I need help in guitar tuning: tuner says I’m off by fourths

Guitar Tuning: Understanding the “Off by Fourths” Dilemma

Guitar tuning is a fundamental aspect of playing the instrument. It ensures that each string produces the correct pitch, allowing for harmonious and accurate performance. However, guitarists sometimes encounter situations where their tuner indicates that the strings are “off by fourths.” This article aims to shed light on this issue and provide insights into guitar tuning techniques.

Tuning in Fourths: The Standard Approach

Traditionally, guitars are tuned in fourths, where each string is tuned to a pitch that is a perfect fourth interval apart from the adjacent string. This tuning system provides a logical and consistent pattern across the fretboard, facilitating chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios. It is the foundation for most guitar playing techniques and musical styles.

The “Off by Fourths” Phenomenon

In some cases, guitarists may experience a situation where their tuner indicates that the strings are off by fourths. This can be puzzling and frustrating, especially for beginners. One possible explanation for this is tuning the guitar down by exactly one fourth from standard tuning. When this adjustment is made, the tuner may perceive the strings as being off by fourths. This can occur when using a 7-string guitar or when intentionally tuning the strings differently for experimental purposes.

The Rise of Fourth Tuning

Fourth tuning, also known as all fourths tuning or perfect fourths tuning, has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to standard tuning. It offers a more symmetrical and logical approach to playing the guitar, as all intervals between strings are consistent fourths. This tuning system reduces the complexity of learning new chord, arpeggio, and scale shapes, as they remain consistent across string sets.

The B String Gap

When using fourth tuning, guitarists encounter a unique characteristic known as the “B string gap.” While the majority of the guitar is tuned in fourths, the interval between the G and B strings is a third. This gap poses challenges when playing patterns that involve crossing over to the B string. It requires adjustments in finger positioning and can be initially difficult to navigate for guitarists accustomed to standard tuning.

The Advantages and Drawbacks of Fourth Tuning

Fourth tuning offers several advantages for guitarists. It reduces the amount of material to learn by around two-thirds since chord, arpeggio, and scale shapes remain consistent across string sets. This can lead to faster progress in developing improvisation skills and a more efficient understanding of the fretboard.

However, fourth tuning also has its drawbacks. It distorts open chords and full barre chords, making certain styles of music, such as jangle rock, less practical. Guitarists who primarily play in fourth tuning may need to make adjustments to accommodate string bending techniques commonly used in other tunings. Additionally, covering songs written in standard tuning can be challenging, requiring transposition or alternative fingerings.

Notable Guitarists and Fourth Tuning

Despite its challenges, fourth tuning has found favor among many guitarists. Notable players who use or have used fourth tuning include Stanley Jordan, Tom Quayle, Alex Hutchings, and Ant Law. These guitarists have embraced fourth tuning’s unique advantages and incorporated it into their playing styles, demonstrating its versatility and musical possibilities.

In conclusion, guitar tuning in fourths is the standard approach, providing a logical and consistent pattern on the fretboard. The “off by fourths” dilemma can arise when tuning down by exactly one fourth or using alternative tunings. Fourth tuning offers benefits such as consistency and efficiency but also presents challenges with open chords and certain playing styles. By understanding the principles of guitar tuning and exploring different tuning systems, guitarists can expand their playing horizons and find the tuning that best suits their musical goals.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Guitar Tuning and the “Off by Fourths” Dilemma

Why does my tuner say I’m off by fourths in guitar tuning?

In some cases, when tuning a guitar down by exactly one fourth from standard tuning or using alternative tunings, the tuner may indicate that the strings are off by fourths. This can happen due to the differences in pitch between the strings and the reference point set by the tuner.

How does standard guitar tuning work?

Standard guitar tuning is typically done in fourths, where each string is tuned to a pitch that is a perfect fourth interval apart from the adjacent string. This tuning system provides a logical and consistent pattern across the fretboard.

What is fourth tuning, and why is it gaining popularity?

Fourth tuning, also known as all fourths tuning or perfect fourths tuning, is an alternative tuning system where all intervals between strings are consistent fourths. It offers a more symmetrical and logical approach to playing the guitar, making it easier to learn chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios. It has gained popularity among guitarists looking for a different musical perspective.

What is the “B string gap” in fourth tuning?

In fourth tuning, there is a gap between the G and B strings. While the guitar is mostly tuned in fourths, the interval between the G and B strings is a third. This can create challenges when playing patterns that involve crossing over to the B string.

What are the advantages of fourth tuning?

Fourth tuning reduces the amount of material to learn by around two-thirds, as chord, arpeggio, and scale shapes remain consistent across string sets. This can lead to faster progress in improvisation skills and a more efficient understanding of the fretboard.

Are there any drawbacks to using fourth tuning?

While fourth tuning has its advantages, it also has some drawbacks. It distorts open chords and full barre chords, making certain styles of music, like jangle rock, less practical. It may require adjustments for string bending techniques commonly used in other tunings. Additionally, playing covers of songs written in standard tuning can be challenging in fourth tuning.

Can I use fourth tuning if I have a 7-string guitar?

Yes, fourth tuning can be used with a 7-string guitar. It provides a consistent and logical tuning system across all strings, allowing for exploration of new musical possibilities.

Which notable guitarists use fourth tuning?

Notable guitarists who have used or currently use fourth tuning include Stanley Jordan, Tom Quayle, Alex Hutchings, and Ant Law. These musicians have embraced the unique advantages of fourth tuning and incorporated it into their playing styles.