This is the next tuning
For the 6-string guitar
Bb1-C2-G2-D3-A3-E4
Or for the 12-string guitar the
(Bb1:Bb1)-(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
The -(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)- is a mandocello, while the
(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4) is an Octave mandolin
The main advantages for MELODIC IMPROVISATION of this tuning are:
1) It allows for the ancient isocratic accompanying of fast melodies with an interval of 5 by the two immediate lower strings of the string of the melody
2) The 2-octaves 7-notes scale by alternating intervals of 3 that shape the triad chords in a diatonic scale (called also melodic corridor or wheel by 3rds see post 94 and 79 ) have symmetric representations in this tuning. Of course, this already occurs in the alternating minor-major interval of 3 tuning (A2:A2)-(C3:C3)-(E4:E4)-(G4:G4)-(B4:B4)-(D4:D4).
3) It is uniform tuning for melodies to shift among the strings.
4) The shift higher or lower vertical to the adjacent string or mutation of a melodic theme played horizontally on a string by an interval of 4 or 5 is very easy and symmetric
5) It supports 4 modes of the diatonic scale easily Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian etc
If we consider the Bb1 very bass to play with an ordinary E2-guitar string then the next modification that eliminates it allows for a 3-courses bouzouki-like tuning at the higher 3 strings
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)-(A3:A3)
Another way to sweeten the Bb1 is to add in the pair the 2nd string one octave higher. So in total
(Bb1:Bb2)-(C2:C3)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
or simply re-entrance
(Bb2:Bb2)-(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
If the instrument is 4-courses than obviously, this tuning reduces to the Octave mandolin or mandocello tuning.
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)
This tuning for 4-courses instruments that want to specialize to melodic improvisation more than harmonic improvisation seems to be the best.
If on the other hand both harmonic improvisation and melodic improvisation is required then the mixed tuning
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(B3:B3)-(D3:D3) (5-3M-3m) seems more appropriate.
For the 6-string guitar
Bb1-C2-G2-D3-A3-E4
Or for the 12-string guitar the
(Bb1:Bb1)-(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
The -(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)- is a mandocello, while the
(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4) is an Octave mandolin
The main advantages for MELODIC IMPROVISATION of this tuning are:
1) It allows for the ancient isocratic accompanying of fast melodies with an interval of 5 by the two immediate lower strings of the string of the melody
2) The 2-octaves 7-notes scale by alternating intervals of 3 that shape the triad chords in a diatonic scale (called also melodic corridor or wheel by 3rds see post 94 and 79 ) have symmetric representations in this tuning. Of course, this already occurs in the alternating minor-major interval of 3 tuning (A2:A2)-(C3:C3)-(E4:E4)-(G4:G4)-(B4:B4)-(D4:D4).
3) It is uniform tuning for melodies to shift among the strings.
4) The shift higher or lower vertical to the adjacent string or mutation of a melodic theme played horizontally on a string by an interval of 4 or 5 is very easy and symmetric
5) It supports 4 modes of the diatonic scale easily Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian etc
If we consider the Bb1 very bass to play with an ordinary E2-guitar string then the next modification that eliminates it allows for a 3-courses bouzouki-like tuning at the higher 3 strings
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)-(A3:A3)
Another way to sweeten the Bb1 is to add in the pair the 2nd string one octave higher. So in total
(Bb1:Bb2)-(C2:C3)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
or simply re-entrance
(Bb2:Bb2)-(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(E4:E4)
If the instrument is 4-courses than obviously, this tuning reduces to the Octave mandolin or mandocello tuning.
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)
This tuning for 4-courses instruments that want to specialize to melodic improvisation more than harmonic improvisation seems to be the best.
If on the other hand both harmonic improvisation and melodic improvisation is required then the mixed tuning
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(B3:B3)-(D3:D3) (5-3M-3m) seems more appropriate.
