Tuning C2 C3 D3 G3 A3 D4

bartbrn
Posts: 0
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 9:09 am
Status: Offline

Wed May 18, 2011 2:20 pm

Believing that a man's reach should exceed his grasp, I've been looking at some explanations, tutorials, and videos of the late, great Michael Hedges' songs. Hedges rarely -- if ever -- played in standard tuning, and so, as part of many Hedges tutorials, his particular tunings for particular songs are noted. For example, one of his best known songs (and Albums), Aerial Boundaries, is shown to be tuned: C2 C3 D3 G3 A3 D4. I understand the C C D G A D part, but I don't understand the 2 3 3 3 3 4 part. Can someone please explain to me what is meant by the numbers following the notes here?

Didn't know where else to put this question, so I hope it's OK here.

Thanks!

Bart


reiver
Posts: 0
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:30 am
Status: Offline

Wed May 18, 2011 3:38 pm

Bart

I believe the numerical suffix is known as the octave designation. Middle C is C4 and the notes in the C scale from this note and up are all 4s. The notes below middle C are 3s until the next C which is C3.........and so on. Thus, standard tuning on a guitar is E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4. In the tuning you list it clarifies that there is an octave between the low Cs. Hope this helps.

Stuart


Post Reply Previous topicNext topic