Basic Tuning Information

From StickiWiki

Contents 1 Melody Side 2 Bass Side 3 Cool Facts about the Tuning 4 Tuning Alternatives

Melody Side

The melody side consists of the strings on the right side of the instrument as you face it. The melody side is tuned in fourths, with strings ascending in pitch as you move to the right.

Bass Side

The bass side consists of the strings on the left side of the instrument as you face it. The bass side is normally tuned in fifths, with strings ascending in pitch as you move to the left. This is opposite of most other stringed instruments, but there is a reason.

Cool Facts about the Tuning

• Since each side uses a consistent interval (unlike a guitar, which is tuned in fourths except for one minor third) the chord and scale patterns are the same when you shift it over a string. That's right, there are many fewer chord and scale patterns to learn.
• This one will stretch your brain a bit. Since the melody side is in fourths, and the bass side is in fifths but in reverse order and a fourth is an inverted fifth, the same chord and scale shapes work on the bass side as the melody side! They produce different voicings, since the octave pattern is different, but the same shapes and patterns will work on either side.
• If you play a note at a fret marker, if you move one string to the right and one fret marker closer to the tuners, you will find the same note (or a note an octave down on the bass side). The notes will have the same letter name.
• If you play a note at a fret marker, if you move one string to the left and one fret marker closer to the pickup, you will find the same note (or a note an octave up on the bass side). The notes will have the same letter name.
• The unusual bass side string order makes it easier to play bass notes and chords at the same time with the left hand.

Tuning Alternatives

• Some players set up their Grand (12-string) Sticks so the interval on the bass side for the highest string is a fourth. All the other bass strings are in fifths. This tuning has some advantages for chording, since the first string is an octave above the third string.
• Some players set up their instrument so both the melody side and the bass side are in fourths, but the bass strings still ascend in pitch as you move to the left.
• Some players set up their instruments so that both sides are in fourths and the strings ascend in pitch to the right.