March 2009 \ Premier Clinic \ Acoustic & Fingerstyle \ Pentatonic Tuning: C, F, C, G, A, D

Pentatonic Tuning: C, F, C, G, A, D

Steve Eckels

Instructions for pentatonic tuning, and a tune to try it out.


Premier Guitar March 2009


from Steve Eckels' Mastering Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar
TUNING INSTRUCTIONS FROM STANDARD TUNING:
Lower the 6th string E two whole steps to C.
Match the open 5th string to the 5th fret of the 6th string.
Match the open 4th string to the 7th fret of the 5th string.
Match the open 3rd string to the 7th fret of the 4th string.
Match the open 2nd string to the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
Match the open 1st string to the 5th fret of the 2nd string.
String intervals: 4th, 5th, 5th, 2nd, 4th.


Listen

In the A section of "Global Unity," drum on the strings with the fingers of the right hand where indicated with the X’s. In the B section, pluck the strings close to the bridge (ponticello). In the C and E sections, some harmonics are sounded by placing the i finger at the desired fret and plucking with the a finger (i/a). In the E section, lightly drum on the strings with the 4th and 3rd fingers of the left hand where indicated with the X’s. In the F section, use the wrist of the right hand to drum against the neck just above the soundhole where indicated with the X’s.

Observations by section:
A - Two stopped, or fretted, strings (4/2) and (1/2)
B - Two stopped strings (6/4) and (4/2)
C - Three stopped strings (5/4/2)
D - Two stopped strings (5/1) and (6/4)
E - Two stopped strings (1/2) create a left hand ostinato while the right hand plays harmonics and tapped triple stops
F - Two stopped strings (4/2) as part of a strum pattern.

Global Unity
Download Audio




     

Related Articles

Acoustic Adventures: Rhythm of the Heart - Tackling the Bridge in “Rhythm” Changes
Fingerstyle Boot Camp: “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” Arrangement


Comments

(2 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Cibo
on 04/25/2013
I am using this Pentatonic tuning - A C D E G A
Frank
on 02/28/2009
Awesome piece! This is my intro to tapping and drumming. I thought it was too difficult but after practicing for a couple weeks it sounds good.



Your Comment:  

All comments are subject to editing or deletion by the Premier Guitar staff.

Your Name:  


Please enter the text you see in the image:  
10

C95A1F48-BCBE-41F6-80F6-86EDCB301036