Seven-string tuning. Guitar tuning

Known to everyone, the seven-string guitar becomes the best guest at any holiday. This musical instrument is played with almost equal success by a beginner and a virtuoso. The Russian seven-string guitar has been known to the inhabitants of our country since at least the end of the 18th century. Since then, music to the seven strings, romances and folk songs delight the ears of our compatriots and music lovers around the world. Today, playing the seven-string guitar is considered folk.

According to legend, the instrument was invented by our compatriot Andrei Osipovich Sikhra. He is believed to have composed over 1,000 pieces of music for her himself. Russian romances have been played to the accompaniment of the seven-string for decades. In the 19th century, the ancient instrument was appreciated by the gypsies, who brought the accessory to South America, giving the second name - "gypsy". The obvious difference between a six-string and a seven-string guitar is the increase in the number of strings by one low bass. This reduces the options for performed works, but allows the reproduction of chamber folk works and complex compositions. It seems to be specially created for Russian folk songs.

The first time the strings of an instrument were plucked in public was in 1793. A small concert took place in the city of Vilna. A little later, Sichra moved to Moscow, where he brought his work.

Another point of view attributes the creation of the seven-string to a native of the Czech Republic, Ignaz von Geld. He worked in the same years as Sychra in St. Petersburg, Moscow. It was the Czech musician and teacher who wrote the textbook on the seven-string guitar, presenting his work to the Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna.

The tool has become very popular and famous. It could be played by both a simple artisan and a nobleman.

Today, this stringed instrument is rarely used on the professional stage. It is used by bards, performing ballads, song compositions. The seven-string guitar was chosen by Bulat Okudzhava, Vladimir Vysotsky, Paul McCartney. She is a soloist in the performance of works by Russian composers. The sound row of notes is distinguished by romanticism and melody.

In our time, a seven-string electric guitar appeared. An additional bass string delivers a deep, vibrant sound, creating original updated chords. They are distinguished by a modified fingering, they serve as the basis for a unique and unusual sound for classical types. The device is popular among extremely heavy types of music: experimental metal, djent, various kora.

Varieties

Over the decades of development, manufacturers have offered musicians various varieties of the "seven-string". There are three types of guitars in total.

Big

Feature - the standard size, typical for classic models. The size of the sounding part of the string (scale) is 650 mm.

Tertz guitar

Has a slightly smaller size. The scale in this model is 585 mm, which provides a B-flat major sound. Refers to the list of transposing instruments, built lower by a minor third. The note row is displayed one tone lower than the standard one. The difference when recording the key C-major in the translation for the tertz guitar in A-major.

quart guitar

It has small dimensions. The scale length is only 550 mm.

Device and equipment

The Russian seven-string is distinguished by its structure. This musical instrument uses only metal strings.

Drum: material, components

The body or drum is preferably made of natural wood. A languid, deep sound forms a hollow body. Wooden decks are installed inside. They are placed in accordance with the Scherzer system, which involves parallel fastening, creating stiffeners.

The body is made of two wooden decks connected by side shells. In the center is a round hole called a rosette. Buttons and strings are installed directly below it. The top deck is completely flat. The bottom has a slightly convex surface.

Neck: material, components, fastening

A distinctive characteristic of the Russian 7-ki is the method of manufacturing and fastening the neck. Screw elements connect it to the drum. By twisting the screws to different levels, the string tension threshold is set at different heights, forming an original sound range. The higher the threshold is set, the more effort is required when iterating. Due to the height adjustment, it is convenient to adjust the seven-string guitar depending on the preferences of the performer. On the frets, circles of mother-of-pearl or bone are often installed, which can be in the range of 19-24.

How to choose strings

The national Russian instrument is equipped only with metal elements. Depending on the thickness, the following names are found:

• the thinnest is a fifth;
• second - medium thickness;
• with a maximum thickness - a third.

On the subsequent silk winding is performed. A metal thread is wound over it. Each successive string has a lower pitch. The build and sound are checked by playing the string. The change in tone is carried out by twisting the pegs. A tuning fork can help with tuning.

The alternative used to be gut strings. Most often pulled on expensive handmade models. Recently, metal has sometimes been replaced by nylon. It doesn't affect the sound quality very much.

musical properties

An additional lower bass string forms the original tonality of the music. A chamber velvety sound is formed, emphasizing the melody of song compositions.

build

Due to the introduction of an additional string by either a Russian or a Czech musician, an original tuning is formed - an octave lower than the traditional sound of the six-string classics (from D of the first octave to D of a large octave for a large model). The quarter-tert system is formed in a key performed in a major sound, it belongs to the mixed type. The range of sound heights ranges from part of a large octave, through a small, first and up to part of the second. It covers three full octaves in total.

Setting

When tuning, the sound of a string is evaluated in comparison with two adjacent ones. One of the neighbors remains open during setup. The second is clamped, set to a certain selected fret. The first becomes the base. This is where the adjustment starts.

Important! Each fret on the fretboard should be half a tone lower than the next.

Tuning can also be done with the tuner.

Key

Given the main task of the seven-string (performing Russian national music), the major key initially became the main key. The easiest in this series is the major G. The subdominant and dominant are major Do and D. Also used in the minor row from E to C. The remaining keys for the Russian seven-string guitar are difficult.

Differences between a seven-string guitar and a six-string

The Russian or gypsy guitar today is not very different from its prototype - a model with 6 strings. The key feature, as already mentioned, is the introduction of an additional bass in the bottom row, which is tuned in the C contra octave.

The devices have a fundamentally different version of the structure:

1. The six-string stacks in the following order: mi, si, salt, re, la, mi. What is a quarter system.
2. The seven-string uses a different way: re, si, salt, re, si, salt, re. This version of the system is called tertsovym. A tuning fork La is used for tuning. If there is no tuning fork, the D sound is used for adjustment. Bayan can be used.

Attention! Most of today's compositions are written for the six-string.

Significant differences are observed in electric guitars with 6 and 7 strings on the fretboard. The lower bass is especially appreciated by heavy metal performers. In this case, by connecting an amplifier, chords for a seven-string guitar become bright, deep, and saturated.

Playing the seven-string guitar

The first seven-string guitar lesson starts with getting the basic skills. An important role is played by the correct fit of the musician, how he places his hands, whether he knows how to properly tune the musical range.

Game technique

It is convenient to play only sitting. It is recommended that you choose the right chair, the height of which should correspond to the height of the musician. When laying on the leg, the upper canvas slightly rests on the chest, is located at shoulder level. The playing hand, usually the right one, rests against the wide part of the body.

The position of the body must be stable. To increase the level of this characteristic, a low bench is substituted under the leg on which the device is placed. For right-handers, it is installed under the left leg. It is convenient for left-handers to put under the right. The second leg is slightly set aside.

When performing, the thumb is placed on the bass strings. The remaining fingers, except for the little finger, which does not take part in the game, move towards the palm. The thumb, not falling on them, moves towards them. Most often, sound extraction occurs at the bottom of the outlet.

Exercises

When performing exercises at the initial stage, the game is played on open strings. This method helps to master the extraction of sounds by hitting the strings with the thumb. The left hand at first remains lowered along the body. The training is aimed at developing the skills of an actively playing hand. Her thumb is set on the 7th string. The index is located on the third, the middle - on the second, and the nameless - on the first. To start playing, you need to lightly press the string. Meanwhile, the thumb slides down, moving down a string. At the same time, the remaining fingers extract sounds from "their" strings.

Exercises are repeated by moving the thumb up to 4 strings. It is recommended to practice skills until the fingers remember the order of movements.

Chords for seven-string guitar

Beginning musicians can use the following chords when learning:

1. C, in which the thumb is placed on the second string of the first row. The triad that is produced when using the barre is located on the first fret.
2. The G chord is played with the free left hand on empty strings.
3. The thumb pinches the 6th bass string when the player strikes an E chord.

Am, Dm, F and H can be used. The location of the fingers during execution is indicated in the table, which can be found in any music textbooks.

Here you can tune a seven-string guitar through a microphone using online tuner.
As well as tune the guitar by ear using the recorded guitar string sounds in different tunings for 7-string guitar.

How to tune a 7 string guitar?

A seven-string guitar is tuned in the same way as a six-string guitar.
The only difference is that the 7-string guitar has one more, thickest, string - the lower B (si).
In order to tune it, you need to hold down the 6th string E (mi) at the 5th fret, as a result, we get the sound of an open 7th string.

Instructions for tuning a guitar with an online tuner:

1.Plug in your microphone

2. Press the "Allow" button on the tuner.

3. Take one note and look at the tuner.
The tuner will display the name of the note played, and the accuracy of its tuning.
If the green pointer on the scale deviates to the right of the letter, then the string is overstretched, if to the left of the letter, then it is not stretched.
You need to change the tension of the string by releasing or tightening it with the tuning pegs.

If the sound of the guitar string matches the standard, the letter will turn green.
And this means that this note sounds correct, and it will be possible to tune other strings.

Seven-string guitar tuning

For a seven-string guitar, there are many different options for guitar tuning: the main ones are standard, Russian, as well as - lower tunings, Dropped builds and others.

1.Standard tuning of a seven-string guitar - BEADGBE

• 1st string - E (Mi) (the thinnest)
• 2nd string - B (B)
• 3rd string - G (Sol)
• 4th string - D (D)
• 5th string - A (La)
• 6th string - E (Mi)
• 7th string - B (B)

2. "Russian" system - d¹bgdBGD

Mostly used by bards. The guitar in this tuning is tuned in G major on open strings. This system is also called "Open G".

• 5th string - note B (Si) of a large octave

3. Gypsy minor scale - d¹b♭gdB♭GD

Its difference from the standard Russian tuning is that instead of a major quadruple-sext chord, a minor one is used: the 2nd and 5th strings are lowered by half a tone.

In this tuning, the strings are tuned as follows:

• 1st string - note d¹ (Re) of the first octave
• 3rd string - note g (Sol) of a small octave
• 4th string - note d (Re) of a small octave
• 5th string - note B♭ (B-flat) of the big octave
• 6th string - note G (Sol) of a large octave
• 7th string - note D (Re) of a large octave

Naturally, with such tunings, the fingerings of the chords will differ from those usual for 6-string guitars.

4. Reduced tunings of a seven-string guitar

Some guitarists tune their instruments lower or higher than standard to match the sound of the instrument when played to the player's voice.

Bb action- Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb- Tuned a semitone below the standard.
A system- A-D-G-C-F-A-D - One tone below standard.
G# system- G#-C#-F#-B-E-G#-C# - 3 semitones below standard.
G system- G-C-F-A#-D#-G-C - 2 tones below standard.
F# build-F#-B-E-A-D-F#-B- 5 semitones below standard.

5. Dropped-tuning a seven-string guitar

In these tunings, the seventh string is tuned a tone lower than usual.

Drop A-A-E-A-D-G-B-E- The same as the standard, but with the seventh one tone lower.
Drop Ab- Ab-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb- Half step below Drop A.
Drop G-G-D-G-C-F-A-D- One tone below Drop A.
Drop F#- F#-C#-F#-B-E-G#-C# - 3 semitones below Drop. A

6. Other tunings of the seven-string guitar

6.1.Stroy Sergey Nikitina (performer, composer) - d¹ b♭gdсGD:

1st string - note d¹ (Re) of the first octave
2nd string - note b♭ (B flat) small octave
3rd string - note g (Sol) of a small octave
4th string - note d (Re) of a small octave
6th string - note G (Sol) of a large octave
7th string - note D (Re) of a large octave

6.2.The system of Bulat Okudzhava and Vera Matveeva - d¹bgdсGD:

1st string - note d¹ (Re) of the first octave
2nd string - note b (Si) of a small octave
3rd string - note g (Sol) of a small octave
4th string - note d (Re) of a small octave
5th string - note from (Do) small octave
6th string - note G (Sol) of a large octave
7th string - note D (Re) of a large octave

6.2. And others:

Open E- BEBEG#BE
Open A- AEAEAC#E
Open D- ADADF#AD
Open B-BD#BD#F#BD#
Drop D Drop A- ADADGBE
C 6th- CEGCGAE
jazz tuning- AEADGBE
Lute tuning- BEADF#BE
Blues tuning (Fourths tuning)- BEADGCF
Jimmy Page tuning- ADADGAD
Rain Song tuning- CDGCCGCD
Major 3rds- EAbCEAbCE
GDAEBGBA- modified Robert Fripp New Standard Tuning

According to the musicians, the Russian seven-string classical guitar is the most romantic instrument that has a rich history. This article will introduce the reader in detail to this truly charismatic instrument.

It is immediately worth noting that the seven-string classical guitar comes in four types:

1. Classic. Contains the normal tuning with an added B (B) bass note. Oddly enough, its only advantage is the expansion of the bass range. This also includes a seven-string electric guitar.
2. Mexican. with two necks and, accordingly, 14 strings. Each group of strings can be tuned differently, this is the advantage of the Mexican guitar. However, its production has almost completely stopped.
3. The Brazilian guitar is almost indistinguishable from the classical guitar, with the exception of minor design innovations.
4. Russian. The most popular type Hundreds of professional musicians from all over the world (including such masters as Paul McCartney and Bulat Okudzhava) appreciated its peculiar character. This article will be devoted to this guitar.

A Brief History of the Russian Seven-String Guitar

Andrei Sikhra, the founder of Russian guitar music, the author of more than a thousand compositions, is rightfully considered the father of the Russian seven-string guitar. The debut of the Russian seven-string took place in Vilnius in 1793.

guitar construction

It is worth mentioning that the Russian seven-string classical guitar is almost completely different from the usual acoustic. Despite the obvious one small difference, the designers radically redesigned its device. tuning and playing on which are a little specific will require increased skills from the musician (barre, for example, it will be more difficult to take).

• Firstly, the tuning on the Russian guitar is completely different - D (the thickest string), G, H, d, g, h, d1 (where the notes are with a small letter, this means that the note is an octave higher than the one that written with a capital). There are other tunings, but this is already information for enthusiasts, because they are rarely used.
• Secondly, the Russian guitar uses only metal strings. No nylon.
• Thirdly, the neck is attached to the body with a screw that determines the angle of the neck.
• And fourthly, a different arrangement of slats inside the case.

As you can see, the structural difference is quite large, but a classical instrument is no more complicated than a 7-string guitar, tuning of which has never been a problem for guitarists. Even novice musicians easily managed to get used to the new design.

Guitar tuning and playing

How can a 7-string guitar, whose tuning is so linear and simple, cause problems for beginners? Of course not! For tuning, a classic tuning fork, tuner and ear are used (you can use all together).

When tuning a seven-string guitar by ear, the easiest way is to first tune the very first string (D note) according to the standard (it can be the fourth string on a regular guitar, a piano key, or an audio recording from the Internet). You can also use an internet tuner.

Now you can tune the rest of the strings relative to the already tuned first. Here is a step by step mini-instruction describing how to tune the first string of the guitar and then all the others:

1. The second string at the third fret should sound like an open first string.
2. The third string on the fourth fret is like the second open.
3. The fourth on the fifth fret is like the third.
4. The fifth on the third fret is like the fourth.
5. The sixth on the fourth fret is like the fifth.
6. The seventh on the fifth fret is like the sixth.

This is worth doing, even without experience, because guitar tuning is the gray everyday life of a guitarist. By the way, strings for a 7-string guitar are absolutely easy to get for residents of big cities - you can always find a couple of sets in music stores, but those who live in small towns will have to order them in an online store.

What to play on a seven-string guitar?

The range of genres covered on the Russian seven-string guitar is even smaller than on the classical one. It is categorically not suitable for most genres. Her genres are folk ballads, romances, plays and bard melodies. The melodies of Vladimir Vysotsky are great for learning - they are relatively simple and recognizable (there will be something to brag about in the company). Tabs should also be "seven-string".

Yes, by the way, it is not easy - a 7-string will be required not only for the strings, but also for the hands. You will have to completely relearn how to clamp chords on such an instrument. The pressing technique will remain completely the same, and the positions of the fingers will be different, even in chords of the same name.

In addition, they will require more endurance from the fingers than nylon ones. You will have to suffer for some time until working calluses form.

In general, the adjustment period for mid-range guitarists takes about a month.