Adventures with Downtuned Synthetic Strings and a Weak Index Finger.

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Posted by fiddlepogo on Friday, April 12, 2013

I played an ELECTRIC guitar at a jam Saturday. I thought it would be easier on the lame finger, but it wasn't. Very discouraging.

However, I continue to like the sound of the downtuned synthetics. I did a little research on standard pitch, and it turns out that tuning down a half step amounts to the same thing as the current common Baroque tuning of 415. So I'm not the ONLY one doing it.

Yesterday I did a gig with just fiddle and banjo. The fiddle part with the downtuned synthetics went well, and sounded good in the room. The finger seemed to tighten up though almost as soon as I started playing banjo. It occurred to me that it might not be just string tension- I may be clamping down tighter on fretted instruments as an insurance against fret buzz, which is a NASTY sound.

Yesterday I threw my back out lifting the sack of kitty litter. That gave me some perspective on pain and

PAIN!!!

(Sunday)

Back is getting better, still a little stiff though.

It doesn't go out all that often, but when it does, OUCH!

5 comments on “Adventures with Downtuned Synthetic Strings and a Weak Index Finger.”

martynspeck Says:
Friday, April 12, 2013 @4:36:26 AM

Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

Back pain is a killer.

richdissmore Says:
Friday, April 12, 2013 @6:16:01 PM

sorry to hear your back is out i have to be very care full i see a chiorpractor that helps me when i have back pain i can,t do any thing so i feel for you hot and cold packs can help see a doctor