Alternate tuning - Matching recorded versions

I'm curious how other people handle this.

I recently started a cover band and we're running into a lot of alternate tunings; standard, Drop D, 1/2 step down, drop Db, etc. People want to be able to learn the songs by playing along with the tracks but matching pitch will require more retuning, guitar switches, etc. when you play out.

My feeling is that you worry about alternate tunings only when you learn the songs; Ex. tune down a 1/2 step so you can play a tune in E instead of Eb to match the recorded version. When you practice as a group you disregard the fact that it's tuned lower; Ex. you play in E on a guitar with standard tuning.

Here are the two possible downsides I see.
1) The singer would logically prefer to practice with the recording in the exact same key we will play in. However, I think he will probably be able to compensate for 1/2 step difference without even knowing it (unless the song pushes his upper register).

2) The bass player doesn't want to retune to play along with/learn the songs. I think it will ultimately make things a lot easier for him if he plays by position instead of absolute pitch. Playing in E or A has GOT to be easier than playing in Eb or Ab on a standard tuned bass, right?

Interested in hearing everybody's opinion.

Brian C.

In my experience, it's pretty much based around the singer. Find a range that you guys sound good in and stick to that. For us, we play everything in Drop C# (Drop Db, but I always call it C# because of the chromatic tuner). Which is basically everything a half step down (Eb tuning) and then the E string dropped to C# (or Db if you want to think of it that way).

Find 1 tuning that works for your singers voice and make that YOUR "standard" tuning for the band. That way you play everything in that range and don't have to keep re-tuning or switching guitars.

Like I mentioned, our band plays in drop tuning, but we do some covers that are in normal tuning (Eb standard tuning). So the only re-tuning we ever do is just bringing the low E string up or down a step.

The only problem I see is if you have a floyd rose/floating bridge setup. Can't just tune 1 string up and down because it will throw everything else off. Good thing I play bass for the band so I don't have to worry about any of that :cool: That's where having 2 instruments to switch between comes in handy. Have 1 in drop tuning and another in standard (whatever your bands standard is) and you should be good with anything.

As far as being a cover band though, I'm not too sure. I guess it depends how picky your crowd is. If they are going to be disappointed that you are playing in Eb and not Standard, then you have quite a picky audience.