Lollygag1 - Posted - 01/09/2008:  13:26:21

I really want to try this, but do not understand how it is played. Thanks for any insight.

Edited by - OTJunky on 05/30/2008 17:37:05

DougD - Posted - 01/09/2008:  13:47:51

Either tune your two low strings up a step to A and E (an octave below the high strings), or tune your high strings down to G and D (an octave above the bass strings).

There are other possibilities too, but thats most common.

Edited by - DougD on 01/09/2008 13:48:52

OTJunky - Posted - 01/09/2008:  13:55:47

We have these threads already...

"Cross Tunings"
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...OPIC_ID=1051

"Cross Tuning and String Breakage"
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...TOPIC_ID=554

"Cross Tuning"
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...?TOPIC_ID=39

"Cross Tuning / Tunes"
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...OPIC_ID=1121

"Cross Tuning, Different ways, Where can I learn?"
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/...TOPIC_ID=938

We can start another - but it's unlikely we can reproduce all the good information people have already written about cross tuning.

Probably better to have this one cover questions about what's already been written about it.

--OTJ
"I can barely fiddle on four strings. Why would I want five?"

bsed - Posted - 01/09/2008:  17:02:59

Use your fine tuners more so you don't risk breaking strings. That is, tune strings a little flat (if you're tuning the A&E up) and then use your fine tuners to bring them the rest of the way up to pitch.


"I can, and do, cut my own hair."
-Dwight Shrute

"I convinced my boss of my acumen in sales, and he rewarded me with these two plaques of recognition in lieu of a pay increase."
-Dwight Shrute

Dick Hauser - Posted - 01/09/2008:  17:51:53

You need to provide more information. At what level is your fiddle playing ? Can you read musical notation ? Do you already play some other fiddle style ? Do you already play by "ear" ?

These tunings are commonly used for "old time" fiddling. In some cases though, certain tunes (ex. Black Mountain Rag) use special tunings.

If you want to learn to use open tunings, your best bet is learning from another fiddler. You will also have to listen to a lot of recordings. Find somebody to teach you simple melodies and show you the fingering required to play the tunes. The best way is to first learn to play the tune using single notes. After you can do that, add the drones and double stops. Listen to the music, get the melody in your head, then find the melody on fiddle.



gulfguy

Mountainbanjo - Posted - 01/10/2008:  01:04:17

Brad Leftwich uses cross-tunings in his instructional DVDs.

Just curious Dick, why does her playing ability matter? I'm a novice and I'm learning my first tune in AEae from the Leftwich DVD. I hope I'm not committing a(nother) faux paux.