Hello ,
Graham is me,
Just wondering I'm playing in hell ill be in good company by dead South,
I'm playing self taught couple of years so technical end of things I'm not great.
It recommends tuning second string to b flat,I'm clueless as how to do this because the app tuners I have just tell you that you are close or far from b.
Many many thanks
Your tuner should show A#. Tune it to that. It’s basically the same thing, although someone will probably take the time to explain why A# and Bb are slightly different.
To add to what John said, it might help to loosen the second (B) string a good bit so that it is tuned to A or lower. Then gradually tighten it/increase the pitch until you come up to A#/Bb. And if you want to hear the tone of that note, then fret your third sting at the 3rd fret and pluck the string. Assuming that your third string is tuned to G, the note at the third fret will be a A#/Bb. You can actually tune your open 2nd string to that note without the tuner.
As John said, A# and B flat are the same note no matter what some wiseacre might try to tell you. Tuning the string down a half step to B flat will put you in the key of G minor. I use that tuning to play When Johnny Comes Marching Home.
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenAs John said, A# and B flat are the same note no matter what some wiseacre might try to tell you.
Hear that? It's the sound of 1000 jazz musicians marching towards us to set the record straight. 
I rarely retune, but when I do its by accident….
Edited by - chuckv97 on 07/10/2024 10:14:32
Ah thanking everyone so much cheers
That gives you Gm tuning, useful for several tunes and songs.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesquote:
Originally posted by CullodenAs John said, A# and B flat are the same note no matter what some wiseacre might try to tell you.
Hear that? It's the sound of 1000 jazz musicians marching towards us to set the record straight.
A# and B flat are definitely the same note. And there definitely is an A# note, there just is no key of A#.
why that is I will leave to the theory forum, or whoever wants to go into it here.
as to tuners, you might want to get one that shows Bb. I use a phone app called clear tune. I think it cost three bucks.
quote:
Originally posted by Laurence Diehlquote:
Originally posted by KCJonesquote:
Originally posted by CullodenAs John said, A# and B flat are the same note no matter what some wiseacre might try to tell you.
Hear that? It's the sound of 1000 jazz musicians marching towards us to set the record straight.
why that is I will leave to the theory forum, or whoever wants to go into it here.
as to tuners, you might want to get one that shows Bb. I use a phone app called clear tune. I think it cost three bucks.
Cheers
Edited by - Nutser on 07/10/2024 14:31:29
The method is to learn the frequency divisions that define our musical intervals. Then set A to 432 hertz, and extrapolate from there. Good tuners will let you adjust the A frequency.
Do not fall for A-440hz. A440 is a wide gate and broad road. Do not follow that path.
Edited by - KCJones on 07/10/2024 14:52:48
quote:
Originally posted by NutserIt recommends tuning second string to b flat,I'm clueless as how to do this because the app tuners I have just tell you that you are close or far from b.
Are you familiar with the method of tuning a banjo "to itself" without a tuner? It's where you tune the low 4th string to a note that sounds good (even though it may not be precisely D). Then you tune the 3rd string G to match 4th string at 5th fret. Then tune 2nd string B to 3rd string 4th fret. 1st string D to 2nd string 3rd fret. And finally 5th string high G to to 1st string 5th fret. Then adjust all around as needed so the open G chord and several fretted chords sound good.
Why am I telling you this? You only asked about B-flat.
Because B-flat (also A-sharp) is the note at 3rd fret of 3rd string. So if you need to tune the 2nd string to B-flat and can't understand the tuner, you can always lower the 2nd string until it matches the note at 3rd fret of the 3rd string. You're tuning one string to another string. Tuning the banjo to itself.
If you did not know that B-flat is the note at 3rd fret of 3rd string, I encourage you to add "learn the locations of notes on the fretboard" to your to-do list.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesThe method is to learn the frequency divisions that define our musical intervals. Then set A to 432 hertz, and extrapolate from there. Good tuners will let you adjust the A frequency.
Do not fall for A-440hz. A440 is a wide gate and broad road. Do not follow that path.
No matter what anybody else tunes to.
Those concert 440 people need to get with the new program...
Stick to yer guns! 432 or bust! lol
In an ensemble setting you should just all tune to each other anyway.
Playing in an ensemble where every string on every instrument is tuned individually with a tuner sounds terrible, regardless of what your frequency benchmark is.
I believe when all instruments are in tune with their own tuners the sound of the group is fine.
I'm not a Snark user.I depend on an old Korg DT-2 that shows 50 "cents" sharp or flat (and also matches out of tune pianos.
Edited by - steve davis on 07/12/2024 10:16:40
Just remember that B-flat is a note or a key, not a vocal instruction.
Or maybe it is!?!
quote:
Originally posted by steve davisI believe when all instruments are in tune with their own tuners the sound of the group is fine.
I agree with you. Lots of players think they can (must) tune by ear, but that's where things can end up sounding terrible. Modern tuners are pretty darned accurate once you learn how to read them consistently. d'Addario are the easiest to read in my opinion.
quote:
Originally posted by Nutserbecause the app tuners I have just tell you that you are close or far from b.
Some tuners/settings have a specific instrument tuning; (for example guitar setting only registers the open strings, EADGBE). Some might have a gDGBD banjo setting. You have to make sure you are using a chromatic setting (which most have as default). As mentioned they will likely say sharp notes rather than flat...i.e. A# rather than Bb.
quote:
Originally posted by KCJonesThe method is to learn the frequency divisions that define our musical intervals. Then set A to 432 hertz, and extrapolate from there. Good tuners will let you adjust the A frequency.
Do not fall for A-440hz. A440 is a wide gate and broad road. Do not follow that path.
That A=432 is just a bunch of pseudoscience nonsense.
Has no magic property to it, over A=440, or any other number.
It's just a reference pitch, doesn't affect the frequency divisions that define intervals; that is they stay relative no matter the starting reference pitch.
Yes g-minor tuning, lowering the b string to A# gives your banjo a beautiful sad tone, I use it for ghost chickens in the Sky, a parody of ghost riders in the sky, it is a cool key, Mozart s favorite , Dead South use it, play around with it and you will amaze your friends and fellow musicians. You can also raise the B string to C and play in a g- modal key which is also a beautiful banjo sound, Clawhammer banjo players use it often but 3 finger folks can use it as well, try Shady Grove in g model cool stuff.
