Standard tuning

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.

Violin family[edit]

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

• Violin – G₃ D₄ A₄ E₅ (ascending perfect fifths, starting from G below middle C)
• Viola – C₃ G₃ D₄ A₄ (a perfect fifth below a violin's standard tuning)
• Cello – C₂ G₂ D₃ A₃ (an octave lower than the viola)
• Double bass – E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ (ascending perfect fourths, where the highest sounding open string coincides with the G on a cello).
• Double bass with a low C extension – C₁ E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ (the same, except for low C, which is a major third below the low E on a standard 4-string double bass)
• 5-stringed double bass – B₀ E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ (a low B is added, so the tuning remains in perfect fourths)

Viol family[edit]

The double bass is properly the contrabass member of the viol family. Its smaller members are tuned in ascending fourths, with a major third in the middle, as follows:

• Treble viol – D₃ G₃ C₄ E₄ A₄ D₅ (ascending perfect fourths with the exception of a major third between strings 3 and 4)
• Tenor viol – G₂ C₃ F₃ A₃ D₄ G₄ (a perfect fifth below the treble viol)
• Bass viol – D₂ G₂ C₃ E₃ A₃ D₄ (an octave lower than the treble viol)
• 7-stringed bass viol – A₁ D₂ G₂ C₃ E₃ A₃ D₄ (an extra low A is added)

A more recent family is the violin octet, which also features a standardized tuning system (see page).

Guitar family[edit]

Guitars and bass guitars have more standard tunings, depending on the number of strings an instrument has.

• six-string guitar (the most common configuration) – E₂ A₂ D₃ G₃ B₃ E₄ (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.
• Renaissance lute – E₂ A₂ D₃ F♯₃ B₃ E₄ (used by classical guitarists for certain pieces; identical to standard guitar tuning, except for the F♯, lowered one semitone from the standard G string, placing the major third between 3rd and 4th rather than 2nd and 3rd strings)
• seven-string guitar – B₁ E₂ A₂ D₃ G₃ B₃ E₄ (identical, except for the low B, which is a perfect fourth below the low E on a 6-stringed guitar)
• four-string bass guitar (most popular) – E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ (its standard tuning coincides with that of a 4-stringed double bass)
• five-string bass – B₀ E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ (identical to 4-stringed bass with the addition of a low B string a perfect fourth below the E).
• six-string bass – B₀ E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ C₃ (identical to 5-stringed bass with the addition of a high C string a perfect fourth above the G).
• Baritone (older use) / 6 string bass (older use) such as the Fender Bass VI – E₁ A₁ D₂ G₂ B₂ E₃ (Similar to a standard guitar but an octave lower, and often played like a standard guitar rather than a bass guitar.)
• Baritone guitar (contemporary versions) – B₁ E₂ A₂ D₃ F♯₃ B₃ a fourth below standard tuning, although A₁ to A₃; a fifth lower is also used.
• 12-string guitar E₃ E₂ A₃ A₂ D₄ D₃ G₄ G₃ B₃ B₃ E₄ E₄ in six two-string courses.

Other[edit]

Other plucked string instruments and their respective standard tunings include:

• Banjo (Five-stringed): G₄ D₃ G₃ B₃ D₄ for bluegrass; old time and folk banjoists use this and a wide variety of other tunings
• Mandola: C₃ G₃ D₄ A₄ (same as standard viola tuning)
• Mandolin: G₃ D₄ A₄ E₅ (same as standard violin tuning)
• Pipa: A₂ D₃ E₃ A₃ (most common and used in Chinese orchestra; several other tunings exist)
• Balalaika (Prima): E₄ E₄ A₅ (the two identical Es are on strings of different gauges)
• Requinto Jarocho: A₃ D₃ G₃ C₄ (G string tuned the same as a guitar's)
• Ukulele (Soprano): G₄ C₄ E₄ A₄ (C₆) and A₄ D₄ F♯₄ B₄

See also[edit]

• List of guitar tunings
• Musical tuning
• Scordatura

References[edit]

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