181. THE (C2:C2)-(G2:G2)-(B3:B3)-(D3:D3) (5-3M-3m) OR (D3:D3)-(A3:A3)-(D3:D3)-(F4:F4) (5-4-3m) OPEN TUNING FOR 4-COURSES INSTRUMENTS

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}

<sub>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</sub> 


and 

G₃-C₄-E₄-G₄.   or A2-D2-F#3-D₄.

4-3M-3m
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

and also the

4-5-5

D2-G2-D3-A3   which does have triads in the 5-5 part and also in the 4-5 part, and also it allows for isocratic tuning.


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