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So I'm trying to play More Than Words but it says to tune strings 1/2 step down. I read that I have to tune to Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb on the guitar tuner. I can get the top (6th string) to read Eb, but for other strings, it seems to just skip from previous note straight to next note.

For example, if I was tuning 5th string to Ab, it would either be Gb - A - B#. Like there's no Ab or A#...any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

2007-07-13 16:15:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities Performing Arts

10 answers

You would be better off with a chromatic tuner for something like this. The advice you got about tuning to the fifth fret (with the exception of fourth fret from the third to second string) is sound, but there is another way that is a bit more accurate.

B# by the way is the enharmonic tone of C natural, not Ab.

tune your sixth and first string to Eb

Now tune the rest of your strings down one half step by tuning your second string to the top string at the fifth fret

Tune your third string to the top string at the ninth fret

Tune your fourth string to the top string at the second fret (the second string will sound the same pitch one octave down)

Tune your fifth string to the first string at the 7th fret

Your sixth string is already tuned to Eb, but you can check it against the other strings. This is called octave tuning and it is a bit more precise, although it is usually done at the third or fourth ( or the most stable ) string.

Alternatively, you could just ignore the instructions altogether and play the silly thing in E major. If you can sing it in E major, you ought to be able to play it in E major as well. If E major is too high for you, you ought to drop it down to D major or even C major. That would mean learning a different chord pattern, but that's a whole lot easier than trying to tune your guitar down to a flat key. Your goal should be to play this song in your vocal range, not theirs. If there's anything more I can do for you, give me a shout. Hope this helps.

2007-07-13 17:05:04 · answer #1 · answered by MUDD 7 · 1 0

Alright, try this. Tune the low E to Eb, tune the high E to Eb... Now with your finger on the 5th fret of the low E, pick the E string then the Open A string. Tune the A string down until the tone matches perfectly to the top string. Do the same with your finger on the A string and the D string. On the G string put your finger on the 4th fret to tune the B string down 1/2 step, and put it back on the 5th fret of the B string-compared to the open high E just to make sure your tuning wasn't too sharp or flat. Hope that helps.

If you want to get the pitch more accurate though I'd suggest using harmonics.. I'll explain how to do that if you'd like.

2007-07-13 16:21:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

You didn't mention whether you're looking at standard musical notation or "tablature." If it's tablature, I can't help you. I play guitar, but I use the standard notation --- treble clef with chord designations above.

A lot of commercial sheet music is transcribed by piano players (God bless 'em) who assume that a guitar must be retuned in order to play in certain keys. Figure out what key the tune actually is in, then ignore the instructions about alternate tuning. The transcriber knows More Than Words, but you probably know more about the guitar.

If you're playing this in a band with horn players, they like the so called flat keys, e.q. Eb, Bb, etc. It helps to learn how to play tunes in these keys without changing the guitar's standard tuning. You have to use a lot of barre chords, but it is possible.

You didn't mention the key signature on the sheet music you're reading. Sounds like maybe Eb or Ab.

If you're playing alone, another solution is to simply transcribe the whole tune into another key that's easier for a guitar player. If the tune is notated in Eb, then transcribe up to E or down to D. If it's in Ab, transcribe it up to A or down to G. Just remember that only really good horn or reed players will be able to follow you on this.

2007-07-14 10:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by BanquoDangerfield 2 · 0 0

More Than Words Guitar

2016-09-30 00:12:45 · answer #4 · answered by jordana 4 · 0 0

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OK...everyone is trying to make it more difficult that it needs to be. Here are the easiest steps to doing it. Using a tuner.... hold each string down on the first fret while tuning that string. That's all it takes... and voila... you are down that half step

2016-04-05 08:00:21 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 1 0

It sounds like you have a chromatic tuner since it read the Eb - so try turning the peg more slowly - it shouldn't jump from Gb to A without registering the G unless you're going too fast.

2007-07-14 04:46:31 · answer #6 · answered by PJH 5 · 0 0

In that case, try to get the tuner to read really low on the normal note, or really high on the note down.

2007-07-13 18:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by jordanwj19 2 · 0 0

tune the 6th string down and do the thing where u fret 5th tring and play the 5th string open and match them sounds

2007-07-13 16:19:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I'm assuming you don't have a tuning device such as a fork, so this is the best advice I can offer. It sounds complicated but it's not: First of all, you need your guitar tuned in standard (normal) tuning, i.e., E, A, D, G, B, E. If it isn't already (and you have no other means of tuning it) then you're buggered, frankly. If it is tuned normally, then here goes: Gradually downtune the sixth (low E) string, keeping a finger placed on the sixth fret of this string. When the sound produced corresponds with the sound of the fifth (A) string being plucked open (unfretted), you are ready to begin properly. When the sounds of the fifth and sixth (fingered at the sixth fret) sound the same, as described as above, place a finger on the FIFTH fret of the SIXTH string, and downtune the fifth string until the two sounds again correspond. You should now be hearing an A flat/G#. When you have achieved this, place a finger on the FIFTH fret of the FIFTH string, and downtune the FOURTH (D) string until, again, the sounds correspond. Keep repeating the above steps, working your way down the strings as you look at them from above. HOWEVER: There is an exception to this rule. When tuning the second (B) string, you need to place a finger on the FOURTH (as opposed to the fifth) fret of the THIRD (G) string to achieve a matching sound (I won't bother explaining why, this is hard enough to put into words as it is!). As somebody else mentioned, your guitar should now be tuned thus: Eb, Ab. Db, Gb , Bb, Eb. It is a nice tuning to play in, it opens up so many possibilities. Using a capo at the first fret, for example, brings the guitar back to standard tuning. However, I strongly recommend that you buy yourself an electric tuner until you are more familiar with the guitar, particularly the musical notes. Hope this helps, happy playing!

2016-03-15 03:45:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

unless i have mistaken what you have said - B# is Ab.

2007-07-13 16:20:46 · answer #10 · answered by MJR 5 · 1 1

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