If both harmonic improvisation and melodic improvisation is required then the mixed tuning
(C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(B2:B2)-(D3:D3) (5-3M-3m) seems appropriate.
Also
(C3:C3)-(G3:G3)-(B3:B3)-(D4:D4)
The 5 main advantages for HARMONIC AND 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 in the 5-3M part
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 either in the 3M-3m part .
4) The shift higher or lower by an interval of 4 or 5 vertical to strings which is usually a mutation of a melodic theme played horizontally on a string is feasible in the 5- part
5) It allows for both melodic improvisation with isocratic accompanying by intervals of 5 and harmonic improvisation with easy to play in 1 or 2 frets major-minor triads.
6) It allows strumming only on the 3-lower strings
It is probably the best optimal tuning when both harmonic and melodic improvisation is required in
percentages of 60%-40% for a 4-courses instrument .
But if conversely the requirements conversely in harmony and melody, in other words, harmonic and melodic improvisation is required in percentages of 40%-60% for a 4-courses instrument, the most probably the best tunig is the 5-5-5 (e.g. G2-D3-A3 or C2-G3-D4)
There is, of course, a minor version 5-3m-3M E.g.
(A2:A2)-(E3:E3)-(G3:G3)-(B3:B3) (5-3m-3M)
In case we want to keep the 3-courses Bouzouki in it e.g. D3-A3-D4 then the tuning should be
(D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(D3:D3)-(F4:F4) (5-4-3m) or
(G2:G2)-(D3:D3)-(G3:G3)-(B3:B3) (5-4-3M) THEY ARE OPEN Dm and G tunings respectively!
There are also overtone open tuning for 4-courses instruments (see post 191)
which are the
For a 4-courses instrument like a bouzouki or ukulele or octave mandolin two relevant overtone open tunings tunings are the
C3-G3-C4-E4 or C2-G2-C3-E3 OR D3-A3-D4-F#4
or D2-A2-D3-G3
5-4-3M
THIS IS USED ALSO IN SWEDEN AND SCANDINAVIA FOR THE 4-STRING VIOLIN AS OPEN a MAJOR CHORD TUNING AND IT IS CALLED TROLL (MAGICAL) OVERTONE TUNING
and
THIS IS USED ALSO IN SWEDEN AND SCANDINAVIA FOR THE 4-STRING VIOLIN AS OPEN a MAJOR CHORD TUNING AND IT IS CALLED TROLL (MAGICAL) OVERTONE TUNING
and
G3-C4-E4-G4. or A2-D2-F#3-D4.
4-3M-3m
Or
Or
C2C3-C3C3-E3E3-G3G3
8-3M-3m
And also the 4-5-4
D2-G2-D3-G3
which because of the 4-5 part it does have major-minor triads within 2-3 frets, and at the same time with the 5 part, it allows for isocratic by 5th playing on the highest string.
It is also an open power chord tuning
It is also an open power chord tuning
and also the
4-5-5
4-5-5
By permuting the melodic tuning for 4-courses instruments, 3m-3M-3m which is an open tuning we get the 5-6m-5 which is again open tuning but with intervals of 5. IT IS AN OPEN TUNING
E.g.
A2-E3-C4-G4 OPEN TUNING FOR Am7
or
E2-B3-G4-D4 OPEN TUNING FOR Em7
