4 string tuning

Replies

DeltaglowBoy January 16, 2013 at 8:59pm

Here is a list of 3 and 4 string tunings for CBG's that I have collected.

Tuning Your Cigar Box Guitar The ( ) is an octave above the previous note.

D Tuning                      alternate                               Mandolin Tuning

DA(D)F#                 DGBE                            GDAE

G Tuning                      Alternative Open G tuning

GD(G)B                  DGB(D)   Keith Richards favorite tuning

                              4 highest strings from pack of medium gauge strings Dgbe

           tuned Dgbd. (tune the high e down to d)

C Tuning

CG(C)G                                             BBF#B  (?) Seasick Steve

A Tuning

AE(A)C#

E Tuning                       Use 4 lowest strings from pack

EB(E)G#

For getting started, most basic Blues licks will use frets 3, 5, 7 and Octave

Harmonica for Blues - Song Key       Harmonica to Use

                                                  A                           D

                                                  G                           C

3 string tunings

Open A: AEa                         Seasick Steve Transwonder tuning
Open Bflat: Bb F bb     (Strings to use A G b) Tune to G G b

Open B: B F# b
Open C: C G c
Open C#: C# G# c#
Open D: D A d
Open D#: D# A# d#
Open E: E B e
Open F: F C f
Open F#: F# C# f#
Open G: G D g
Open G#: G# D# g#

Hope this helps ..... Regards, Delta Glowboy
The Phrygian Kid January 16, 2013 at 7:23am

I like gdgb from the lowest 4 in a guitar set, so low g is only a coue notes higher than low guitar e..
Blacktooth Hopkins January 15, 2013 at 11:12pm

I like the DGDG tuning on a 4string for ease of using "call & response" type of licks...I've never played with this tuning but would think that the GDGD would work similarly for this type of effect.
Ron "Oily" Sprague December 25, 2012 at 3:26am

Amerigo,

I have a coupla 4-stringers, using the 5, 4, 3 and 2 strings from a couple of phosphor bronze acoustic sets. One is tuned Bb-F#-Bb-D, the other is G-D-B-e like a banjo. They both offer the capability to play both slide and fretted, and the fingerings you already know can be easily adapted to these tunings. You're gonna have a lot of fun exploring!
Keni Lee Burgess December 24, 2012 at 9:37am

I play 3 string CBG mainly tuned G5 (GDg / 151) or retuned to Open D (ADf# / 513). In referencing this to 4 string CBG, 151 tuning can be extended to 1515 (GDgd) or 1513 (GDgb). 1513 is based on Open C tuning CGCgce / 151513. What is interesting to consider is that regardless of the configuration you choose to utilize, if it contains the 513 interval, an easy system of movable chords can be created. Currently, I am very fond of this approach because if you want to use a fake book of your favorite artist or band, finding the chords you need is relatively easy. A CBG does not need to be a "one trick pony". It is certainly not a limited instrument due to the fact it only has 3 or 4 strings. What I have found useful is to create a study that organizes the fingerboard and continues to reveal all the possibilities. Enjoy your practice. As usual, please feel free to write, if I can answer any questions. Happy Holidays, Keni Lee

http://youtu.be/xDmNWRrXbns
- Amerigo > Keni Lee Burgess December 24, 2012 at 9:53pm
  
  Thanks Steve and Keni Lee for all the info . This thing is a blast got her hooked up to a small amp and trying to make some decent sounds out of her. It is going to take some practice but it will be worth it. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I learn
  
  Merry Christmas
  
  Amerigo
Slowpaw Steve T December 24, 2012 at 12:20am

try GDGb (-:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/four-string-cigar-box-guitars
Sharecropper December 23, 2012 at 1:23pm

Keni Lee ,"The Man", Burgess .... The go to man on music theory , on this site !! Great tunes , Keni Lee !! @ Amerigo : I like my brass slide it's made for a standard guitar . A stubby slide (but big enough to cover all strings) would be better . Glass and stainless steel work well too . A stainless steel socket is one choice . The most important things I want in a slide are weight and fit . I like a heavy slide . The ease" I " have of playing with a heavy slide compared to a light slide is night and day . How well the slide fits my finger is really important to me . I use my pinky . I want the slide to come pretty close to covering the end of my finger . The slide needs to feel like it's been sized for me and the fit snug and comfortable . So ..... go dig around the house ...... find things that might work for a slide ..... Find what" you " like ........have fun playing with your CBG ....... Merry Christmas present indeed .........I've got to go and catch a running sentence farewell .
Keni Lee Burgess December 23, 2012 at 10:15am

One way I like to play is to use standard strings Dgbe and tune open G (Dgbd)

http://youtu.be/fN_31o3PAYw

http://youtu.be/HB6vm3jtRLk

Enjoy playing your new git-fiddle. Happy Holidays, Keni Lee
- Busyhands Slim > Keni Lee Burgess December 23, 2012 at 12:08pm
  
  Which is banjo tuning, of course. So banjo chord books will work, and clawhamner picking would sound awesome on a CBG.

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