In music,standard tuning refers to the typicaltuning of astring instrument. This notion is contrary to that ofscordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either thetimbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.
Viola – C3 G3 D4 A4 (a perfect fifth below a violin's standard tuning)
Cello – C2 G2 D3 A3 (an octave lower than the viola)
Double bass – E1 A1 D2 G2 (ascendingperfect fourths, where the highest sounding open string coincides with the G on a cello).
Double bass with a low C extension – C1 E1 A1 D2 G2 (the same, except for low C, which is amajor third below the low E on a standard 4-string double bass)
5-stringed double bass – B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 (a low B is added, so the tuning remains in perfect fourths)
The double bass is properly the contrabass member of theviol family. Its smaller members are tuned in ascending fourths, with a major third in the middle, as follows:
Treble viol – D3 G3 C4 E4 A4 D5 (ascending perfect fourths with the exception of a major third between strings 3 and 4)
Tenor viol – G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 G4 (a perfect fifth below the treble viol)
Bass viol – D2 G2 C3 E3 A3 D4 (an octave lower than the treble viol)
Guitar standard tuning (written an octave higher than it sounds).D/F♯slash chordPlayⓘ.
Guitars andbass guitars have more standard tunings, depending on the number of strings an instrument has.
six-string guitar (the most common configuration) – E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (ascending perfect fourths, with an exception between G and B, which is amajor third). Low E falls a major third above the C on a standard-tuned cello.
Renaissance lute – E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3 E4 (used by classical guitarists for certain pieces; identical to standard guitar tuning, except for the F♯, lowered one semitone from the standard G string, placing the major third between 3rd and 4th rather than 2nd and 3rd strings)
seven-string guitar – B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (identical, except for the low B, which is a perfect fourth below the low E on a 6-stringed guitar)
four-string bass guitar (most popular) – E1 A1 D2 G2 (its standard tuning coincides with that of a 4-stringed double bass)
five-string bass – B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 (identical to 4-stringed bass with the addition of a low B string a perfect fourth below the E).
six-string bass – B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 (identical to 5-stringed bass with the addition of a high C string a perfect fourth above the G).
Baritone (older use) /6 string bass (older use) such as theFender Bass VI – E1 A1 D2 G2 B2 E3 (Similar to a standard guitar but an octave lower, and often played like a standard guitar rather than a bass guitar.)
Baritone guitar (contemporary versions) – B1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3 a fourth below standard tuning, although A1 to A3; a fifth lower is also used.
12-string guitar E3 E2 A3 A2 D4 D3 G4 G3 B3 B3 E4 E4 in six two-string courses.
