and singer songwriter stuff but we can talk about this if it gets real.
Du kannst nicht das machen mit 14 - 24 - 32 - 42. Ich habe das anderes gemacht : ein ukulele wie eine mandoline eigesteckt. Das pass gut mit steel (12- 18- 24-32) Tchuss von Brest.
What’s the name of the song/style of the first tune in the mandolin tuning
so which tuning can you recommend, i play in the church band and currently i tuned it to gdae but they said that they cant hear my playing
The tuning won’t effect your volume so stick with GDAE, you could try using a thicker pick or an amplifier, or try a tenor banjo!
I play a eukelle so how can I tune a tenor guitar to gcea
Who made your tenor guitar? - nice tone.
Thank you Tom. Really helpful. I’ve emailed you for a summary of the 4 tunings. Would be really useful to have them written down as I’m about to start with a new tenor guitar. 👍
What tuning would you recommend for a novice starting out on tenor? I have vast experience as a bassist so i know a bit about music.I love the sound of tenor guitar.
I'd start with GDAE or CGDA, depending on what sort of music you fancy playing
@@tomkimbermusic I'll try both, thanks.
Little confused as to why DGBE isn't mentioned. I've read that it is one of the more common tunings for tenor guitar, and it is the same as the ukulele and top 4 strings of guitar.
Tom Kimber Can you play some Violin pieces in GDAE Tuning? It's versatile.
Yes, theoretically most things that can be played on Violin can be played on a tenor in GDAE tuning. The scale length would certainly make some pieces a lot harder though!
@@tomkimbermusic It would require some practice but it's eaiser to play in tune on the Tenor Guitar cause it has frets & you get to use a pick
@@tomkimbermusic Actually anything written for Violin can be played on a Tenor Guitar tuned the same way, of course all of the alternative Violin Tunings will be the same for Tenor Guitar just down an Octave.
@@tomkimbermusic The Tenor Guitar scale length is shorter than a 6 String Guitar which might make things alot easier.
Can you share the string gauges for the GDAE tuning your using? Thanks
.13 .22 .32 .44 should do it on most tenors. You can go heavier though
Is that a Ashbury AT-24 Tenor your using? Can I ask what other tenor guitars you play?
Hallo from Lake Constance.....I just like to thank you for this little Marvel !! ;) So much Stuff here, it was not easy to find you..!.Meanwhile i tuned my Guitars ,Banjo, (5string) and the OktaveMandoline down, or in the 4 Tunes, from your Video....but i started with low D or even C...;) My Furch ,,little Jane'' ' Travel Guitar have got now only 4 Strings.....So i realy have to ask you one Question please ?!...I can not find in Germany any bigger Selection of good Tenor Guitars..;(( ....could just found one, or two in the ,,ThomannShop...But i can not feel any good Vibrationen with only this very tiny Options..So please can you tell me the Secret of ,, How to find a good Quality Instrument ...( your Tenor look so shy but beautiful at the same Time ;))
Thank you for all this;).................( Now i know about the Hobgoblin House ;)))))
Thanks very much Dirk! It can definitely be hard to find tenor guitars and they barely seem to ever come up second hand too. If you can get hold of an Ashbury to try, I’d definitely recommend them as an owner of one. The blueridge tenor guitars are quite good too if you can find one. I’d always recommend trying an instrument first unless it’s being commissioned for you by a maker you really trust. I’d also check out the hobgoblin website as they might be able to ship one to you. Let me know how you get on in your search!
@@tomkimbermusic Hi and Thanks for your Answer ;)...I will try at the Hobgoblin House first...and let you know ;)....I have seen the Blueridge Tenors, but this pure Folkstyle with the Celtic Loop you 've got....is the best looking Tenor Guitar so far...( at this Pricepoint...+/- ;)
Where did you get your tenor guitar?! I love the sound!
From Hobgoblin music!
@@tomkimbermusic Thank you so much!
What Guitar brand is this? Is there a link to it?
What strings are you using for GDAE?
for CGDA tuning, here's what I got (for anyone who doesn't want to figure it out)
C G D A
C G D G
C G C G
C G C F
essentially, drop the high string one full step; drop it again; drop the second highest one step, then the highest again.
What brand is your tenor guitar?
I'm doing research on tenor guitars every year and this is the first time I found proper video about tuning. Thank you!
I'm planning to build one of these things. What scale lenght is your tenor guitar?
Cheers Artur, glad you found it useful. I think this is 58cm scale (22.5 inches roughly)
@@tomkimbermusic Would you please Share your setup with us? What Stringsize and what kind of strings do you use? And what guitar is it exactly? Thanks for your help in learning tenor guitar, there is not a lot stuff out here for that and your help is much appreciated!
@@kd_kissed thanks Klaus! I’ve tried various different string manufacturers and occasionally experiment with diameters. Clifford Essex make some good tenor guitar sets. I also like to use Phosphor Bronze D’Addario single guitar strings and in this video I’m using .13 .22 .32 .42mm. It’s an Ashbury tenor guitar too. Hope this helps!
@@tomkimbermusic Thank you! I will go with the DˋA when I can lay my hands on an Ashbury. Your sound is just awesome!
Wow! Can you show that to me one more time?
Just dropping by. What microphone are you using in the video? I appreciate your time.
It’s a golden age large diaphragm condenser. Hope this helps!
@@tomkimbermusic Thank You.
Hey mate! What is the model of that wonderful tenor guitar?
It’s an Ashbury!
@@tomkimbermusic thx 🙏
I drop all 4 Tunings down a half step because it'll make the high notes eaiser on my voice.
What octave should I be in . Sorry I’m a boob and having trouble tuning my guitar .
An octave lower than mandolin. That's the octave below A 440hz
Didn't realise you are probably British. Are you based in or around London for lessons? I used to play guitar but want to try mandolin and tenor guitar. Mandolin not going as well!
Unfortunately I live up north! I do offer Skype lessons though if you're interested
I tried to switch my tuning and busted my strings. 🤦♀️ How do you not bust your strings when switching to different tunings? Is this only affective if you have heavier strings?
How old were your strings? Sometimes if you’ve had the same set on for quite a while and they’ve been at the same tuning, that could increase your chances of a break if you’re trying an alternate tuning. Also check there’s not any sharp edges at the nut or bridge as this could cause a break. I tend to tune down from the ‘standard’ for my set, rather than up. So if I wanted AEAE but the instrument was tuned GDAE, I’d tune the top two strings down a tone and then capo 2. Hope this helps?
hey Tom is that guitar the - All solid sapele top?
That’s the one!
What is this particular instrument??
You really seem to know the tenor well - can I just remove the E & A strings from my guitar and experiment with the chords you demonstrated or am I wasting my time?
I’m sorry if I come across as dumb but I’ve never considered myself as a musician. I’m more of a hacker. I have been playing a tenor guitar tuned CGDA for 50 years and never took a lesson. I’ve stuck to hacking out 3 chord progression songs. Shows you the kind of musician I am. What my question is, with all of these various tunings, don’t you need to learn new chord shapes for each one? I mean, my little brain has memorized the CGDA shapes, and I’m not sure I can handle memorizing new ones without inadvertently reverting back to that which I’ve had for 50 years. Is there different chord shapes for each of these tunings?
You do need to learn new chord shapes, but GDAE and GDAD are very similar. I usually convert my GDAE shapes by leaving the D open for some things, which gives it a bit more of an open sound. The others do require different shapes unfortunately, but they're all fairly simple in the open tunings.
I play rock and roll, so I tend to srick with "Chicago" tuning. (E, B, G, D)
Need to try that one
John Pearse 450 Tenor Guitar Strings are fantastic for these tunings. The Nitty Gritty Jazz Band uses GDAE Tuning on the Tenor Guitar & Tenor Banjo because it allows them to get a much deeper & mellower sound that's suitable for that Music, & a much bigger musical range that's comprable to a 6 String Guitar only that you're missing 3 of the lowest notes (F#2, F2, E2).
Would you please tell me the diameter of your strings?
Sure Bill, at the moment I’ve got .12 .22 .32 .44 on, phosphor bronze. Experimenting by going up or down in the ballpark of all of these won’t do any harm. For example, I’ve used .11-.14 on the top string with no issues, just a matter of personal preference.
Great demo, Tom. No DGBE?
Thanks Corrie! I’d have to restring, one to try in future though!
Nobody ADGB ?
I've never tried GDGC gadnabbit. *grabs the tenor*.... I did try GDAB once. I think I got away with it. Sounded cool on my electric anyway.
Give it a bash Rob! It's a new one to me too
@@tomkimbermusic I bought the old Martin (to go with the really posh one) for extra tuning options in C or G... but on the other hand, the tenor herd is now too big with the two electrics in the mix. Think I have a problem.... 😂
@@LordoftheBadgers you can never have too many!
@@tomkimbermusic our house argues with you LOL
Just my opinion, but mahogany is a perfect top wood for a tenor guitar!
It does sound great!
"...this may Affect how well these tunings work for you." An English teacher's job is never done.😉
@@psst...heyyou6508 I wrote capital A to show where the spelling error is. Why not write 's?