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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.

Contents 1 Standard tuning in most notable instruments 1.1 Bowed strings 1.2 Plucked strings 2 References 3 See also

[edit] Standard tuning in most notable instruments

[edit] Bowed strings

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

• Violin - G D A E (ascending perfect fifths, starting from G below middle C)
• Viola - C G D A (strings are tuned a perfect fifth below a violin's standard tuning)
• Cello - C G D A (an octave lower than the viola)
• Double bass - E A D G (ascending perfect fourths, where the highest sounding open string coincides with the G on a cello)
• 5-stringed double bass - C E A D G (the same, except for low C, which is a major third below the low E on a standard 4-string double bass)

The double bass is sometimes thought to belong in the viol family, for a number of reasons (see article). Even so, one can't name standard tunings for other viols, as their popularity and accessibility is much lesser than that of violins.

Another interesting issue is that of the members in a violin octet. Despite their low popularity, one may notice a very rigorous system of (fixed) tunings through all these violins.

[edit] Plucked strings

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) - E A D G B E (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. A common mnemonic for standard tuning is "Eddie ate dynamite; good-bye Eddie", "Eat Apples Daily, Grow Big Ears", or "Every animal deserves good breakfast everyday", which aids beginners in remembering the string tuning sequence from low to high. Ed Hamell has suggested "Every Acid Dealer Gets Busted, Eventually" as a more memorable alternative.
• 7-stringed guitar - B E A D G B E (identical, except for the low B, which is a perfect fourth below the low E on a 6-stringed guitar)
• 8-stringed guitar - F# B E A D G B E (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) - E A D G (its standard tuning coincides with that of a 4-stringed double bass)
• 6-stringed bass BEADGC (added major fourths).

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.

Other plucked string instruments, with their respective standard tunings, include:

• Mandolin - G D A E (its tuning is exactly the same with that of a violin)
• Mandola - C G D A (tuned like a viola)
• Banjo - G D G B D for bluegrass; old time and folk banjoists use this and a wide variety of other tunings.

[edit] References

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

[edit] See also

• List of guitar tunings
• Musical tuning
• Scordatura

v • d • e Guitar tunings General Standard tuning • DADGAD • All fourths • All fifths • New Standard Tuning • Hardcore tuning Downtuned E♭ tuning • D tuning • D♭ tuning • C tuning • B tuning • B♭ tuning Dropped Drop D • Drop D♭ • Drop C • Drop B • Drop B♭ • Drop A Open Open C • Open D • Open E • Open G