Why John Frusciante is Out Of Tune

[@PaulDavids]

Additions/corrections: On 2:43 we hear the major third interval of C-E instead of D-F. I used the wrong fragment in the edit. at 3:42 I'm stating that half notes are all equally distanced from one other, but actually they are calculated using the 12th root of 2. However, if they are equally spaced on a logarithmic scale. Did I really think that Frusciante gave so much thought to tuning his guitar? I don't think I need to answer that, it's pretty obvious, and to be honest, it doesn't really matter.

[@RandyWillcox]

Have the Buzz Feiten tuning system implemented so the entire guitar is tempered like a piano and it will blow your mind! It solves the very issue you describe and it doesn't change key to key. In fact, playing with a piano goes from what is typically embarrassing for the guitar player to being beautiful.

[@StringsofLight]

There will never be any perfect tuning for any instrument until they stop using Pi as their means of measure. If anyone made an instrument tuned to Phi that would be the true perfection.

[@shaft9000]

The trouble is that many people don't recognize the classic stuff as sounding correct unless it's similarly out of tune in the same way! So while the guitar may be tuned differently to play more scientifically accurate, it won't sound like "The Guitar" that most everyone is already accustomed to.

[@antonioposa4070]

Bravo. Both for the video and for the corrections you wrote here... That 12th root thing was bugging me. Still, you really opened my mind. I am not a guitar player, I am really bad, but I've got great "ear" and the thing with tuning for a chord vs. tuning by the rules has been driving me nuts for decades. Typically, for strumming chords in an inelegant fashion, I would always go for a tuning that fit G chord in a natural way. And that would always have the B string out of tune. Now I know why! Thanks! You made my day.

[@dudecaphony]

@@RandyWillcoxI think you've misunderstood what the Buzz Feiten system does. A tempered instrument will always have problems with certain intervals, especially thirds.. There is no way around it. The Buzz Feiten adds som compensation to the relationship between the G and the B string (+other minor nut adjustments) but it cannot "solve" problems that are inherent to the tempered scale. Guitarists have done well without BF´s and other systems for decades, they will compensate tuning for particular songs and most importantly; they will vary how (and where) they fret strings, how hard or loose they hit the fretboard, manipulating tension to harmonize pitches. Most seasoned guitarists will do this without thinking and compensate an out of tune pitch on the fly

[@AdamNeely]

Great practical demonstration of just intonation dude!

[@berkuyku]

Adam Neely Hey Adam! Make videos about Frusciante. I know it is not your ‘thing’ but it would be awesome to watch him from you! Also, I’m sure you will find something great to talk about from his records.

[@tomrabbani]

He did your question and answer style Adam!

[@GijsvanDam]

Adam, Paul, get a room already!

[@burbanpoison2494]

Hey, are you going to sue KZbin and/or make a video response to Leonard French saying you should sue KZbin for that copyright blocking stuff?

[@wyatt3254]

Adam Neely in a Paul Davids comment section? Today is a good day. And thank you to both of you for helping me understand tuning systems. I've learned that particular bit of theory entirely from youtubers like you guys!

[@sunkai8851]

3:06 he just tried to pull a vibrato on a launch pad classic guitarist

[@jackakaemo]

Haha that's actually hilarious!

[@powermetallistic2293]

Always happens to me too! 😂

[@anshdeo]

Always happens with me when I'm trying to play the keyboard haha

[@sunkai8851]

omg ikr i don't even notice it

[@davitube4747]

@@anshdeo so do I! And it always feels odd and like something is missing to the sound I unconsciously expect... I'm just hoping I won't ever end up with one less piano key, trying to accomplish a bending on it

[@MrDaveo98]

Ok. I was John's guitar tech for his entire second tenure with the peppers (from around 98-08). When he rejoined the band, no-one was sure what was going to happen. We did a few shows, then they went in to write and record what became the Californication album. Since no-one was sure what was going to happen, I went to work for Ozzy and Korn, while the peppers worked on the album. The band's then drum tech Louie Mathieu took over all backline chores for the recording of the album. I can guarantee you that when the song Scar Tissue was recorded not nearly that much thought went into the tuning. The slightly off tuning was surely an accident. Although John may have noticed how it sounded, and approved of it. I tuned John's guitars for every single time John played it live since then. And I tuned directly to what my Peterson strobe tuner told me to. A-440. Beauty strat by the way! Great video.

[@fictionalchannel]

I had wondered if the anomaly mentioned in the video was perhaps a suggestion from Rick Rubin or one of the engineers.

[@iamandes4455]

Sounds like a really cool job dude! 👍😊

[@johnbahler]

@@snakeson_aplane I don't think Paul is claiming that Frusciante did the math or checked the charts, or studied up on just intonation. He would probably agree with your comment. He is encouraging viewers to take the analytical route to get the same result, and that could be a mistake. Maybe his closing remarks should be more along the lines of: don't blindly follow your tuner. Do what sounds good.

[@mattykevlee]

You have the same name as my dad and younger brother. I can’t verify your story though.

[@capitanmission]

@@johnbahler its open to one desires and experimentation. I think theory is great but its part of something bigger, you must use your taste too..

[@ThePippin89]

I remember learning this song and getting so frustrated that it didn't sound the same as the recording. Now I know why!

[@kinnusai4432]

Same!

[@proshathaghighi8927]

I knowww!!!

[@joefox9765]

Funny but that string always goes out a half a tone On My Guitar. It's anyone's guess if he intentionally did it.

[@owenlewthwaite5644]

what song is it??

[@joefox9765]

@@owenlewthwaite5644 it's the song of your life

[@jamesedsall7224]

Just described what my ears always knew I’ve argued with my b string for 20 years.

[@christiendykstra5691]

legit same, always fiddling with it, it my most worn out tuning peg.

[@mathewhale3581]

Yeah! And the argument is always louder after a spliff. My ears say no! That’s wrong! I’ll fix it, it sounds great, but up the neck is awful. Arrggh... I agree with Paul though - I tend to trust the tuner more when playing in a band. When playing solo at home I’d prefer the ears because I’m tuning to the acoustic guitar resonance itself and that sounds sweeter to me than digital. But damn bro, you’re not wrong about that B

[@Degantown]

Yes, exact same over here

[@alexiscarrillo7305]

Yo deadass.

[@danloan5217]

wow... I've thought this was an intonation issue and always fiddling with the B-string cuz standard tuning always sounds off

[@KnowledgeIsKey215]

Great content Paul! Careful though, that B note might be copyrighted somewhere in KZbin's database

[@ThrawnTheater]

Haha underrated comment

[@bcasper2267]

lol everything is copyrighted these days

[@yinoveryang4246]

The B note is owned by Barclays the C by Citigroup, and the D by DBS bank. Who in their turn, own the record companies. So all revenue for their usage forthwith, to go into their fat, greedy and non-creative pockets.

[@jamesbuckley6875]

Sad but true :(

[@thedavesimpson]

Pretty sure Warner Bros own B. ;)

[@SEPBQC]

You just solved a 30 years mystery, my ears were telling me that the tuner was wrong... always wondering why, now I know. Thanks Paul.

[@bolerdweller]

Totally. That's exactly why I never had a tuner as a kid. If I ever tried one I just ended up retuning it after anyways

[@them4309]

same. only 20 years for me though, so i guess i'm lucky lol

[@alainbrisebois8334]

40 years here.

[@thepolloni]

bruh i've been having problems with my B string for 15 years now I was not crazy

[@rockcockhockenhull8204]

Ive been having the same problem for 72 years

[@sphericalcow6014]

John seeing this video be like : "Yea that's um what I was doing yea"

[@superhuman33]

bruh he knew exactly what he was doing, you dont need to know jargin to use your fucking ears

[@SomeOfTheJuice]

I mean, considering how well-versed Frusciante is musically, how much he's listened and studied people like Zappa and Fripp, and having Julliard-level parents as musicians, he probably heard how it originally sounded, was like "that sounds too sharp and bright for what I want," lowered it a fraction and was like "much better." That's how most things musically are done, and then afterward a theorist or musician studying their work will be able to explain it. It's basically how all of classical and jazz theory and analysis work. You take what you hear and figure out the why afterward, see if that why explains other pieces of music, and then boom; you've got a new premise in music theory made that can be applied in new compositions.

[@angelherradorcolino5367]

"yea thats just um thats just what i was doing yea"

[@syanesendow4195]

He definitely right i guess. Cuz i don't know why every guitar i played when i tuned the g string with the tuner it always sound like off pitch

[@35trill]

John is a man of few words

[@TetroLeon]

I really enjoy Paul's videos! #1 - Best video and sound quality #2 - Constructive content #3 - Great character! He is definitely one of the best KZbinrs out there to learn from. Thanks Paul :)

[@rockyoursoul326]

also, no.4 beautiful stratocaster!!

[@TetroLeon]

@@rockyoursoul326 Legit ;)

[@andrewnicorn]

Strong beard too.

[@TetroLeon]

@@andrewnicorn Definitely a strong one!

[@awbennen]

Perino Loenda Fiesta Red I believe

[@LittleTinyElvis]

Change that title from “didn’t” to “doesn’t” cuz HE’S BACK BABY 🤟

[@Rey-hl8oz]

Envy San Diego 💯

[@harbinger8035]

Envy San Diego yeap

[@LittleTinyElvis]

Eric Viethzer Alvez No shit Sherlock. I’m just excited he’s back. Nothing against Josh, but I personally didn’t like him as the guitarist that much. Watch them at the Grammys, you’ll see what I mean lol.

[@VarsityAthlete04]

@@LittleTinyElvis All the best RHCP albums are with Frusciante.

[@j_freed]

Chrissan - well the 2nd and 3rd album with Hillel Slovak are pretty indispensable. Excellent, fun albums. Uplift Mofo and Freaky Styley.

[@jacobs9049]

You've just explained in a most graceful way the reason my ears are never satisfied with a "perfectly tuned" guitar. Thank you.

[@PhuahYeeKeat]

Jacob S probably why some players went fret less.

[@jaimemaldonado3984]

I only been playing for one year and don’t know anything of what he’s saying, but this is awesome

[@TheShakthirvd]

I have been playing for 3years and I feel the same like you.

[@theimmoralcookie]

I've been playing for like 3 months and I still can't play guitar, lol.

[@Mwtorres89]

I’ve been playing for about 14 years, don’t feel bad, I’m always learning something new. You never stop learning

[@fiacmar]

Twenty years. Not a bloody clue.

[@Taylor_5724]

@@theimmoralcookie dw you'll get better. I felt the same way. I still can't play very well but I've only been playing for about 10 months

[@flavorvanilla]

This is the definition of quality content

[@alextoli2486]

Henry R you are severely misguided if you think this is quality content.

[@flavorvanilla]

@@alextoli2486 I'd love to hear your argument explaining why this isn't quality content!

[@alextoli2486]

Henry R manufactured to be clickbait and I personally don’t find it appealing. Only reason I got here is because the algorithm is trying to jam it don’t my throat. Don’t get me wrong he’s not a bad guy or anything and I have no problem with him as a person but there’s channels like Signals music studio and Rick Beato. Those are the two juggernauts but there’s more like Let’s talk about math rock, trevor wong, adam neely, sideways, 8 bit music theory, 12 tone on a good day.

[@alextoli2486]

Henry R there’s so many musicians on youtube trying to offer something. I would never consider this to be quality content when there are channels like those ones who do hard research and don’t make 8 and a half minute videos on half baked ideas.

[@alextoli2486]

Henry R Nahre Sol and David Bruce Composer. Samurai guitarist

[@freekpeters5483]

Would love to see more John frusciante video's!

[@johnmontague69]

Been tuning the B string a little flat for over 35 years. And now I know WHY!!! LOL. THANKS PAUL. 😃

[@SisterRose]

i think that's more a problem with the guitar itself. b and g strings often tend to be awkward.

[@MisterDarkfall]

Yeah! I've always done this too! I always thought It was just the cheap guitar I'm playing! Good to know it's not 'wrong'.

[@Mr.M1STER]

Oh do tell us more about how you were the first to do this.....

[@ChefBrady]

I actually read a long time ago where James Taylor did that with his b string as well, and I’ve done it ever since, because well, he know a shitload more than I do. Lol. Glad to now know why as well!

[@johnmontague69]

@@Mr.M1STER I'm certainly not the 1st lol.

[@beatlemangle1712]

Hey, Paul! Rick Rubin had mentioned your video to John Frusciante in a recent podcast called Broken Record.

[@PaulDavids]

Dude I heard it!! Sickkkk 😱

[@Beans360]

@@PaulDavids I heard that and Frusciante said and interesting thing. Something like he was listening to alot of blues record's at the time. I think it's weird he would decide to tune the guitar himself for a studio recording however maybe you can do a video on how blues musicians are not in tune.

[@anthonymonto8966]

John frusciante is why I play. Sometimes outside the grain thinking results in innovation. Great video man.

[@thetrump9974]

Exactly. Frusciante is such a great guitarist he can make simple things like triads sound beautiful and can create a beautiful melody with a detuned string

[@anthonymonto8966]

@@thetrump9974 yeah man, as soon I I became good enough I started learning all of the stadium arcadium album. I know it's not a lot of people's fav but that album perfectly shows how good he is as well as shows how HIS melodies enhanced the entire bands music. Flea and frusciante are hands down the greatest bass and guitar combo of all time for me.

[@MrCamille9999]

I always try to think outside the grain! :P

[@sparklerdynamo2164]

Plenty of guitarists adjust the B string actually and if you have been playing guitar for a while you would know the instrument is not a perfect designed instrument from an intonation point of view which is why I always tune by ear. One way to get around this issue, is by using True Temperament Frets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnS5lIafor2ams0

[@kfox153]

He was hardly the first. Fretless instrument players have done this on the fly for ages, and many slide guitar players frequently do this as well. He’s still awesome though!

[@timothyfilla5142]

I heard there was a secret chord, that Frusciante played and it pleased the Lord

[@thema1998]

@nick f Why aren't you going to show the chord to anybody? 😆

[@danielbell99]

Apparently, it goes like this..

[@samb4772]

Holy shit is that a fucking hallelujah reference?!1

[@kingkong4934]

Sammie Bootle no

[@jansam8693]

and that is going up on my facebook profile status rn lol LOL

[@tylerfara]

This is literally the best video I've seen on this topic. Love that you used John Frusciante to illustrate a topic that so many others try to illustrate with Bach! Keep doing what you do :)

[@xmvziron]

But why would showing Bach when talking about just intonation be bad?

[@Matt-nk2tp]

@@xmvziron He didnt say it was bad I assume he likes it taight this way because its more relatable to a lot of electric guitar students?

[@tylerfara]

So exactly this ^ Thank you! Also, this video is just a fresh take. Bach famously wrote a piece called "The Well Tempered Clavier", which was used to popularize an early version of the "just intonation" system described in this video. Bach wrote 24 short pieces, one for each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys. It would have been impossible to play this collection on most instruments of the time, as they would have been tuned to meantone temperament which, as Paul Davids masterfully explains in this video, would mean some pieces in some keys would sound beautifully in tune, and others would sound horribly out of tune. So, again as per Paul Davids video, The Well Tempered Clavier required the pianist to tune the piano so that each key was slightly out of tune, and that made it possible to play in all 24 keys. It's worth noting that in the canon of classical music, this practice of writing a collection of 24 pieces, one for each key, is actually EXTREMELY common. Chopin has a great set. Rachmaninoff as well. And many, many others. However Bach's collection was literally THE FIRST such work for piano, and it was literally designed as an attempt to popularize the more modern system of tuning, which the name "The Well Tempered Clavier" indicates. So, in addition to providing some context and history for anyone who might be interested, my point is this: Bach did it first, and the impact of The Well Tempered Clavier is impossible to understate. BUT BUT BUT...as a result, it seems like everyone who wants to make a video about this topic starts with BACH! As you can probably tell from this response, I've seen my fair share of Bach videos! Hence the motivation for my original comment: I love that Frusciante was used to illustrate a topic so many others try to illustrate with Bach :)

[@mattd313]

I’ve noticed this only recently when using a tuner to tune my guitar perfectly. Some chords sounded… off. I’d tune the string by ear playing that chord and it’d sound better, but then worse on other chords. Wish I’d never noticed because now it just seems there’s no perfect tuning.

[@biohazard8295]

Don't obsess about it, because sounds are important but imo what emotions we try to express matter the most. It's better to be genuine and inperfect than perfect and sterile

[@sodneymvlin7715]

@@biohazard8295 This is all true but some people have to understand things completely before they are able to apply said thing. I never understood music for years untill I realized this fact about the math. It never made sense something was off but when I finally understood what it was that was off I was able to ignore it. And use it.

[@Dr_Lipschitz]

I remember Steve Vai I think came out with a guitar that had frets bent and squiggly looking instead of straight across to capture the true intonation

[@Henry-fv3bc]

It seems like there is no perfect tuning because there *is* no perfect tuning! It's mathematically impossible. Moving some of the fixed pitches around to move some intervals towards their just ratio will always push other intervals further away. The only "solution" is to keep adding more pitches to help you form just intervals with whatever your current root note is until you are satisfied with the number of "consonant keys" available to you. Instruments that do not have a fixed set of pitches, such as fretless instruments, certain wind/brass instruments, etc. (violin family, fretless bass or guitar, trombone, human voice, etc.) theoretically do not suffer from this problem, because they can constantly adjust the pitch of each note depending on the context. There are still issues that arise from this though. At the end of the day, compromises generally have to be made somewhere in most music. Besides, 12-TET is fine. It is great for genres like jazz too. Listen to piano music, it's not dissonant unless you're trying to find dissonance in it.

[@SeveGuitar]

I noticed it too, when I play a specific song, thought my guitar had problems and then I realized that the same issue happened with another guitar 😅

[@shloopp]

I've tried to tell people that sometimes 'detuned' sounds better and no one ever believes me. Thanks for the explanation.

[@cybergus18]

Maybe if you were John they would believe you 🤔🤔

[@brankoj62]

In the past we didn't have tuners,all was by ears and we spent much times tuning ,nowdays is all by tuners,that's it.

[@gaetanomusic]

The guitar wasn't "detuned", it was tuned properly. Each time someone changes the intonation of an instrument in purpose it becomes the new desired tuning. "Detuned" describes in essence when it happens without purpose or intention (like when a singer tries to sing a melody and isn't able to match the desired frequencies).

[@jesse_cole]

For nearly 30 years I thought I was doing something wrong. I've always slightly detuned the open B-string on my guitars, and it's driven me crazy, because the tuner "disagrees" with me, but when I ease it back a little in pitch, most of the open chords sound more "right." Maybe now I can finally shake that weird feeling of guilt I still get when I tune a note against the will of the guitar tuner. Thanks for the insight, Paul.

Lol, same. Not 30 years tho, about 5-6 years, but I thought I just don't have a balanced ear (lol) because B string always seemed a bit higher then right according to a tuner. Fuck tuners, ears all the way.

[@Jaspertine]

It's also gonna depend on the kind of music you play. In my experience, certain intervals will sound better tuned by ear, but at the cost of certain other intervals sounding much, much worse. I used to get by just fine by slightly adjusting the tuning between songs, depending on the key, but over time, I found it to be somewhat limiting. I tune by tuner nowadays, and it still never sounds exactly right, but it sounds only slightly off across the board, rather than perfect in some places and terrible in others.

[@Hennu_TRM]

I wonder if this is why I prefer the G chord where you add the D on the B string... because the voicing with the open B doesn't sound as good to me...

[@osmoseone6754]

Yes well if your nut isn't cut properly i.e too high that can also be the reason as the first frets will sound too sharp.

[@FelippeMedeirosLP]

same here.

[@danlam153]

This explains so much. Thank you! I've always thought my G chords sounded better with a "flat" B string but then it would sound like garbage when playing an E. I didn't know why until now.

[@Steffschenko]

Paul, I'm gonna be honest here. We NEED a hair style tutorial. It's glorious!

[@CradleRawk]

Steff nice 👍 that made me chuckle. Terrific hair for sure

[@niconico9702]

And for beards maybe??

[@maverickpanda]

Yes definitely

[@dukethunder214]

Surly a 100 percent horse stud muffer, glorious.

[@Strepite]

Just visit your nearest hipster friend and u're all set...

[@HorrorCow]

Holy shit. I'm not much of a theory guy but have spent a few minutes playing guitar. It's always drove me crazy that some things sounded slightly out of tune despite being 'perfectly' tuned. This explains so much, thank you for this video.

[@szechuanmcnuggetsauce6036]

same!

[@jojo-qx8vo]

Dude just use your tuner!probably you are playing something wrong!

[@PaulDavids]

I'm seeing a lot of comments about 'true temperament' guitar necks, but that's an entire different thing. They are designed to compensate some of the design flaws of the guitar and supposedly tune the guitar better to 12-TET than regular guitar necks. So the flaws/errors of 12-TET are still there, even with the 'wiggly' frets. I've never tried such a guitar.

[@matthews.1837]

Good vid! I First read about temperament about a decade ago and was perplexed. Basically all chords and keys can't be "in tune" at the same time. Very interesting as the piano has same problems and it takes a skilled tuner as there are different tunings(compromises) based on the music.

[@seaoffog2303]

Great explanation. Yeah, the major third is particularly 'out of tune' in equal temperament, but our modern ears are, to some extent, trained to hear it as ok. Historic mean-tone temperaments have beautifully pure major thirds, but are quite limited as to which keys work well. Viola da gambas (which are related to the guitar rather than the violin) have moveable frets so the performer can adjust to the temperament needed for a particular piece. I'm not sure if guitars with moveable frets exist, but they would be interesting to experiment with...

[@2204JCM]

What you say is %100 accurate about the True temperment system and Just vs Equal temperment. Most guitar players don’t know this stuff and too many blindly rely on electronic tuners.

[@2204JCM]

On a similar note do a video on why you can’t tune a guitar using harmonics.

[@triggerhappydad65]

@@2204JCM Just a couch strumming drummer here who also happens to love guitar (especially acoustic). I've made my biggest improvements on guitar thanks to a KZbin genius with a channel called "Shut up and play". He has a ( simple ) tuning method that, I * think* may addresses this problem. Go into his channel and submit your email (no problems with b.s.) and you can download the short instructional video. PS, You never see his face and he wears all black so only his hands are showing. Without a doubt the best guitar tutor ( song by song ) on KZbin.

[@RateOfChange]

This video opened up a whole new world for me. I finally understand why some stuff I play sound better with a slight bend. It also realised why even though my tuning is perfect there are always specific notes on my recorded songs that sound slightly off tune. I thought it could be something wrong with my guitars. Thanks Paul, your videos are awesome.

[@kitzman]

Your content is STELLAR. 20 year musician here and you finally put words to something I’ve always struggled with . Heard whispers of “true tuning” but nothing like this. Thank you!!!

[@TheSilent006]

You need to tune the B string the same way for Over the Hills and Far Away. This video saved my sanity.

[@alexandramoss3015]

... wait, really? F**k, no wonder that song sounds s**t when I play it. Thanks!

[@Hexyn]

wow, I've been fighting with my b string tuning for years. Thankyou for this I can stop doubting my ear!

[@masondeitrick]

I learned more about intervals in this video than years of taking music theory classes. Thank you Paul.

[@Alex-nk8bw]

Holy cow! For 20 years, I've been wondering how my hearing can be so off - now I've finally learned that it's actually perfectly fine. Thank you very, very much for this insightful explanation! 👌😀👍

[@mikifufu]

6:23 "Sorry steve-t for stealing your look" 😂😂😂

[@chaoticneutral1090]

exactly the comment i wanted to make except without the stupid emoji faces, god damn it

[@poockoo]

@God cause it's written on the screen for a split second.

[@AndyFree69]

Excellent stuff - often wondered why my ear was telling me something was off, but the tuner was telling me it was okay.

[@irnbruboy9442]

I have always dislike the sound of the B string, I guess this is why.

[@EddieOtool]

@@irnbruboy9442 Same here. And I tought my guitars were poorly adjusted.

[@gregorystocker971]

Irn Bru Boy me too! Actually tuning by ear all intervals seem just a bit off but especially the b string for some reason.

[@Fivizzz]

To be fair straight frets cannot achieve perfect tune, and even very good guitars can have a few strings sound off when a chord is played open at the bottom of the neck but perfect when barred or even capoed further up and vice versa.

[@ExperienceEric]

@@Fivizzz I have been detuning the B sting on my acoustic for years when I am playing mostly in G. I tune it back up when the root is in E. I always thought my neck or tonation was a bit off, never knew it was a natural event.

[@MatthewBreithaupt]

I heard a long time ago that Eddie Van Halen did this, and this allowed him to get a very sweet sound with 3rd intervals with distortion, as opposed to most rock metal guitarists who avoided the 3rd, which is why so many rock songs only use "power chords" (root & 5th)

[@WoockerSocket2]

Well the literal definition of a power chord is just a root and 5th. Which means it's not major or minor so you can do more with the melody

[@lele794]

10 years tuning my guitar by ear doing the G chord, and finally a explanation of that. Thx bro, you're amazing.

[@ianloftgonzaga7535]

Last time I was this early, Frusciante was still in RHCP.

[@thereallbking]

Too soon 😭

[@yuothineyesasian]

Too soon....

[@pierre-claudemeriot6562]

Good for you you want a doggie biscuit?

[@luigioblena7623]

Sad reacts to this

[@DropItStudio]

Underrated comment

[@HillsSilent]

The Cure are known for doing this, I think it's most noticeable on their Wish album.

[@HughSHay]

John Lennon always put his D string out of tune as a trademark, btw.

[@duffman18]

I've heard Eddie Van Halen did it too

[@thomaschristensen9321]

John Frusciante actually said The Cure was a huge influence on the entire Californication album, especially the title track.

[@kostasmponis1042]

Its based on the Pythagorean tuning! I play violin and we follow the Pythagorean tuning system...its a bit hard to explain but Paul does it quite well!

[@ashevilleguitar]

The physics of sound and music best College class I ever took ! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@marianoroncati]

Hey! Its a good explanation but i think you should add that this problem occurs only in "fretted" instruments, like guitar and keyboards, and the reason is because if you tune it to just intonation, modulation to any other key wouldn't be possible. Fretless instruments like strings from the orchestra don't have this problem, as you can move your finger even a milimeter to get the right pitch you're looking for. In equal temperament system you sacrifice pitch accuracy in order to gain the possibility of key modulation.

[@MadsBoldingMusic]

However! If, for instance with Chopin's Piano Concertos, you have a piano performing with an orchestra or string section, the players still need to be in tune with the "fixed" tuning of the piano. Naturally, the fifths of the stringed instruments have to be tuned in accordance with either tuning system, or the result will be a pretty annoying experience for the players having to compensate. Could you point me towards a string concert performed in the old true temperament, because I'd be fascinated to hear it. I have only ever heard evenly tempered ones as of yet.

[@hrlarson]

Bends and vibrato sometimes come in handy.

[@LykanVarion]

you can also get guitars with "True Temperament". Listen to Mattias IA Eklundh(hhhh) for showcase of such, with his signature Caparison.

[@martijn3151]

OMG. Thanks to this comment I just realized how incredibly difficult it must be to play those type of instruments.

[@MrDeanFan]

Maybe that's the reason, why John is playing solo on b-string with glass slide.

[@robertfullone9032]

Frusciante guitar is broken in scar tissue video. Makes sense. 😋

[@hanshubert6675]

saved some cents on the string makes lots of cents. look at all the cents i give!

[@yogamabayu]

The best thought

[@cambell9]

It's a music video. The instruments aren't even plugged in. This happens with all guitars

[@KyuubiReign]

@@cambell9 way to miss the joke

[@cambell9]

@@KyuubiReign it's hard to tell because some millennials are that stupid

[@luisguilherme2403]

I entered the video to like and add to watch later just because of the straight forward thumbnail and title. No clickbait, just quality content

[@Pooopers]

I've been scratching my head for years as to why my b string always sounds like shit right after i finish tuning for some songs. Shoulda called this video: "This is why your b string always sounds out of tune." its a very common google search great vid!

[@ItsTheWAB]

funk you oh man I’ve always hating that string, I can’t stand ever leaving it open cause it can practically ruin the sound of your song.

[@chihuahuaman7025]

John has been my personal guitar hero since mother’s milk. I only got to see him play live once with the peppers and it was something I’ll never forget. The man is unreal. Incredibly underrated. He does get a lot of credit from musicians but he deserves so much more. Regardless I’m sure he’s fine with it.

[@turkey6969]

When you put science and math, to the human ear. That damn B string has always been a problem lol.

[@iant419]

Funny, the g string has always sounded out of tune to me.

[@sentientcardboarddumpster7900]

@@iant419 same

[@gamingpentagon]

B sounds terrible no matter if its in tune or not, 100% agree 😂

[@thetumans1394]

@@iant419 An ancap would have a bad opinion like that.

[@iant419]

@@thetumans1394 g strings are for commies bro.

[@Will-dt3yg]

I've always played by ear. THANK YOU for restoring what tiny amount of sanity I had before picking up my first guitar...44 years ago. Better late than never. To Frusciante...thank you for being the musical genius you've always been. Genius is supposed to have limits. Thankfully, John, you keep breaking new ground, and Mr. Davids clearly explained HOW he did it. You're both are on my permanent "Nice" list after this. More than my words could ever explain. William

[@3rdmm]

Back before everybody had those LED tuners, each player had his own approach to tuning the instrument, which contributed to his personal sound.

[@welp3904]

Though, common strobe tuners came around the late 60's ('67), LED tuners didn't hit stands until the 80s. ACDC's Highway to Hell is one of the more notoriously tuned rock-guitar albums (alot of A-Ab, and other songs are a half step down). The song "Strawberry Fields Forever" has a VERY interested tuning situation - 1st part recorded in A at a faster pace, 2nd part recorded in C at a slower pace. A-Section was sped up, and the C-section was slowed down to "match" each other. It adds character that we couldn't imagine without a bit of experimentation.

[@ileolai]

Well no. You can't play well out of tune unless you know how to tune in the first place.

[@adnitesean5005]

Tier 1guitarist : tune his guitar according to the tuner Paul Davids : tune his tuner

[@stef-zen]

One guitar for each chord - problem solved 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@dachanist]

Classical trumpet players actually do this - Bb, C, D(Semi Rare), Eb(Semi Rare), G (rare), A (Vintage), and Piccolo. French horn is in F. I would guess that the main reason for some keys being much more common than others is in large part due to this.

[@bandido9770]

hahahaha

[@robfielding8566]

actually, there was some of that going on in Slash's Guns & Roses recordings.... where some takes were just single chords custom tuned.

[@DiasOtoño]

Kevin Shields does that

[@josephsanti-unger3305]

Better solution, play a slide in open tuning

[@lucvp]

What I like so much about you Paul is that you did not forget all the uncertainties, questions and difficulties one goes through when learning guitar. Your videos are a real gold mine for any guitarist of any level!

[@aaronmayhew6106]

I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and always wondered about that damn b string. never sounds right. You answered the question. THANK YOU! we also look like brothers.

[@MichaelStalcup]

I haven't been playing nearly as long, but same here -- always noticed the B string on G chords but never knew why until now. Fascinating!

[@nesicus]

@@MichaelStalcup Do you notice the same thing when you apply the voicing where you have the added fifth on the B string? Perhaps that's a good justification for using the fuller-voiced chord.

[@arn999]

Same here!

[@aips0]

I genuinely never put in the effort to learn music theory but thanks to your videos I am finally beginning to understand how the pedal effects work, the theory of chord build-up and tactile measures. I mean, I could play in tune and according to beat before but now I feel that I actually know what I am (supposed to be) doing. Thanks a thousand times! Greetings from Estonia.

[@dennisv1358]

I knew it! All these years it was my tuner that was wrong!

[@burbanpoison2494]

God was wrong.

[@jamesyaun]

I tune the B string on the 3rd fret (D) perfect and this makes the split right on most acoustic guitars.

[@tommyowens5022]

MIND. BLOWN. I've wondered why for the last 27 years of guitar playing I've always screwed up tuning the B string by ear... according to the tuner. Wow.

[@danielpeens3253]

Brother you’ve answered something I have been struggling with and often questioning my sanity because of!😜 Love love love this!

[@adamsjoberrg]

Same here... I ALWAYS detune that string, because I can't play an A and a D in the same tuning... Either the A is off or the D is off..

[@michaelns9887]

Frucsiante didn't tune his guitar to match untuned voice of Kiedis.

[@Pixiez]

Hahaahhahahahaha

[@mel04083]

LMAO

[@seamansteyne1932]

So true. Ever tried to listen to the sound tracks only and not want to jump out of a window after 1 hot minute?

[@fIanneI]

Real shit lmao

[@666finnegan]

Best comment

[@rdalago]

Paul, the way you teach and produce these videos is amazing! I've been learning a lot from you. Thank you.

[@freedomessentials7321]

Fascinating! I went to high school with John and occasionally we’d go to his apt at lunch and he’d play his guitar. The guy was a musical genius even back then. (I remember Zappa, Thelonious Monk and Red Hots were his favorites) He was also a really nice and incredibly soft spoken guy.

[@benjaminoverholt8056]

You just answered a question that has been bothering me for 27 years. Thank you.

[@johnstevens8253]

Awesome video. My old classical guitar teacher always tuned his G string slightly sharp.

[@poiopop]

First video I’ve ever watched of yours and I love it! I’m not very musically inclined but the way you speak, explain everything and break it down with captivating visuals really makes it easy to follow and fun to learn! You’re amazing!

[@takeruonishi]

I love how at 6:29 you add the sound of a page turning.. this goes to show how much effort you put into each video! thanks! ^^

[@richardybarra5546]

Makes so much sense now i be been playing with that b string since day one thinking it was my guitar was off lol ! Thanks so much!

[@OGStinkywizzleteats]

So you're telling me he did it because it made cents?

[@mikeshoults4155]

You have a great cents of humour.

[@OGStinkywizzleteats]

@@mikeshoults4155 I cents a note of sarcasm.

[@jonasharveymusic3554]

I'm hard

[@BugTheRoot]

@@mikeshoults4155 that joke fell flat. See what I did there?

[@t.p.sheppard1270]

It made less cents

[@kh2716]

I know this is just another comment but your channel (and you! 😊) have completely relit a fire in me for playing the guitar again. I’ve not played with intent for over 10 years. I started to learn guitar many moons ago when I broke my back, I was laid up for so long the only thing I could do was sit up so I taught myself to play and Frusciante was my inspiration. So for me to find your incredible channel which inspired me to play again (and I’m loving it like it’s new to me again!) then to find you break down Frusciante tunes further it’s like this was made for me. Thank you so much. You’ve no idea the positive impact you’re having on us all. 🙌🏽🫡

[@alexILMN]

I started playing guitar because of John Frusciante

[@lucasargandona4658]

I started playing because of Gustavo Cerati and John

[@BurningPaperMusic]

I started playing guitar because I was tired of lugging a drum kit around - never got to the bar, which is why I was the one driving:-/

[@deimo1372]

Same

[@freebee8221]

I quit playing after I saw him play live:)

[@edboggo5488]

@@freebee8221 what's wrong with John's live performances?

[@OscarTheMaker]

I believe i've seen john play scar tissue live on the D- and high E string instead of playing it on the A and B string like on the album. Probably to compensate for the tuning.

[@RadioactiveKetchup]

Thats how I play it

[@stonetemplepilots3130]

Oscar. That’s not how it works. I’m pretty sure you’d have the same problem using any two strings, if the guitar is tuned with a tuner.

[@RadioactiveKetchup]

Stone Temple Pilots lol yeah it doesn’t change the tuning at all I just be playing it different lol. Learned from watching him play Big Day Out in 2000

[@felipecaredona91]

make 1000 videos about Frusciante, i'll watch them all.

[@dangerousjave]

Man, I've been playing guitar for nearly 15 years and I've always thought every tuner I bought was either broken or conspiring against me 😅 I've always had issues with the b-string around the G/Em7 chords but I typically just go with what sounds better to my ear and tune it accordingly. Glad I saw this video, I feel less mental haha!

[@chrisheller8109]

Exactly my take! I've wondered sometimes if I just can't play certain chords right, but I think what I was experiencing had to do with this.

[@nicknicksiren]

Super informative, and changed my perspective - it turns out I'm NOT crazy when I think my guitar is out of tune even though my tuner says it's not!

[@randomhuman3064]

Yes, same!

[@juanvaldez5422]

Properly intonate your guitar, it will help. Modern instruments are much better about that. Scale lengths are much more precise with modern manufacturing techniques. You are always going to be 'a bit' off because the guitar is an imperfect instrument. Learning how to play to compensate for this, or , learning to play 'in tune' is far more advanced than tuning to a 15 dollar clip on tuner. This skill seperates internediate from advanced musicians, imo

[@MrSasquatchAlmighty]

Damn this is surreal, actually blowing my mind. When eartuning i've always gone to play a certain chord and tuned the strings to match. Then, once I go to play more chords it all sounds off, and I check with a tuner to find strings are all indeed "out". This video suddenly made my last few years of ear tuning make sense to me! I wonder if Fruiciante's approach to Scar Tissue was much the same; He tuned his guitar by ear to where that interval sounded "naturally" correct, recorded it, then left the rest of the band to figure it out. Knowing how eccentric he is/ was at that point I wouldn't be surprised if he just went into recording without a tuner and never thought twice about it.

[@tookamooka]

Pretty sure a producer or engineer would have said something. It's more likely deliberate and a technique adopted from his guitar heros.

[@Feede88]

Another great example is Around the World. If you try to play that song with your guitar 100% in tune it won’t sound right. I remember reading something Frusciante said circa 2001, by the way/to record only water for ten days era, about recording songs with his guitars being kinda out of tune.

[@KRSsven]

Agree, I had the same frustration with eartuning. You can think it's perfect or even see that it is with a tuner...and it sounds wrong and needs adjustment. I get this with the B string a LOT, though this may be how my ears are hearing it as a it pops up most often in G or A chords. It's likely that the tuning was something they realised on the day of recording and worked around it. Most guitarists aren't musical geniuses like our beloved Mr. Davids, they often just use what 'sounds good'. Reminds me of his Money for Nothing video where he recalls the producer saying they wouldn't be able to ever replicate that sounds perfectly because it came from just random messing about with certain pieces of equipment.

[@xaviertomas04]

That’s exactly what I do. I use an electric tuner to get it close but then I play chords and adjust strings until the chord sounds right to me.

[@rodrigomuller]

6:26 Paul you glitched there for a split of a second.

[@supernauta8593]

Lol

[@DannyBoneZz]

Lmao brooo what the hell!!

[@BraeburnTV]

The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television.

[@bassesatta9235]

Last Exit Before Toll oh my god shut up weirdo

[@BraeburnTV]

basses atta LoL

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

I frequently tune my guitars (especially acoustic) by just strumming an open major chord and adjusting until it sounds right. What you did at 7:20 made me realize why it always ends up sounding off when I do that then start playing anything up the neck on the high strings.

[@YanzBra]

"Did that sound out of tune to you? Because my B String was a little flat" - J. Frusciante (Under the Bridge acoustic in Amsterdam video 1991)

[@odhako]

wow, that's cool

[@DROSTraceurADD]

Hahahahahaha I've just checked, awesome. You can hear it's out of tune, though the singer says "naah" xDD (only because I was looking for it maybe)

[@marcusgraham3257]

Anthony Kledis wouldn't notice if the B string was missing lol

[@ukecando]

Heh - very cool, maybe it was a habit of Johns kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2K9lGOEmZqorrs

[@pramesh.gurung]

Marcus Graham both were probably high as shit. Lol

[@Drumbeatz1]

I'm not a guitarist but I liked to watch this vid. Nice tempo when explaining, not talking too fast and nice consistent quality of audio. Btw, you're Dutch, no?

[@DarkSwordsman]

I KNEW the B always sounded weird in a G or D chord!!!

[@forrestrichard8133]

DarkSwordsman I’ve always detuned my B a bit because I hate the way it sounds fully tuned for whatever reason. I thought it was just me though.

[@jackorion7157]

If it sounds out of tune on a D chord there's a problem with the guitar. The B string plays the octave of D on the D chord which is a 2:1 ratio, a ratio that exists in 12 TET and Just Intonation.

[@barnowl2832]

@@jackorion7157 The D note is still involved in the other intervals tho??

[@jackorion7157]

@@barnowl2832 the reason the B sound of tune is because it's the third of the G chord, so when Paul tuned it down to what would be true temperement it sounded in tune same with the third in the F chord that Frusciante played. in the D chord the third is on the first string so it would be the 1st string that's out of tune not the 2nd.

[@mustakahmed9094]

Oh that smile on Paul's face when he plays the G chord after tuning the B-string down.

[@barnettmusicproductions5501]

So technical, this guy is a music genius.. Very gifted!

[@sebione3576]

Love the vibrato on the button push at 3:06 😂

[@GuitarMikeRocks]

I didn't make anything of this until you pointed it out and I realized, "Oh yeah, that's pointless." Hahaha.

[@AJBuckleybutnottheonefromcsi]

It’s an ableton push, friend. It has some thing called “aftertouch sensitivity”. That patch wasn’t set up for it, but you can actually get a Vibrato sound out of the pads if the software instrument is set up for it.

[@DoctorV76]

Ive come to realise that musicians who learned guitar first always tend to do a vibrato even when it doesnt make sense, like on a piano

[@sebione3576]

@@AJBuckleybutnottheonefromcsi yeah I was wondering if that was a possibility. Cool.

[@bobobrien8968]

I have oddly, I thought , preferred my tuning to ear. I finally bought a tuner, but still don’t always agree with it. My biggest problem has always been the G string. Seriously. I can never get it to stay in tune in any guitar. And, it has always been the one to break. Of course, over time I learned to change my strings feauently. Now that I am in my loathe sixties, I am finally taking guitar seriously. I think You Tube has been a blessing. I have learned so much and am way more interested in theory. I love your lessons, by the way. Keep up the excellent and fun teaching.

[@michelsavoie6971]

I grew up tuning by ear, and when I started using a tuner as an adult, I noticed that I was off on some notes. Now I know why. Thanks for this info.

[@3500ton]

EVH did it back in 1977 when recording Running With The Devil and other songs...

[@bobravenscraft5376]

In an interview Eddie told interviewer if you can find a tuner in this room I'll let you have any piece of equipment here

[@truescotsman4103]

I was also going to leave the same comment.

[@Capitan_Chaos]

Bob Ravenscraft if I’m gonna start carrying a tuner with me just in case I ever meet him....

[@harrisonduncan3]

Watching this has made me feel much more confident in the fact I always tune by ear thanks for this

[@dreyn7780]

Ego monster! Your not wise! We don’t listen to strange people! How about you start over and explain to us strangers who you are where you come from what’s your views on the world, etc... you wouldn’t even know what the word respect means.

[@noelhoekstra6852]

This is why John Frusciante is a beast in making music with his guitar.

[@xkiller007x8]

Did you just teach me some music theory without even trying? Or are you just a secret music genius?

[@karrot101]

love it, makes loadsa sense now after 45 yrs of wondering

[@wantedfreak12]

So basically you’ve waited 45 years for this guys video 🤯

[@karrot101]

@@wantedfreak12 wondering is wondering and being curious about tuning stuff, waiting is probably the wrong phrase ;)

[@maxadrums]

MAN, this explains SO MUCH to me. I like to tune guitars by ear, picking a chord and tuning it, for instance. It sounds FANTASTIC, but then when I change chords I keep thinking my guitar's poorly intonated, and that that's causing the problem. You then re-tune to the new chord, and other things sound off... THANK YOU for this video! That's why tuners are better than ears - if you're going to play more than just one chord/interval.

[@Jaspertine]

Same here. And I bet you got lots of sideways looks from people when you told them that certain chords sounded "wrong" to you. Learning to tune by ear is great, because you develop a really good ear for intervals, but it also means you hear all the tiny imperfections that 12-TET minimizes, but can't fully eliminate. I learned this stuff a couple years ago, it was a huge load off my mind. I tune by tuner now, and it never sounds exactly right to me, but I'm also not having to adjust the tuning to suit every individual song or avoid certain chord patterns solely because of intonation issues.

[@maxadrums]

@@Jaspertine - Haha, yeah, for sure! It's actually quite the relief to know that it SHOULD be wrong, but only slightly. Also great to be able to share this with my students. This is some great valuable information!

[@Walamonga1313]

That's why you tune by ear using harmonics

[@kswg2009]

If the nut / slots are too high it could sharpen the fretted notes closest to the nut affecting tuning of open chords

[@ZblockWoW]

I tune my strings exact on my tuner, but set my B string intonation a few cents flat. If needed on certain chords, I simply push down a little bit stronger on the B string to make it sound “correct.”

[@brookskay5352]

I do the exact same, especially on an acoustic guitar.

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

Same

[@jamoma3649]

Thank you! I didn't understand why it sounded off and it was really frustrating not understanding why. Now I just randomly had a question answered for me. You've just improved my playing experience forever.

[@salaesp]

You have just fixed one of my eternal problems with guitar tuning and not trusting my ears

[@kommi1974]

Sweetened tuning is the only way to go. Peterson has a clip on that offers the best tuning I've ever had.

[@Loudmouth69]

What this guy said!!!

[@Newnodrogbob]

kommi1974 could you leave a link to that clip? I don’t know the Peterson you’re referring to, so IDK if I can find it.

[@spaleeted]

@@Newnodrogbob He means Peterson (the manufacturer) has a clip-on (tuner that clips on your guitar) that offers the best tuning...

[@Newnodrogbob]

Stuart Black Thank you. I feel really stupid ...

[@codyquinn8646]

@@Newnodrogbob I thought the same thing haha. Thought it said Peterson has a clip..

[@lileztat]

Great explanation. Thanks. I've always wondered why I'd be playing a particular song and it sounded wrong but I was in perfect tune (and vice versa).

[@Monyornothin]

This scratches an itch I've had forever. You are a very good teacher. I really needed to know this!

[@adneria]

This was terrific!! Fantastic gateway for a Ton of guitarists to understand the inherited imperfection of the guitar. Bravo good man!!

[@nimblehillbrewery9655]

OMG! this has always plagued me when tuning my guitar by ear. Thank you for explaining it.

[@crdrost]

Yeah! And there is another key question of why there are 12 notes. So the basic problem is that we want to be able to kind of *add and subtract* notes but the next octave up *doubles* the frequency, so frequencies *multiply* rather than add. Mathematicians figured out how to do this a long time ago: you look at exponents, because 2^x times 2^y is 2^(x+y). The only problem is that the actual numbers you get for these exponents are ugly irrational things, like in the music case we want something that has a frequency 1.5 of the root which is 2^(0.58496250…) going on forever. Or you might want 1.25 as your frequency ratio but that is 2^(0.32192809…), a very different number. When you tune *justly* you hit some numbers exactly but you get these nasty things like “wolf fifths” and to get rid of all of them you have to give up the guitar and sax and flute and play something like the violin where your fingers tune every chord every time to sound good. Well, these numbers do have *best rational approximations*, just like how pi is not 22/7 but is pretty darn close: closer than you would expect given that you are using a measure as crude as sevenths. So it turns out that 0.58496250… is very close to 0.6=3/5, very very close to 0.583333=7/12, extremely close to 0.584906=31/53. Similarly that 0.32192809… is unusually close to 1/3=0.333333 and then 9/28=0.321429 and then 19/59 =0.322034. So if we put 12 notes in an octave, evenly spaced, we get a good 3:2 frequency ratio on the 7th note and a good 5:4 ratio on the 4th note (because 1/3rd is 4/12ths). But it's not perfect and it's never perfect; it's always an approximation. But because it's uniformly spaced it is equally bad for any interval in any key. So at least it is predictable.

[@evzzs]

Great video. I’m a die hard rhcp/frusciante fan and I appreciate you diving in so accurately. Thanks.

[@skidancin]

Never heard such a thing and it explains a lot of my tuning frustrations at times.