Message Board Archive: Thread Number 160

Hello...Great Message Board! Was it ever common in conventional tuning
for the early acoustic blues and or ragtime players to tune down 1/2
step? And if so why? Thanks, Jack.

Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:26:41 -0500 (EST)
From: Owner-HyperNews@ComCAT.COM (tom w.)
Subject: Tuning down
Message Number: 160.1

>From what I've heard and read I don't think it was common practice for
the original players to tune down in standard tuning, although that's
not to say that there are some examples out there. I think Josh White
tuned down a half step or so for some of his open tuning work. However,
some, like Robt. Johnson, were known to capo up on some pieces. Also,
keep in mind that the original recording machine as well as the later
changing from 78 format to 331/3 and so on, leaves open the possibility
that the speed/pitch may have been altered unintentionally by mechanical
speeds that were slightly slower or faster than intended. I have read
where several contemporary players tune down to achieve better guitar
tone or better match to voice. I personally tune down about a half step
in order to lessen the tension on the top of my fragile old Gibson L-OO.

Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:38:19 -0500 (EST)
From: zeppa@earthlink.net (Frank Basile)
Subject: Feedback: Re: Did early Acoustic Blues players tune down 1/2 step?
Message Number: 160.2

I wouldn't describe it as conventional but a lot of players did tune
down to some extent. Some players may even have tuned *up*... (Stephen
Calt makes this case for Charlie Patton in his liner notes to Yazoo's
Founder of the Delta Blues). Tuning down has some advantages - it
reduces the risk of string breakage, increases sonority, facilitates
bending and reduces that amount of pressure one needs to fret the
strings. The disadvantages are that the overall projection power of the
guitar is reduced and that the strings will tend to buzz more.
Frank