12-string tuning

[the floodzone]

How is a 12-string tuned? Is it E-A-D-G-B-E in standard? Or all the smaller strings tuned to something else? I wondering if when you tune to drop D, if you'd have to tune the other top string to D also, or to something else.

Chris

[shane]

its in standard tuning with the smaller strings tuned to the octaves of the string with it. the B's and high E's will be the same pitch.

[Marge]

Originally posted by the floodzone
How is a 12-string tuned? Is it E-A-D-G-B-E in standard? Or all the smaller strings tuned to something else? I wondering if when you tune to drop D, if you'd have to tune the other top string to D also, or to something else.

When I tune to drop D, I tune both the strings in the pair to D. I love the 12 string in drop D.

MAKE it a GREAT day!!!
Marge

[the floodzone]

Thanks for the responses! So what would the tuning look like? I'm not too familar with octaves and things like that.

Chris

[shane]

EEAADDGGBBEE

[trappermark]

As noted above the smaller string in each pair (except the two highest strings) is an octave higher than it's mate. An octave is the same note 7 steps higher. If you look at a piano keyboard, you'll notice that the same notes repeat over and over as you move left to right, just higher each time. Think of the low E and high E strings on your six string guitar. Same note, different octave. This is what gives a 12-string its broad and shimmery sound.

[the floodzone]

Interesting. If/when I get my W65 tuning may be a learning experience for me.

Chris

[Ninjato]

Originally posted by trappermark
As noted above the smaller string in each pair (except the two highest strings) is an octave higher than it's mate. An octave is the same note 7 steps higher.

Theoretically speaking, an OCTAVE is 8 steps higher.

[Pipsqueak]

Originally posted by Ninjato
Theoretically speaking, an OCTAVE is 8 steps higher.

or is it 7 steps, but it's the 8th NOTE.





(I think we all know what we mean )

[Ninjato]

Originally posted by Pipsqueak
or is it 7 steps, but it's the 8th NOTE.





(I think we all know what we mean )

To keep everything easy for future reference, when counting in steps to refer to the scale degrees, one always starts the count from the note you are on. No sense in going thru the re-calculating. If Floodzone is new to music/theory, then I am trying to facilitate the understanding. Not trying to step on anyone's toes or berate anyone...hence the wink.....to reiterate, it is 8 steps and it is the 8th note.

[the floodzone]

I think all this step and octaves are still above me

Chris

[Pipsqueak]

Originally posted by Ninjato
To keep everything easy for future reference, when counting in steps to refer to the scale degrees, one always starts the count from the note you are one. No sense in going thru the re-calculating. If Floodzone is new to music/theory, then I am trying to facilitate the understanding. Not trying to step on anyone's toes or berate anyone...hence the wink.....to reiterate, it is 8 steps and it is the 8th note.

I hear ya....and believe it or not, I actually did know that you start from the note you're on.

I was just adding some fuel to the fire....but probably not smart, considering Chris is just trying to learn the basics.

my fault!

[Ninjato]

Floodzone: You might want to check out www.musictheory.net

also dload the free music training program. It is a great way to start understand the basics.

[Plexiprs]

Floodzone, think about a regular 6-string guitar.

The 6th, fattest, string is tuned to E.

Same on a 12-string. The paired string to the 6th string on a 12-string is tuned the same as if you played a 6-string guitar on the 4th string (D) at the second fret.

This is an E, one octave higher then the E of the open 6th string.

On a 6-string the next octave up for E is the open 1st string, the skinniest string of them all. So the following;

6-5-4-3-2-1
========
0-X-2-X-X-0

Gives you three E's, each an octave apart.

Help any???

[Ninjato]

OK...simple explanation of an octave.

Let's pick C ...any C and run the notes:

C D E F G A B C = this is one octave worth of notes

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C = this is 2 octaves worth of notes

Remember SOUND OF MUSIC? Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
Doe (Do), a deer, a female deer
Ray (Re), a drop of golden sun
Me (Mi), a name I call myself
Far (Fa), a long long way to run
Sew (So), a needle pulling thread
La (La), a note to follow sew
Tea (Ti), I drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to "Do"

so if you start on C:

C = Do
D = Re
E = Mi
F = Fa
G = So
A = La
B = Ti
C = Do (one octave up)