Getting Acquainted with Chicago Tuning (4-string DGBE) on CBG | cigar box guitar tutorial

[@johnaustin1825]

Very, very useful - one of the best videos on KZbin. I agree with Danielle - clear solid instruction. Keep 'em coming! Lost John UK

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for that feedback. I post these vids hoping they help someone so I really appreciate it.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's the same tuning as the Baritone Ukulele so we should be ready to rock here, but I did transpose the tuning of my 4 string CBG down two Frets from DGBE to CFAD like a Greek Bouzouki before I've converted it into a 7 string CBG a few weeks later. So with CFAD Lowered Chicago Tuning, C becomes Bb, D becomes C, E becomes D, etc.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking out the vid. There's lots of ways to tune a CBG and they're all great. I could see CFAD being a great tuning.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@musicalmiscellany The 5, 6, & more String CBGs are becoming more popular. CFAD would be great for transposing.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@musicalmiscellany Let's hear CFAD Lowered Chicago Tuning next before we could maybe do a 4 to 6 string CBG Conversion video

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

Nice tutorial. I've got a 4 string banjo tuned to Chicago tuning. What I like the most about it is that it was very easy to get started playing on it since I was already a guitar player. There are other 4 string tunings to try, if you're interested in different voicings for songs you already know how to play. With Chicago tuning, and other 4 string tunings, you often end up creating inversions of chords where the lowest note isn't necessarily the root note. That adds a nice flavor you sometimes don't get on a 6 string guitar where the lowest note in the chord is almost always the root note. It also teaches you how to work around the absence of the two lowest strings on a guitar. Giving a 4 string guitar, banjo, or even a uke a try can really invigorate your playing.

[@musicalmiscellany]

I completely agree. It's a really fun tuning to explore. Thanks for checking out the vid.

[@bobjohnston4325]

I like the Chicago tuning for the same reasons. Even though I still pick up a six string once in awhile I prefer playing the four string CBG's in this tuning.

[@musicalmiscellany]

It is a really nice tuning. All of your ukulele chord forms work on this tuning too but everything is a 5th lower.

[@Rinchenuker]

Thanks for the video. Really helped me see the transition from uke to baritone uke and tenor guitar.

[@musicalmiscellany]

I'm glad it was helpful. I always make these videos hoping they're helpful to somebody so thanks for that feedback... and for watching.

[@garydesrosiers5692]

That'll be one of my next builds,thanks Kale, Enjoy your Memorial Day

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks... and same to you Gary!

[@piercedarrow57]

Kale...THANKS for THIS!!! Man ... I love the Cigar Box Guitar Community!!! SO many Different and Cool styles, tunings, music...just so GREAT!!! Thanks for ALL this info...CHEERS!!!

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching the video. I do these tutorials hoping they help someone. Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep making them.

[@danfrankum6233]

Wow, great blues tuning for me & my harmonica.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for watching. It is certainly a versatile tuning.

[@Tres21]

This tutorial is fantastic!!!

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks my friend. That means a lot.

[@daniellegreenberg9150]

This is so clear and helpful! ...friendly, solid instruction. Thank you!!!

[@musicalmiscellany]

I appreciate you watching. I make these videos hoping they help somebody so that's great feedback.

[@johnaustin1825]

Thanks again - very helpful

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for supporting the channel.

[@stevesstrings5243]

Keep the lessons coming!

[@musicalmiscellany]

I will... and keep tuning in please. :-)

[@SouthernCeltMS]

Good info to know. I learned to play regular 6-string by ear and a chord diagram. Once I got the chords shapes down, I worked out songs by ear although I'd occasionally look up what key the song was best done in. This info for 4-strings fits well with the way I play. Now to get/make a 4-string.

[@musicalmiscellany]

I'm glad it was helpful. It really is a great tuning. I hope you get the perfect 4 stringer. :-)

[@paulvorisek8329]

A great lesson and information for us new players. Same little tune toward the end that you also played when you demo'd your new Hubcap Howler build. Would love to see a lesson on how to play it through on a 3 string. Your always smiling..another great lesson.

[@musicalmiscellany]

I'll have to see if I can adapt it to a 3 string. The nice thing about a 4 is it's so easy to create all those beautiful minor a 7th chords. Sometimes it's a bit more challenging on a 3 string but that doesn't mean it can't be done. Thanks for watching. I plan to keep this series going for a while.

[@mybusiness7663]

Thank you one to watch over and over

[@musicalmiscellany]

I appreciate that. I always want these videos to be helpful to somebody. Thanks for watching.

[@Tres21]

Yes. This is baritone uke tuning. Same chords as on the guitar

[@musicalmiscellany]

Yes indeed. It's very versatile. Thanks for checking out the vid.

[@Tres21]

I’ve been playing with my caramel baritone uke. I have Martin strings in it. It has a truss rod. Acc. Electric. I’m trying to barre because it’s so fun to play like that but I’m struggling. I believe this is going to Help Me.

[@musicalmiscellany]

I make these videos hoping they're helpful to someone so that is great to hear. Good luck with the baritone.

[@PeterS-lt6cv]

Great stuff! Any suggestions about getting a 4 string DGBE uku or tenor guitar that sounds more like a standard sounding guitar ? Or is a 4 string DGBE tuned instrument inherently too limited in the music scale to be able to play traditional delta sounding blues like a steel string guitar? I was thinking about getting a pricey Pono Nui "big" Baritone ukulele as a way to stay in DGBE, also I have tried a Ibranez tenor mini dreadnought, but that still sounds limited and sorta too tinny sounding. Any suggestions about how to stay in a 4 string DGBE instument yet still get a better fuller diverse sound for the delta blues?

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking out the video. I'm glad it was helpful. If you want to get a really bluesy tone on a 4 string instrument, there's another tuning called Arkansas tuning with is E-A-D-G. It makes it easy to translate a lot of blues riffs from guitar. However, the strings have to be pretty heavy so a lot of instruments can't take it. Make sure you check that before trying this tuning. You don't want to permanently bow the neck.

[@WilliaminOz]

Transitioned from ukuleles. The chord SHAPES are the same but only 4 notes different. A C on a uke is a G on the guitar. Saves rejigging the mind. Look for songs on Jim's Songbooks. Just use the Baritone uke songs.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks for checking out the video.

[@johnaustin1825]

Many thanks for your prompt answer. I am using Piezo but I want to do some slide as well. I suppose it's best to suck it and see?

[@musicalmiscellany]

Either one will work. It’s more of a personal preference. Go with whichever you like better.

[@larryroseline]

Nice great day bro

[@musicalmiscellany]

Thanks. It is a really fun tuning.

[@johnaustin1825]

I missed it somewhere I think. Are you using Electric or Acoustic strings?

[@musicalmiscellany]

I’m using electric strings (nickel roundwound). In general, you’ll want to use electric strings if your guitar has a magnetic pickup. If your CBG has a piezo pickup, acoustic strings (phosphor bronze) will work.

[@ADEker]

Hi Kale ,This guy Ross say's Chicago tuning is DGDE ,you say DGBE, what is the real Chicago Tuning ?

[@musicalmiscellany]

According to Deering it’s DGBE. blog.deeringbanjos.com/how-to-tune-a-tenor-banjo-to-chicago-tuning?hs_amp=true

[@gawni1612]

aw power chords!

[@musicalmiscellany]

That's one of the greatest things about Chicago tuning... so many familiar chord shapes. Thanks for watching.

[@johnaustin1825]

II want to bump up the 1st string to G to play slide in open G. Any comment??

[@musicalmiscellany]

There’s no right or wrong way to tune a CBG. Do what works for you.