Low E against high e

[YeOldRocker]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

Actually, it's 3 E notes, the D string on the second fret makes another E - and that one sounds just fine

E is the major third of a C chord, but placing a 3rd (low E) before the root (C) changes the way the chord is perceived; there's a micro-second where the ear hears the E as the root, rather than the C. There is an E in an A chord, where E is the 5th, but you don't hit the low E when you play an A chord, for much the same reason.

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by YeOldRocker

E is the major third of a C chord, but placing a 3rd (low E) before the root (C) changes the way the chord is perceived; there's a micro-second where the ear hears the E as the root, rather than the C. There is an E in an A chord, where E is the 5th, but you don't hit the low E when you play an A chord, for much the same reason.

Makes sense to me.

[Russ C]

The 3rd harmonic of E is B. It's quite audible though not "noticeable" (against the louder 1st and 2nd). The low E's B harmonic plays against your Middle C and it's discordant.
The high E plays a Maj 7 up in the clouds and we don't perceive any clash up there.

[MinorKey]

Interesting stuff!

[musicman1951]

Many good answers. Another issue may be that the third of the chord in equal temperament is unhappily sharp. To have a note that is generally not wonderfully pleasing to the ear as the root is less than satisfying. I wouldn't, however, suggest it never works - it's not wrong, just makes my ear unhappy most of the time.

The interval of a 6th on the bottom of the chord might sound a little weird as we are generally accustomed to hearing a 5th there.

[Looburst]

You're not alone, many pros don't use that low E in the C chord either. Too many ugly overtones.

[MinorKey]

I'll have to try this on the piano. E2, C3, E3, G3. See if it sounds with the same discordant tone

Sent from my WAS-LX1A using Acoustic Guitar Forum mobile app

[Jabberwocky]

Great answers.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by MinorKey

I've long wondered why, when playing a C chord for example the high E sounds fine but low E just sounds wrong and has to be muted. Why is this?

The third of the chord in the bass sounds worse than a third higher up.

The root, and sometimes the fifth, sound better on the bottom.

Just is.

[guitar george]

Play it like this and you will be forever Happy!

images.jpg

[Tico]

Originally Posted by guitar george

Play it like this and you will be forever Happy!

Attachment 3233

... unless the 5th in the bass is not the sound you're after for that musical moment.

Usually, but not always, the root (1) in the bass sound best.
Often the 5th sounds good in the bass.
Rarely, but sometimes, the 3rd in the bass sounds groovy.

Music follows rules, except when it doesn't.
But you should learn the rules, before you're free to break them.

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by Tico

... unless the 5th in the bass is not the sound you're after for that musical moment.

Usually, but not always, the root (1) in the bass sound best.
Often the 5th sounds good in the bass.
Rarely, but sometimes, the 3rd in the bass sounds groovy.

Music follows rules, except when it doesn't.
But you should learn the rules, before you're free to break them.

Haha, I guess this is why I should have spent more money on guitar lessons and less money on guitars.

[Tico]

Originally Posted by guitar george

Haha, I guess this is why I should have spent more money on guitar lessons and less money on guitars.

It's never too late to take some music theory classes at your local community college.
It ain't rocket science.

... BTW, I use that fingering you posted, with a G (the fifth) in the bass, very very often.

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

I suspect this is one of the many mysteries of music that are best solved by acquiring a new guitar.

Works for me.

[saxonblue]

I don't think low E sounds wrong on an E maj chord, the note is after all part of the chord but more often than not I change the fingering so I either have 3rd finger on 3rd fret of the E & pinky on the 3rd fret of the A* or I thumbover 3rd fret on the E string which makes the 5th or G note the lowest note of the chord. It gives a fuller, stronger voicing to the chord IMO.

This seems to works best for me when F & G chords are featuring prominently in a tune (which they often will been 4th & 5ths in C). Other times however the E sounds fine in the bass, particularly if there's a walking bass line going that direction anyway.

* Edit, just noticed Guitar George's post #25, that's exactly what I meant.