Does the bass guitar have open tunings?

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Jonsi
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06 Apr 2011, 7:22 pm

A rather silly question, I know, but I'm curious. Maybe extended range basses do? I know of alternate tunings and such but I've wondered if there are any open tunings.



FJP
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06 Apr 2011, 8:39 pm

There is no reason you couldn't. You don't see it very often. I think mainly because bass tends to be a single note instrument and not a chord instrument. (It can be, it's just not common). It might be fun to try!!



Jonsi
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06 Apr 2011, 9:36 pm

I've been experimenting as of late and the only thing I've found to work is using octaves. Such as ADAD and GAGA but it's a little hard on standard gauge strings. I worry that they'll snap.



aspyoz
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06 Apr 2011, 10:52 pm

Im a guitar player, but have total ignorance as to the tuning of basses.

But had a ramble in my guitar ebooks archive and found THIS

Dont know if its of any help....


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FJP
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07 Apr 2011, 9:41 am

Jonsi wrote:
I've been experimenting as of late and the only thing I've found to work is using octaves. Such as ADAD and GAGA but it's a little hard on standard gauge strings. I worry that they'll snap.


Somewhere I seen a "String tension chart" that told what strings of a specific guage could handle for a given scale. You might look into that. It might save you some strings.

I would try a 5th note ( for power chords) and mabey a minor for a little flavor.

See if you can find some interviews with Sonic Youth. They are/where always experimenting with tunings.



rabidmonkey4262
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07 Apr 2011, 10:32 pm

Just out of curiosity, when would you use an open bass tuning in context? I imagine any harmony would be a bit hard to discern. I play violin and piano, so I wouldn't know.


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Jonsi
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08 Apr 2011, 7:13 pm

I haven't a clue, I was just wondering if there was any.



Mr_Axelrod
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10 Apr 2011, 9:49 am

I know that on As I Am John Myung tuned a 6 string bass C E A D G C.