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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2 3   |
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| Low G tuning vs high G - Beginner Questions - Ukulele - Ukulele - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Kiwi Mark Approved 
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G'day, As I sit and wait for my new Pono PT Tenor to arrive... I find myself more and more confused over "low G" tuning. I am hoping that perhaps you can help me get this concept through my thick skull. Isn't the "low g" simply a thicker, wound-metal string that plays an octave lower than what you find on a traditionally tuned uke? If so... why do I seem to keep seeing things online that suggest that the chord fingering for "low g" ukes are different than "high g"? I can understand how the fingering of melody lines need to change, but what's wrong with simply playing the g an octave lower while playing chords? (I thought that this is what gives them a "fuller" sound.) I've already ordered a new set of Aquila high g and Aquila low g strings for it so I can change the tuning whenever I need to. Any advice on Low G tuning is great appreciated! Cheers, Mark
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Will Approved 
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Hi, Mark: Nearly all of my ukes have a low-G string. If you're playing chords, in most cases, just play the low-G tuned uke in the exact same way as with a high-G re-entrant tuned uke. There may be a few chords, such as Em, where a high-G fingering does not fret the G string (2340); for a low-G tuned uke, play it 2344. If you have a low-G string, you can use it to play a low "bass" note when you strum. A fingerpicking tabulature will, of course, be arranged and played differently on a low-G uke vs. a re-entrant uke. -Will Last edited on Wed Sep 3rd, 2008 02:20 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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Kiwi Mark Approved
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Thanks for that Will.
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Da Boy Approved
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That and the 1 (base)of the chord is usually on one of the two lower strings. The G bieng a Higher strig (usually) often does not have the base note on it. I tuned my uke to low g and hated it. Shrug... But each instument is diff. Plus i did not like the wound strings. Since i only have one uke, i keep it tuned to the upper G.
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ukepimp Approved 
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I think that it all depends on the type of music that you play, and the sound that you want to accomplish. With the different genres of ukulele music around, you'll start to notice who and what of their music. Who meaning which players prefer low G compared to the re-entrant tuning. The what refers to what style they play. Gstring Ukulele sponsored artist James Hill has a low G on his signature series uke. Because he is a solo artist, he gets a fuller sound when he strums, and you hear the correct low to high progression of his strings when he picks from 4th string to 1st string. Now, a player like Troy Fernandez of the Ka'au Crater Boys has his Sonny D super concert set up with re-entrant high G tuning. Because his style is full of fast riffs, and lots of pull-offs and hammer-ons on the 1st and 2nd strings, while using the high G 4th strings as the fill in notes, it more suited with the high G. It all depends on you. Both my Gstring ukuleles have re-entrant high G tuning on it. But, as soon as I get my custom ukulele back from repair(in a few days hopefully), I'm putting a low G on my Gstring T4 semi custom uke. That's my primary teaching ukulele, and I want a fuller sound when I strum during class. but....that's just me.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/Dennis_Kaieamakoa_Nakamoto http://www.myspace.com/dennisnakamoto http://www.myspace.com/ukehutguam DON'T THINK.......JUST PICK!!!! |
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HowlinHobbit Approved 
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Kiwi Mark wrote: ... why do I seem to keep seeing things online that suggest that the chord fingering for "low g" ukes are different than "high g"? ... First point: You're seeing these things because of ignorance. Second point: That's likely to screw your intonation up bigtime. If your ukulele is set up for re-entrant tuning going to low 4th will mess with the intonation. The reverse is also true. I know that this is going to get me flamed, but I suspect the ears of anyone who claims there's no difference.
____________________ Howlin' Hobbit Got Uke? MySpace ezFolk UkeLand |
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Ukeconomics Approved 
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It's interesting that you mention setup differences between low and high G, because one of the odd things I've noted about my own uke (a Pono PTC I purchased in the summmer of 2007) is that there seems to be no compensation at the bridge or nut that I can tell. I've put both low and high G strings on and had no problems with intonation, and I've checked it with an chromatic tuner in addition to my own ear and if there's an intonation problem it's pretty minor. So no flame, because I also have a ten-year old Simon and Patrick cedar top six string guitar that does have intonation issues with the sixth string due to what I think is a nut not being sized quite right, so I think I can relate to what you're saying. But I'm wondering if on ukuleles whether or not it's possible to make a quality uke that can handle both low and high G strings without said intonation issues. Of course it all may be just my ear. I have a friend who plays waay too much guitar and is cursed with a ear that notes every little difference in pitch, to the point where when I'm sitting next to him at a show he invariably mutters about which string needs to be tuned. So I think I'll ask him to lend an ear to my uke just to be sure.
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ukepimp Approved
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Ukeconomics wrote: It's interesting that you mention setup differences between low and high G, because one of the odd things I've noted about my own uke (a Pono PTC I purchased in the summmer of 2007) is that there seems to be no compensation at the bridge or nut that I can tell. I've put both low and high G strings on and had no problems with intonation, and I've checked it with an chromatic tuner in addition to my own ear and if there's an intonation problem it's pretty minor. For most ukuleles, hand crafted or laminate, if you drastically change the gauge of the strings, you might get a disturbance from the nut and/or saddle. I would say that a good majority of ukuleles are setup with standard black nylon strings. Now if you change those strings to, let's say..... D'addario J65 strings, chances are that you will get a buzz from the strings. The nut and saddle are set up for the thickness of the black nylon strings, and not for the J65s thinness and lesser tension. Pono ukes however are set up with Ko'olau strings, which are pretty thick. Even the high G is a little thicker than standard high G strings. So changing from re-entrant to a low G set up will not make too big of a difference(especially since a lot of Tenor models are set up with with either tuning on the same models).
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/Dennis_Kaieamakoa_Nakamoto http://www.myspace.com/dennisnakamoto http://www.myspace.com/ukehutguam DON'T THINK.......JUST PICK!!!! |
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freedive135 Approved
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A few days ago I was aasking kind of the same ? On a another forum.... http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5857 I got an education on how to tell the difference on the sheet music end of Low g.
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hdxtheo Approved
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Hi, Will: First of all, I got a bit confused. It seems to me that 'Em' chord is supposed to be read as 0432 instead of 2340 (usually 4th string goes first, then 3rd, 2nd & 1st). 2ndly, regardless of low g or high G, both 0432 & 4432 stand for Em, the only difference between them is, the former would be GEGB, the latter, bEGB. When they (GEGB, BEGB, gEGB or bEGB) are used to go with the melody, would they make different result---one is more listenable than other, or that's only personal choice? I'd appreciate much if you can help me out.
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Will Approved
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hdxtheo wrote: Hi, Will: You're right - I had the numbers reversed. I only have low-G tuned ukes, and I only know how to play chord-melody in that manner; I use the low-G string a lot for the lower melody notes.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Wow, that means you are not interested in playing re-entrant 4th string. I'm curious to know how you play some of the songs with the melody falling on the 4th string. Certainly, there is a bigger range when low g is applied. If I change the high G to low g, I have no idea how to follow the tab with pretty many notes on the 4th string. Do I have to jump back to the 2nd or 1st string by fretting as needed, i.e. ignoring what the tab shows? So sorry to bother you.
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Will Approved
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hdxtheo wrote: Wow, that means you are not interested in playing re-entrant 4th string. I'm curious to know how you play some of the songs with the melody falling on the 4th string. Certainly, there is a bigger range when low g is applied. If I change the high G to low g, I have no idea how to follow the tab with pretty many notes on the 4th string. Do I have to jump back to the 2nd or 1st string by fretting as needed, i.e. ignoring what the tab shows? So sorry to bother you. I'm really sorry, but I can't offer you any assistance in this area... I play only by ear, and I don't use tabulature at all (I can barely read them). I have to hear a song before I can play it, since I can't read music either.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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Neal Approved 
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High G is interesting if you play fingerstyle because of the play of the high g. If your ear feels better with low g, as that's what you're use to, good. If you can hear the possibilities available to you in using the re-entrant tuning playing blues, celtic, country, whatever.. then play around with it. Hobbit is right on in his summary. The melody tab will be different for melody lines using high vs. low, but the chords will be the same. Intonation may be affected big time, good to have 2 saddles if you're going to change. hdxtheo- some songs that require low g(melody) won't sound right on a re-entrant tuned uke if you use the tab, and you will have to play around to get the feel of the song, but it can be done. All melody has gray areas and substitutions. At least in informal music. Conversely, songs meant for re-entrant won't sound right in low g, but they can be done, just not exactly like it was probably meant. Use the gray area young Skywalker... Low G or high G are both interesting and used by different ukers as part of their style, they get familiar with the "lay of the land" and do what sounds best. Let's face it, a uke, tuned either way, can't have the dynamic range of a guitar, but a guitar can't do some of the things a uke can either. It's not a trade off if you think about it, it's just different.
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Hi, Neal: Your explanation is very impressive. However, one thing you mentioned is absolutely beyond my knowledge. What does the gray area mean? Does it mean there is something falling into several measures that allows the players to perform freely but not belongs to the melody?
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Neal Approved
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No, yes, sort of... my use of "the gray area" is just basically a call, and a need, for one to get creative and use what you have. A blues run with a low g will sound great, 'cause you have that bottom end, the notes flow up, it's second nature for most people that are use to guitar or other instruments... but what if you have a high g? It can still sound excellent if you use a little creative license and train your fingers. This is sort of improvisation, but it's more working with what you have to work with, in this case a song meant for low g, and you have re-entrant. Gotta do something, and that something is usually making substitutions. It's good to learn the melody as written, it helps train your fingers and your head, but in the case above, it's good to be able to flow with the song, keep the spirit of what was intended without following the letter. Sometimes the melody will call for a note, say low A, and you have re-entrant. Substitute a chord. In a blues in A, sometimes it's 243 (aeg) that gives you the sound you're looking for when you don't have the low a. I find re-entrant very versatile when you do things like this. Blues just seemed the easiest to try to explain.. Last edited on Wed Nov 5th, 2008 09:36 pm by Neal ____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Thanks a lot, Neal. What you explained is very convincing, but to me, a guy being ignorant of blues at all, it would be complicated and sophisticated as well. Anyway, I'd appreciate much for your time & effort to help me understand the theory in detail. Also I'll try to search for some info about blues via internet.
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Neal Approved
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What type of music are you playing these days?
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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hdxtheo Approved
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Hi, Neal: I'm a beginner starting to play uke 3 years ago. All the songs I've paid attention to are these posted by Richard online, especially to those with clawhammer style. Frankly, I'm the inferior guy in my home who plays uke, all of my siblings were either violinist & cellist in the symphony orchestra or very good at playing piano & flute. On account of my strong personality---unwilling to lag behind (LOL!!!), I've made up my mind to choose an instrument. Actually you can easily imagine how poor I'm playing. BTW, is it possible for you to offer me several songs featured as "BLUES" in order for me to learn something new? I'd appreciate it very much. Wow, I have to say tabs are much better for me to learn if possible, but MP3 is not suitable for me because of my poor ears.
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Neal Approved
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Theo, most popular songs, including blues are basically in a 1-4-5 sort of order. Tab... I don't have a source other than Chordie.com, some good ones there. 1-4-5 is just another way of saying "your first chord, say it's an A, the 4 chord would be.. hmm.. let's see.. abc..D!, then the 5 chord would be abcd..E! You can use this formula for a TON of songs out there, and for most standard blues, just make 'em 7ths. Switch the one chord, and make it a D, the 4 chord would be G, the 5 chord would be A. I hope this helps a little. Inferior nuthin'! They can't possibly know what they're missing. My sister and I are the only ones that have music in the blood, my bro is just not into it. However his kids are awesome, the son, and I can't figure this out, taught himself piano. Classical piano. He's very good. Niece is a voice major in college, I don't think it's genetic, I can't even do chopsticks on piano...
____________________ http://ezfolk.com/audio/NealPaisley http://www.indiependencemusic.net/paisleylawler http://www.myspace.com/nealpaisley |
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| ezFolk Forums > Ukulele > Beginner Questions - Ukulele > Low G tuning vs high G | |
