Axl Rose/Tuning Down

John Musselwhite john@musselwhite.com
Sat, 20 Nov 2004 19:34:53 -0700


At 03:25 PM 11/20/04 -0700, Kurt wrote:

>The piano was tuned a half step flat because... that's just the way Axel 
>has his pianos tuned.
>Why? Ask him.
>
>No one there could tell me.

More than a few modern guitarists, particularly Fender Strat players it 
seems, like to tune a half or even full step low because of the general 
effect it has on the guitar's sound in addition to making it easier to do 
some wicked string bending without suffering the tonal loss from using 
lighter strings. As well, some rock vocalists (like me!) who can't hit 
anything higher than an F like tuning down because it makes it easier to 
hit the higher notes when the band's playing in E, as E is an easy key for 
guitar players.

Or maybe Axl (the correct spelling to make the anagram work) just grew up 
with a piano that was a semi-tone flat and that's where he's comfortable.

Either way it sounds like it was a cool gig!

                 John



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