Jason - 9-21-2005 at 04:04 PM
I have found this tuning listed as C# F# B E A D and also listed the same but with C-half sharp and F-half sharp instead of a full sharp.
Does anyone here use this tuning? Do you reccomend it for a beginner?
I ask because I come from a background in double bass where all strings are a perfect fourth apart. It would be ideal to not have to relearn or
rethink scale 'shapes' when practicing the oud.
Any help or advice is appreciated.
Also, the only set of strings made for this tuning are the Aguila's, is this a good set?
paulO - 9-21-2005 at 04:41 PM
Hi Jason,
If you're used to all 4ths, and are just starting out, go for it. Having the extra range on the low strings is a cool thing. Joe Zeytoonian, and
Necati Celik use this tuning. I started with the EABEAD tuning, and had already been using it for 15 years before I heard of the all 4ths...I decided
not to convert over, because as a hobbyist, I just didn't have the time to put in to get comfortable with it. Necati Celik, Joe Zeytoonian, and
countless others use this tuning. For strings, you might also want to check out Hank Levin -- he sells a set that's set up for this tuning.
Lastly -- it's C# F# (regualr old plain sharps - not 1/2 sharps) it's the "all fourths" your looking for.
Good luck..PaulO
Jason - 9-21-2005 at 06:49 PM
I just placed an order with Haluk for a walnut-padauk oud. I am going to order an extra set of strings so I can begin playing with the fourths
tuning. After all these years getting yelled at for playing half flats on double bass I can have fun ha!
jazzchiss - 9-23-2005 at 01:09 AM
For me, the most practical tuning is this: E #F B E a d. The reason is that the sixth string, being simple, has a different tone from the others,
much more full, which makes it more apt for basses. In addition, when one is beginning to play without frets (as I do) it is advisable to have the
reference of the bass ones for not to lose yourself. If everything is tuned in fourths, it is easier to understand the instrument, but there are less
possibilities than the open sixth be part of the tonality.
Leaving the 6th a one tone of distance of the 5th:
if the tonic is the 5th, in 6th we have 7 minor,
if the tonic is the 4th, in 6th is the subdominant one,
if the tonic is the 3rd, in 6th we have the eighth,
if the tonic is the 2nd, in 6th we have the dominant...
That is to say, that almost always the open 6th will be pertinent.
(I hope my bad English will be comprehensible)