The 3-String E-E-G# Tuning & Pushing Into Unfamiliar Territory

RAGA NOVA:  It's been six years since I filmed this little improv video below.  As I recall, it was early morning and I wanted to hear something quiet.  I went down in my studio and picked up this guitar specifically because it didn't have a standard cigar box guitar tuning like DAD or GDG. This one was in E major octave, EEG#. It's strangely beautiful...

I wanted to put my creative brain in unfamiliar territory, and since I don't use this tuning too much it was a good place to start.

Here's the process I used to create this piece:

  1. I sat there just putting my fingers in different random positions just to see if anything sounded good.
  2. When I heard pleasing sounds, I created riffs around them.
  3. After about 6 or 7 good riffs, I had the general building blocks for this improv. I practiced them and then rolled the camera.

What you see in the video is an improvisation using those riffs I came up with that morning. I was simply playing for my own enjoyment. It made me feel good to hear this guitar sing.

How to a cigar box guitar for E-E-G tuning using a standard pack of guitar strings:

  • Low string - Low E string (tuned E)
  • Middle string - D string (tuned E, one octave higher)
  • High string - G string (tuned G)

Art and music and poetry are always worthwhile if it makes you smile. This song made me smile.  Put yourself in unfamiliar territory. Make something pretty.

Then smile.
-Shane

ps.  I eventually recorded this song for my instrumental album, Empty Wooden Box (link)

Hmm...it might be time for me to record a new instrumental cigar box guitar album.   

Views: 1203

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Has a nice mellow tone to it.

Wow, very Zeppelin-eske, maybe with a little bit of Floyd snuck in there, very nice sound

Shane that tuning really creates a cool, haunting sound. I'm still blown away by all the many different tunings that are possible with 3-string cigar box guitars. Haven't tried but a couple other than open G, but I am definitely open to learning and trying out many more, including this one. Thanks for bringing this to us!

I like that tuning Shane. Gonna have to try that on one of my gits.

Thanks for posting.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
13 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
13 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
14 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
15 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
15 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
17 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
17 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
19 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
23 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
23 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->