Benefits of Fourths Tuning

ittoa666 · 09-18-2010, 05:03 PM

Title really says it all. After watching Tom Quayle play, it got me curious as to how this tuning could be beneficial.

Maniacal · 09-18-2010, 05:10 PM

Its quite obvious why it is beneficial. Its just really difficult to get used to when you have been playing for ages.

Hollowway · 09-19-2010, 01:11 AM

Yeah, that's why I don't want to change. Plus, you can kiss goodbye all the covers you've ever learned. Personally, I think it would be cool if you were just learning to just start that way, but oh well. Little late for me!

Waelstrum · 09-19-2010, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollowway

Yeah, that's why I don't want to change. Plus, you can kiss goodbye all the covers you've ever learned. Personally, I think it would be cool if you were just learning to just start that way, but oh well. Little late for me!

I switched after only a few months

It's really good, I hated the inconsistency of standard. I do still know some of the basic chords in standard as all fourths makes six+ string chords a little harder. I'm trying to increase my chord chops at the moment though, as it makes single line melodies a push-over (comparatively).

distressed_romeo · 09-19-2010, 07:15 AM

I've always liked the idea of fourths, but given it took me so long to get used to that pesky maj3rd, I don't think I'd really gain much by switching.

The main thing I can see it being beneficial is exploring harmony if you're into jazz guitar, as it'll drastically cut down the number of fingerings you need to learn for identical voicings.

Other than that, it's really good for touch-playing, if you're into that, as you can practice piano-style things like scales in octaves with identical fingerings for each hand.

BTW...just listened to Tom Quayle for the first time after reading this thread. Excellent stuff.

ittoa666 · 09-19-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by distressed_romeo

BTW...just listened to Tom Quayle for the first time after reading this thread. Excellent stuff.

Glad you checked him out. Amazing player.

Black_tear · 09-26-2010, 09:41 PM

Tom Quayle is awesome. I was listening to Guthrie Govan some years ago when i found Tom.Amazing fusion player, great improvisation skills!
...and lovely suhr guitar

ElRay · 09-26-2010, 10:00 PM

There's a bunch of all-4ths folks here. If Durero doesn't drop-in a reply, send him a PM.

Ray

adrock · 10-03-2010, 12:16 AM

i'm interested in the "benefits" too. i don't like to admit, but i don't really know my scales or modes, etc. i am just starting to really learn them all. and i never really understood standard tuning honestly. should i just try perfect fourths since i'm basically learning from scratch? so far, it seems easier to me.

Xodus · 10-03-2010, 02:26 AM

Coming from playing a bass I find it a lot easier to do arpeggios and scales in full fourths. The only disadvantage I can think of would be the inability to do barre chords. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on hugely with shredders.

dpm · 10-03-2010, 04:54 AM

I find all-4ths much more logical for the way I approach things, and I switched after playing for many years in standard. I can't remember exactly when but at the time I didn't know of anyone else doing it (except bass players). I can still play in standard but fourths is less restrictive for my creativity. Certain chords can be a little more difficult, but others less so

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09-18-2010, 05:03 PM	#1
ittoa666 /)'3'(\ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chimaera SD Posts: 6,398 Thanked: 195 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Benefits of Fourths Tuning Title really says it all. After watching Tom Quayle play, it got me curious as to how this tuning could be beneficial. Ride the wings of death! "Seriously... You DO NOT headbang with your knees" Murmel

09-18-2010, 05:10 PM	#2
Maniacal SS.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newbury Posts: 1,669 Thanked: 23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Its quite obvious why it is beneficial. Its just really difficult to get used to when you have been playing for ages. Shred Training A2 Posters out now! High quality, cheap and ideal for daily practice. http://www.shredtraining.com http://www.youtube.com/shredtraining

09-19-2010, 07:15 AM	#5
distressed_romeo F'king ............ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Melnibone (duh!) Posts: 10,718 Thanked: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've always liked the idea of fourths, but given it took me so long to get used to that pesky maj3rd, I don't think I'd really gain much by switching. The main thing I can see it being beneficial is exploring harmony if you're into jazz guitar, as it'll drastically cut down the number of fingerings you need to learn for identical voicings. Other than that, it's really good for touch-playing, if you're into that, as you can practice piano-style things like scales in octaves with identical fingerings for each hand. BTW...just listened to Tom Quayle for the first time after reading this thread. Excellent stuff. Define 'well-adjusted'... http://farsideguitars.blogspot.com/

09-26-2010, 09:41 PM	#7
Black_tear ss.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Portugal Posts: 194 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tom Quayle is awesome. I was listening to Guthrie Govan some years ago when i found Tom.Amazing fusion player, great improvisation skills! ...and lovely suhr guitar My next tunning from lowest to highest D G E N N T T T

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09-19-2010, 01:11 AM	#3
Hollowway SS.org Regular Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 6,223 Thanked: 105 Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Yeah, that's why I don't want to change. Plus, you can kiss goodbye all the covers you've ever learned. Personally, I think it would be cool if you were just learning to just start that way, but oh well. Little late for me!

09-26-2010, 10:00 PM	#8
ElRay Mostly Harmless Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NoIL Posts: 2,237 Thanked: 32 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There's a bunch of all-4ths folks here. If Durero doesn't drop-in a reply, send him a PM. Ray The Ultimate Question: What string gauge is needed for 18.84# of tension when tuned to E2 on a 27" scale guitar?

10-03-2010, 12:16 AM	#9
adrock long ball larry! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: austin, tx Posts: 1,009 Thanked: 22 Feedback Score: 4 reviews	i'm interested in the "benefits" too. i don't like to admit, but i don't really know my scales or modes, etc. i am just starting to really learn them all. and i never really understood standard tuning honestly. should i just try perfect fourths since i'm basically learning from scratch? so far, it seems easier to me.

10-03-2010, 02:26 AM	#10
Xodus ss.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 85 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Coming from playing a bass I find it a lot easier to do arpeggios and scales in full fourths. The only disadvantage I can think of would be the inability to do barre chords. I'm surprised it hasn't caught on hugely with shredders.

10-03-2010, 04:54 AM	#11
dpm Oni Guitars Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Posts: 3,377 Thanked: 21 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I find all-4ths much more logical for the way I approach things, and I switched after playing for many years in standard. I can't remember exactly when but at the time I didn't know of anyone else doing it (except bass players). I can still play in standard but fourths is less restrictive for my creativity. Certain chords can be a little more difficult, but others less so I'm currently catching up with emails, please be patient

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