Negative effects of non-standard tuning?

Stompbox

Basically my vocal register falls short of the notes used in certain songs when playing in standard tuning and for this reason I tune my guitar down a full-step. which I find far more accomodating for my voice. I was just wondering if there could be any negative implications from doing this,whether it impedes note identification or stuff like that? Should I be concentrating on improving my voice rather than changing my guitar tuning? Thanks!

It wasn't me!

No, not really, what you're doing is perfectly normal. Of course, improving yourself anyway should always be the goal, but certainly wouldn't focus on having to sing in a certain register. Will take away from your voice anyway more than likely.

John

A full step isn't a huge difference from normal tuning so I wouldn't worry about a lack of tension or anything like that. Just make sure your intonation is set up for the lower tuning, your notes might be slightly off but all you need to do is make some minor adjustments and you'll be fine.

Stompbox

Thanks for the info lads, I'd be more worried about the effects it may have on my knowledge of theory or things like that?

silasrat

if anything it will have a positive effect on ur knowledge of music theory, its very useful knowing how play songs in different keys,u can try not changing the tuning of ur guitar but instead change the chord sequence to a different key ie: if the chords are f#...B....D... then down a step would be E... A.. and C.... then u could sing in ur own range but not have to mess wit the guitar too much,you'll also get a much better understanding of how chord progresions,keys etc work on the guitar.

hulkey

If you want to transpose a song quickly and see what it sounds like before you learn it in a different key.

for example a song in A minor might be Amin Fmaj Cmaj Gmaj, right?

Transposing this down a half step gives G#min Emaj Bmaj F#maj, but that means figuring out the new progression relearning the tune then trying to sing the song.

download audacity and use the pitch shifter effect.

if you use this program, you can keep pitch shifting the tune up or down to see if you can sing along first then work out what the chords are, great stuff.

its shareware and an altogether fantastic program.

and to answer the question transposing songs into different keys if will have a positve effect if any on your knowledge of music theory.

the only negative effect of changing keys to the instrument is as someone else said if you detune your intonation will suffer depending on how much you detune, and if you tune up your fingers might get a little more wear and tear than they are used to. tuning up wont damage modern guitars, old acoustics didn't have strengthening so they tended to bow in the neck if more than average tension was applied, put steel strings on a spanish guitar and see what I mean