Many bands find that the slight change in pitch hits a sweet spot. Thus, it is a great tuning for bands that want to sound heavy but don`t want to go overboard. It has also been used by heavier bands such as Pantera and Slayer to dish out heavy metal riffs. It is however not excessively heavy, which makes it a versatile tuning that has been used by vastly different bands.Įb standard has been used by Weezer and Green Day to add a bit of extra punch to their sound. While E Flat only provides a half-step of deeper range, this can still lead to a significantly punchier and heavier sound.īecause E standard is so commonly used, this slight change in pitch will make a band sound discernably heavier. Thus, it comes as no surprise that bands and artists opt for this tuning for a wide range of reasons. For tuning purposes, it is however not something you need to pay any mind to.Įb, or D# Standard has been used by artists in a wide range of genres. If you are interested in the theory behind it, there are great resources on the difference between flats and sharps out there. The difference briefly explained, is simply that D# and Eb have different functions depending on their musical context. You can also play them in their original key by playing 1 fret higher up.Ī bass tuned a half step down is referred to as both D# standard, and Eb standard. They will be in a different key, but they will still sound harmonious. As a result, you can play all basslines that are written for E in Eb as well. This means that every string is tuned a perfect fourth apart just like in E standard. Half-step down is a convenient tuning to play in and for making use of your built-up muscle memory. Gaining a half-step of deep range can however make a big difference in what types of basslines you can play. For most bassists, losing 1 half-step of high range is insignificant. When you tune down to Eb, you are sacrificing 1 half-step of high range for 1 additional half-step of deep range. A 5-string bass tuned to Eb is tuned to Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B, but tuning to a Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb is often more convenient. On 4 string basses, this means that the strings are tuned Eb-Ab-Db-Gb. Tuning a bass to Eb means that the strings are tuned a half step down. You can use this information to find out whether tuning your bass a half step down is right for you, and what the pros and cons of doing so are. I will show you what tuning to Eb means, and I`ve made a tuner so that you can easily tune down to it.īelow you will also find a list of the most common reasons musicians choose this tuning, and what strings suit it the best. That`s why I`ve written this guide to tell you everything you need to know about Eb standard. There are however some things you need to be mindful of when tuning your bass a half step down. Eb has also been used for a multitude of purposes, such as sounding heavier, accommodating the vocalist, and for the sake of variety. Bassists have tuned their instruments down half a step in everything from pop to heavy metal. The tuning also has as many uses as it has names. While this can cause some confusion, they are really talking about the same tuning. Depending on who you ask, they will call it half-step down, D# standard, or the Hendrix tuning. Eb standard is a bass tuning with many different names.

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