All fourths | |
---|---|
Basic information | |
Aliases | Perfect-fourths tuning |
Interval | Perfect fourth |
Semitones | 5 |
Example(s) | E-A-D-G-C-F |
Advanced information | |
Other instruments | Bass guitar |
Repetition | No |
Advantages | Closely approximates standard tuning |
Disadvantages | Difficult to play conventional music, especially barre chords |
Left-handed tuning | All-fifths tuning |
Associated musician | |
Guitarist |
Stanley Jordan Alex Hutchings Tom Quayle |
Jazz musician Stanley Jordan stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical". | |
Regular tunings ( semitones) | |
Trivial ( 0) | |
Minor thirds ( 3) | |
Major thirds ( 4) | |
All fourths ( 5) | |
Augmented fourths ( 6) | |
New standard ( 7, 3) | |
All fifths ( 7) | |
Minor sixths ( 8) | |
Guitar tunings |
Among alternative tunings for the guitar, all-fourths tuning is a regular tuning. [1] In contrast, the standard tuning has one irregularity—a major third between the third and second strings—while having perfect fourths between the other successive strings. [2] [3] The standard tuning's irregular major-third is replaced by a perfect fourth in all-fourths tuning, which has the open notes E2-A2-D3-G3-C4-F4. [1] [4]
Among regular tunings, this all-fourths tuning best approximates the standard tuning. [5]
In all guitar tunings, the higher-octave version of a chord can be found by translating a chord by twelve frets higher along the fretboard. [6] In every regular tuning, for example in all-fourths tuning, chords and intervals can be moved also diagonally. For all-fourths tuning, all twelve major chords (in the first or open positions) are generated by two chords, the open F major chord and the D major chord. The regularity of chord-patterns reduces the number of finger positions that need to be memorized. [1] Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical". [7]
Among all regular tunings, all-fourths tuning E-A-D-G-C-F is the best approximation of standard tuning, which is more popular. All-fourths tuning is traditionally used for the bass guitar; [5] it is also used for the bajo sexto. [8]
Allan Holdsworth stated that if he were to learn the guitar again he would tune it in all-fourths. [9] [10]
All-fourths tuning is closely related to all-fifths tuning. All-fourths tuning is based on the perfect fourth (five semitones), and all-fifths tuning is based on the perfect fifth (seven semitones). The perfect-fifth and perfect-fourth intervals are inversions of one another, and the chords of all-fourth and all-fifths are paired as inverted chords. Consequently, chord charts for all-fifths tunings may be used for left-handed all-fourths tuning. [11]
Sethares, Bill (2001). "Regular tunings". Alternate tuning guide (PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin; Department of Electrical Engineering. pp. 52–67. 2010 Alternate tuning guide, including a revised chapter on regular tunings. Retrieved 19 May 2012.