Standard tuning


In music, standard tuning refers to the typical tuning of a string instrument. This notion is contrary to that of scordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either the timbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.

Violin family

The most popular bowed strings used nowadays belong to the violin family; together with their respective standard tunings, they are:

Viol family

The double bass is properly the contrabass member of the viol family. Its smaller members are tuned in ascending fourths, with a major third in the middle, as follows:
A more recent family is the violin octet, which also features a standardized tuning system.

Guitar family

[Image:Guitar standard tuning.png|thumb|right|Guitar standard tuning (written an octave higher than it sounds).]
Image:D-over-F-sharp slash chord.png|thumb|right|D/F♯ slash chord.
Guitars and bass guitars have more standard tunings, depending on the number of strings an instrument has.six-string guitar – E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4. Low E falls a major third above the C on a standard-tuned cello.Renaissance lute – E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3 E4 seven-string guitar – B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 four-string bass guitar – E1 A1 D2 G2 five-string bass – B0 E1 A1 D2 G2.six-string bass – B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3.Baritone / 6 string bass such as the Fender Bass VI – E1 A1 D2 G2 B2 E3 Baritone guitar – B1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3 a fourth below standard tuning, although A1 to A3; a fifth lower is also used.12-string guitar E3 E2 A3 A2 D4 D3 G4 G3 B3 B3 E4 E4 in six two-string courses.

Other

Other plucked string instruments and their respective standard tunings include: