Among alternative tunings for the guitar, all-fourths tuning is a regular tuning.: In contrast, the standard tuning has one irregularity—a major third between the third and second strings—while having perfect fourths between the other successive strings. The standard tuning's irregular major-third is replaced by a perfect fourth in all-fourths tuning, which has the open notes E2-A2-D3-G3-C4-F4.
Among regular tunings, this all-fourths tuning best approximates the standard tuning.
In all guitar tunings, the higher-octave version of a chord can be found by translating a chord by twelve frets higher along the fretboard. In every regular tuning, for example in all-fourths tuning, chords and intervals can be moved also diagonally. For all-fourths tuning, all twelve major chords (in the first or open positions) are generated by two chords, the open F major chord and the D major chord. The regularity of chord-patterns reduces the number of finger positions that need to be memorized. Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical".:
Among all regular tunings, all-fourths tuning E-A-D-G-C-F is the best approximation of standard tuning, which is more popular. All-fourths tuning is traditionally used for the bass guitar; it is also used for the bajo sexto.
Allan Holdsworth stated that if he were to learn the guitar again he would tune it in all-fourths.
Relation with all-fifths tuning
All-fourths tuning is closely related to all-fifths tuning. All-fourths tuning is based on the perfect fourth (five semitones), and all-fifths tuning is based on the perfect fifth (seven semitones). The perfect-fifth and perfect-fourth intervals are inversions of one another, and the chords of all-fourth and all-fifths are paired as inverted chords. Consequently, chord charts for all-fifths tunings may be used for left-handed all-fourths tuning.
Players who use all fourths tuning Stanley Jordan Alex Hutchings Tom Quayle Deirdre Cartwright Graham Young Ant Law (E♭2, A♭2, D♭3, G♭3, B3, E4) Gyárfás István Miki Birta (D2, G2, C3, F3, B♭3, E♭4) Folk Iván Icaro Jorge Pulecio Mike Mushok is using a Drop-G# all-fourths tuning
See also
Scordatura, alternative tunings of stringed instruments Laúd and bandurria, Spanish six-course plucked string instruments tuned in fourths Puerto Rican cuatro, five-course plucked string instrument tuned in fourths :commons:Category:Perfect fourths tuning charts and diagrams for P4 tuning
Notes
References
Further reading
republication of A manual for playing the guitar in fourths (Catalona Enterprises, pp. 1–64)
External links
Zhille's guitar blog: Perfect fourths (P4) tuning–Basics and examples Lessons and articles on fourths tuning using Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B-E Introduction to All Fourths Tuning + Free PDF Reference Guide r/allfourthstuning sub-reddit for all fourths tuning