Why Gospel Bassist Tune Down???

In this video we discuss the meaning behind why Gospel bass players tune down a half step or even a whole step while referencing some of the great gospel bassist, such as Andrew Gouche and the late Joel Smith! Enjoy
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[@_RyanTrout_]

A local bassist that I idolized as a young player used to tune down a half step. I always thought, "if he can tune down a half step, why can't I tune down a whole step". So, one day I tuned my bass down a whole step. That was almost 17 years ago and I have never gone back. Until the last year or two I never knew that anyone else did this, I always thought it was kind of weird so I never really mentioned it to anyone. Now I know Gouche does it, I feel much cooler about it hahah! Definitely would like to see more vlog style stuff on the road etc. Thanks for the great content!

[@aftalavera]

Congrats! Most of the time we a lot more special than we think!

[@csmiley6704]

Ive heard about Gouche notably from playing with the Mississippi mass choir and yes he’s a beast 🔥

[@B.O.N.Kennels]

i can play in all and still never be lost because it’s all patterns long as i know how it’s tuned...

[@eknight101]

correct. no matter how you turn e, the patterns are always the same with the exception of drop D tuning on the E string.

[@Below-Average_Joe]

I always lose my place with only one string detuned. Knowing someone with your great skills had difficulties doing it makes feel like I am not dumb after all.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

But with all strings tuned down a half step, you're not lost.

[@cello4Jesus]

I tune in fifths (CGDA) because I have a 'cello background (hence my username). When my church was in sudden need of a bassist 11 years ago, I was tapped for the job. I'm not familiar with standard bass tuning, so I stayed with what I'm comfortable with. We play all of our songs (gospel) by ear, so I needed to be able to see & hear what I was playing also. I eventually bought a 5-string to hit low Bb (and other super lows) so I'm now tuned FCGDA. I'm a complete nobody but if you, Bro. Bennett, or anyone else would like to know more about 5ths tuning I'd be more than happy to explain/demonstrate.

[@MrCornWolf]

"turn it on its side..... And Cello it's a bass"

[@cello4Jesus]

@@MrCornWolf except an octave lower. 😉

[@user-wm3ow6jg8d]

the distance must be so big ... wtfffff you re king

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

I’ve tried cello tuning… It’s so weird how fifths and octaves end up being a mirrored fingering to what they are in standard fourths tuning. I liked it but it leads to a lot of big fingering jumps.

[@DanielAdeyemo8455]

For me, i tuned down to A because i saw people like Andrew Gouche do it. I didn't really like it at first so i switched back to standard. Then i saw Darrell Freeman play bass. My ears were tingling. I tuned down to A again and it just felt right. I felt as if that's how bass should be, so i kept it that way :)

[@Lowkeybassist]

I would love to see a vlog of when your playing a different gigs or on tour

[@daricsbasslessons]

Awesome will do

[@robertakiranishihara238]

use low F# string 170 or 175 gauge on 6 strings bass!Its done!

[@boxdenfresh]

Nothing like that open Bb and Eb

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Just tried F# B E A D on my 5 Strings. Anyone else tune this way? I'm now tuning ADGCF 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤

[@georgewhite9299]

I've been tuning my Conklin-7's and my other 5 stringers to Low "A" since about 2010. This allows me good tone, range, slap/pop on everything from Gospel to Dance and Jazz. It throws some guitarist off when they look at your hand position and they say you're in the wrong place but I tell them to Listen not look. My short answer for why is, "BE CAUSE I WANT TO"😕🎻🔊 Mainly, I can keep up with the Hammond, other K/B's and Maintain my space in the Bass Territory!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Daric's Bass Lessons This Half Step Down Tuning also makes me think of Stevie Ray Vaughn & Slash from GNR.

[@bsdguy]

RIP Joel Smith!

[@jackmomma7481]

I never realized that gospel bass players tuned down that low. But now that I know this, it helps explain why whenever I'm watching television and come across the church channels where there's a live gospel performance... why the bass seems lower than your typical bass. The way you explain them having to battle a learning curve in order to compensate for the altered tuning of the bass... that's very interesting. I never took that into consideration. At the same time, you typical wouldn't use a capo on a bass for other tuning applications. I don't think one would even help for this gospel drop A tuning

[@davidhackleyjr5442]

been playing a whole step down for over 20 yrs...wouldn’t want it any other way!!!

[@SmoothbassmanStudios]

I have been stepping down from the very beginning. That low B Flat was important in a lot of songs that the church was playing. I use heavy strings to hold the tension a bit better. Running a 135-140 on the B string and a 105-110 on the E string

[@lightbrown95]

I played standard for 4 years until i saw some one playing bass whose style i greatly admired. So i spoke with them and they told me that they tuned down to A. I decided to try it and i instantly loved it because the string had less tension and were "slacker" which i felt greatly increased my speed. The reason i cannot play a bass thats tuned standard or Bb is because the strings are to stiff and it takes more strength to push down. It makes me feel like i'm working to hard because my feel has already adapted to the slack strings of A tuning. As far as readjusting my brain for A tuning, i had to force my self by practicing everyday in the new tuning. It took a while getting used to but i'm glad i did it.

[@invisigoat]

I play a lot of funk and that open E is a big deal for me. I had a teacher who taught tuned down (Eb) and I have to admit that made learning more difficult for me. I'm a "standard" guy as you say. LOL! Plus I play a 5 string so Eb is covered.

[@oharris4555]

Great info. Back around 1987 my dad suggested to my brother to drop the E string to a B on a 4 string. Yeah you lost the top G, but cats were amazed that my brother had the 5 string sound on a 4 string.

[@joelnshimirimana]

Pleeeeeaaaaase do get footage of you on a gig and do vlogs. I love those. I'm sure you use a lot of the techniques you teach us. It's good to watch them work in a gig. Thank you. What's up from Seattle, Washington.

[@kendallmcgilll1019]

That's what I would like to c more of as well...live playing stuff

[@gabiarriaga]

Yes great idea bro!!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Daric's Bass Lessons Did you know that Heavy Metal Bassists tune down too? Well it allows them to sing the high notes w/o straining their voice.

[@SoloNecr0zis]

My love for music started with nu metal when I was a teenager and every band, I mean everyone down tunes. The surprise to me was to learn that gospel players do it to, lol

[@mujari]

i actually have my 5 string standard with the B dropped to A so A E A D G the low A is great and the octave being used a lot is the same fret so it's pretty cool

[@richardasare6189]

So how do you play a major scale from the B string. Because this way of tuning detuned the whole bass

[@GeroLubovnik]

Did you know... That when you tune bass down a whole set you're doing almost the same thing as the Bb Tuba- reading in concert pitch, but having to adjust the fingerings to accomodate the lower pitched instrument. Different yet, but perhaps more similar are orchestral trumpet players with trumpets in various keys having to transpose all the time. So there is a choice: Learn the fingerboard as different notes, or consider the same notes as standard tuning- but mentally transposing.

[@whykatera81]

It also makes the bass tone resonate differently. That’s why I play a whole step. Also it’s easier to bend the strings to give a different texture to musicality

[@MyNameIsJoe000]

Been playing bass on my worship team for a couple years - came in hot and heavy as an eager new disciple. I noticed the lower register in contemporay worship music and started tuning my 4 string to BEDG (I actually got the idea from a TOOL song I learned). I just ordered a super heavy gauge string set so I can tune BEAD. Until I watched your video I thought I was "cheating" by tuning down lol. Great video and background information - thanks!

[@4strings4me]

It should be noted that Joel Smith was inspired by the great Anthony Jackson.. Who tuned down for years...

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Thank you very much. I've been listening to a whole lot of Anthony Jackson of recent, and I noticed that some notes were way too low even for his Contrabass.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I tune my 5 String Bass down a half step to make the high notes easier on the Voice. Rock peeps & Metal heads also tune this way to get a heavier sound.

[@rogeliooviedo5985]

I love the sound of down tuning, specially in Gojira songs and Black Sabbath The End Gig

[@christianclement9890]

would have loved to hear that riff you play a bit in a loop, the intros so cool..

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Daric Bennett's Bass Lessons Metal Bassists tune down a half step (or even so Whole step) to get a heavier sound. Any Metal Bassists out there? I tune my 5 String Bass Guitar a half step lower than normally because it's much easier for me to sing the higher notes.

[@TheNappyboy2]

I think the vlog would be dope, I'd love to see it!

[@reueldaniel4995]

I've had a Yamaha TRB 5 String Bass for 10 years now, a good friend of mine told me about half step tune down and I tried it. I've never gone back and that 8 years now. I now play in an orchestra and I bought a Sire M7 Marcus Miller and keep it Standard tuning just for that, but playing in church is for my TRB half step please. Nice video

[@ruminantmelanoid5444]

You want fun? I play bass tuned down a half step, and I'm trying to pick up lead in standard tuning. The lead gig is Contemporary Christian Music (Hillsong, Mercy Me etc.) While may bass gig is straight Gospel. Everything on the bass gig is in Bb & Ab.

[@marccarter1350]

Love these videos, very informitive! I learn so much here. Its the same i guess as the old Blues Guitar tunings in an open D tuning. Greetings from England

[@ACGDesigns]

Great video bruh! Tuning down would drive me up the wall! LOL I would love to see some behind the scenes blogs on your channel.

[@bak1386]

Interesting, I've been wondering that for a little while. Not my thing personally but definitely good to know

[@rpennon6912]

One of my favorite bass players... Thanks D😁

[@Bantubrotha]

In 1980 I started (5 string) tuning down to A because I was competing with the Church organ. Since then I have modified basses to give me the feel of a four string as far as the string spacing. I use heavy strings, 130-55 gauge. And the truss rod must be set to handle this. I convert 6 string bass to a 5 by removing the highest string. Change the bridge and get the nut re cut or place a new one on the neck.

[@mattfoley6082]

Who made 5 string basses in 1980? I never heard one on the radio until a few years later.

[@russellburnham298]

Gig vlogs would be awesome. Greeting from Portsmouth, England.

[@tikabass]

Bb is also the favorite key of saxophone players. I really like your right hand technique by the way. I'm trying to add the thumb in my RH technique, but I find it really hard to change old habits after 30 years of playing.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

This lower tuning made it easier for lots of sings like Stevie Ray Vaughn to sing those high notes. In the cause of Stevie it also made it easier for him to play those insanely thick 13 gauge strings which are awesome but they require Olympic weight lifter strength to bend

[@joosuahollman9605]

Around 4:28 (i’m not a bassist) but shouldn’t the C be played a whole step up the fret not down (since the strings are tuned down)

[@GalenWillettMusic]

Yeah. He meant the other way. To play a C on a bass downtuned a whole step, you would put the finger where a D would be in standard tuning. Or you could use 3rd string (C string). I don’t play this way, but I might be about to start tuning down a half-step thanks to this video.

[@RH-xs8gz]

I play 5-string but still tune down a whole step. I do this so I can use heavy gauge strings to get a meatier sound while still having normal string tension.

[@keithliggins8545]

I didn't want to down tune, so I got a 7-string tuned from F#-C. I use Kalium Balanced Tension strings.

[@bassman5479]

I'm a bass player of 30 plus years and another reason for tuning down is that a lot of your keyboard players would not take the time to learn to play in major keys such as E, A, B, D, so they would play in Eb, Bb, Ab, Db because it's easier.

[@yawaddaeampomah7983]

Thanks for the explaination

[@wjotaj83]

Thank you sir. You are a blessing. I'm fully Subscribed. God bless!

[@theofficialjay2038]

Can you break down to me on how to tune my 5 string in flats Trynna do B flat , E flat, A flat, C sharp, F sharp but just need help and guidance on how to tune my bass that way

[@darindjking7463]

Maestro Bennett...I appreciate your views as to why those of us who play Gospel Bass, as a part of our acumen, drop tune down...and your explanation is quite plausible...and has a GREAT DEAL of accuracy. Is it ok if I (one who has been playing bass near as long, if not longer than AG, offer a simpler and more practical reason as to why the "Church Cats" (which I have become for the past 23years) began to drop tune?? ( and this includes Maestro AG). It's because the church music shifted and began to use synth bass or more prevalently the foot key pedals on the Hammond organ to play basslines. Traditionally the "Church Musician"/MD..would be the organist and he/she fancied themselves the Center of the musical attention and were accustomed to having the LOW bass rumbling underneath them as they played...they in fact actually CRAVE it...and when a bassist playing a 4 string bass was introduced to the music ministry...the organist who by this time wasn't feeling the Bass Guitar underneath him/her, would start playing bass with their feet and their attack of the bass line (their bass feel) would clash with and step on the lines that the bassist was playing or simply overwhelm and overtake the bassist all together...and the musical fight began..😂 When the bassists started trying out 5 and 6 string basses and were able to hit that low B...well it helped a GREAT deal but it wasn't enough because the organist STILL had access to 2 additional half steps...down to A...so the fight continued...but when AG went down to A and tuned everything in 4ths (ADGCF+Ab..if he was playing a 6 str) it IMMEDIATELY settled the argument and forced the (pain in the arse) organists to take their left foot off of the pedal keys..because they could feel the rumble they wanted without having to put forth the effort...it also teaches the organist to play more as a team of players rather than everything musical being about them. Everyone could get back to staying in their own lane and playing the songs and do more ACCOMPANYING of the choir...as it should be...so.. the short version? 😂😂😂...we all did it to eliminate having to compete with the Low A of the key pedals on the church organ...(call AG and verify this...he'll tell you)😂😂😂😂🤣❤️😎👍🏾🎼🎵🎶🎵🔥🔥

[@darindjking7463]

I'm sorry (my old brain and DUMB PHONE) Correction ADGCFBb...DUH!!🙄😎👍🏾🎼🎶🎵

[@aftalavera]

Thank you for all you sharing!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Daric Bennett's Bass Lessons Did you know Rock Bands like Van Halen & Guns & Roses tune down a half step too? They do it because it's much easier to sing the higher notes.

[@Vonerich1424]

Glad to hear this! I thought I was by myself 😅

[@aiconic10]

I've been playing bass all my life. I get it with a four string. There's no point in doing this on a 5 or 6 string bass. Having said that if you play bass and think this makes sense and you feel you can't live without it and it makes you play better. Then have at it. To each his own.

[@1koolkat1]

2:43 C# ??!! --> Db all day homey! :-)

[@hansombrother1]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@amitoooldtolearnbass1395]

Yes, vlog everything!!!!

[@daricsbasslessons]

Lol cool

[@guy0839]

what was the name of song and where can we here the whole version you play @7:39

[@Daddyo31]

Man....What is that tune you were playing in the clip???? I wanna hear the whole thing!!!

[@bryanleigh6497]

Loads of musos tune down, going back to Hendrix via SRV. Many local pub players do it. It's a thing in gospel simply because it's generally a thing among players. Some do some don't.

[@montrea6]

I tune down to A to get a more range of notes and it feels better less tension pn the strings i still can play standard but i prefer tuning down all of my basses are tuned down thanks to Darrel Freeman

[@jbulletc]

Why not tune the bass a whole or half step down and use that tuning for the flat keys, then put a capo on the second fret for the rest of the songs and play it like it's in standard tuning? That way it wont feel like your fret board theory has to change. I do this on guitar a lot already when I write a whole arrangement in the key of E but the singer wants to go a half step down last minute. I just tune a half step down and put a capo on the 1st fret to put it back to standard for the rest of the set.

[@stefanosalmaso1073]

Hello Daric, greetings from Italy! I am one of your affectionate!! I need help from you: basically I have a gospel support band and I am going crazy with the sound. I have two basses : one is a 6 string , neck through with large BARTOLINI PU. Eden historical head and speakers. This bass sounds very well (very close sound ) but sometimes I would like to use the other bass : MTD SARATOGA KINGSTON. So a JB5. It sounds great but it looks a bit of “fat sound” is missed or the B string is OK but other strings have much less volume. Please help me! Do I need a compressor ?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@eBass @UCvUGrdDxtUBlxSi4Zl-HkqQ Half Step Down tuning is also used by Guitarists. Another neat reason why they use it is because of their vocal range & it makes it easier to sing.

[@hansombrother1]

Curious, Would you say that many gospel bass players who tune down also don't read music? (Be honest!)

[@daricsbasslessons]

Honestly, I wouldn’t say that. I know a lot that do both. But as I mentioned, it’s harder to transition to down tuning after playing for a while which is my case and why I choose not to

[@XCLent0]

what is the song clip name? is it available? I would love a behind the scenes blog.

[@cuneytsonmez]

I wouldn't think that not being perfect picth would be somehow an advantage at some point; I tune down halfstep because that helps to reduce the tension on the strings, feels comfortable and provides more growling sound. Learning the new positions?! No. I transpose the chords instead; Eg. if the actual tone is A, I play B flat. I percieve the song as B flat. That's all. If the song is easy, I do it simultaneously. If it's complicated, I write down the transposed chords on the music sheet in advance. As I mentioned; I'm not perfect pitch and it doesn't bother me to hear A when my finger is on B flat.

[@MRC_5000]

somehow i discover more and more parallels to theory of various metal styles in gospel.

[@franklinbell3171]

High Daric, I'm pastor Franklin from the Island of St maarten. Love your bass playing. I would like to know, what bass are you playing in this video. It's a great sounding 5 string bass. Do they come in 6 string version. Thank you

[@keithliggins8545]

My solution was to get a Conklin 7-string and tune it F# to C.

[@georgewhite9299]

I tried tuning around F#, etc. at first, went back to B, then settled on "A". I did get complaints of playing too loud from the Pastor's comment on the Pulpit but I explained that the Volume was the same and the tuning was what caused the plaques and photos to vibrate More on his Study Walls. A very light touch on a floppy F# was required and a good set-up but after a return back to B, I finally made it back to "A". Oh, my Golliath Sr. 6x10 really Didn't Sound Loud but moved a lot of air in the Sanctuary! All 4 of my basses STAY TUNED with "A" on the bottom and I use 120's on the Conklin-7 and 125's moving toward 120's on the Tune, Stingray and Bass Mods! Ampeg BA115 direct to board at Church, a pair of 12's, and others equip. elsewhere. I also play Jazz, Old School R&B. 😋🙏💒👍🎻🔊

[@ricardojmestre]

Awwww your tone 🤯

[@bradh6185]

I'm getting ready to break down and buy a 5- string. There have just been too many times that I've needed one at church. I want to get one that is really good for modern gospel. What should I be looking for or what should I stay away from? I like Lakland. They sound good and have some affordable options. But what about pickups, preamps, strings, etc? Anything I should know about fretboard wood?

[@adityarao5721]

Real question is why are Gospel songs in Flats keys and why not in Normal keys?

[@richsnyder]

That's a pretty sick Elrick!

[@andreswaringer1476]

Which one😂? It's a couple in the video

[@jemsar2]

Changing your tuning only works if everyone else does the same. Otherwise you're gonna clash. But great experience - very cool explanation.

[@kwakudarko4546]

I know it's a bass guitar and we're supposed to be a low instrument but do you guys ever tune up cuz I do 😊

[@amitoooldtolearnbass1395]

Bringing up such a controversial topic is highly questionable in a thread about gospel music....

[@kwakudarko4546]

@@amitoooldtolearnbass1395 I don't see how it's controversial since I play in church with my 6 string and I tune up all the time

[@brianengquist2110]

Would you say that this is used in Gospel a lot because it's kind of like having a pedal point you can have ring out with those low open strings? Like an organ player)

[@daricsbasslessons]

That’s one way to look at it as well

[@d.r.1454]

What is the title of the song you were playing @ 7:34 Thanks

[@tio2x163]

I was looking in your channel and I couldn't find anything on harmonics, do you think you make a video about that?

[@tonho9615]

Helow Daric... subtítulos en castellano?...please...thank you

[@mattfoley6082]

Any problems with fret buzz when tuning down?

[@SeanMichaelRay]

Where can we hear that killer tune that you showed the clip of?

[@Swanlord05]

Nice

[@steinhalvorsen_]

Do you have any interviews with downtuners by now? 🎶

[@danielwiebe2123]

What bass are you using in this video? It’s a beauty!

[@keithowens2554]

Relative pitch?

[@davidhackleyjr5442]

one thing i’ve done to address loose strings when tuning down a whole step is cutting the strings a tad shorter in order to maintain the tension. just slightly, tho.

[@TheBartostock]

What about tuning down a 4 string to BEAD?

[@Jonathan.R.Pereira]

You have to use a 5 string Bass set of strings.

[@Dolla5101]

How do I get a deep bass tone without tuning down?

[@adamhobson1240]

What song is that at 7:35

[@kevingenous3681]

I like that half step on the 5 and 6 string. That low A sounds muddled to me. When I had a 4 string. I tuned down a whole step

[@lilkris3008]

I like to mess around with DGDG like South African metal

[@rumpledxkn]

Legit, what’s up with the strap button on the upper horn?

[@ExtremelyAverage1]

The reason I learned, is to accomodate a piano. Seems to work better for keyboard players.

[@walteixeira724]

♥

[@jakeworks7813]

What kind of bass is that?

[@gatlingun1914]

Goodness grief!! What song is that??????

[@MaliVinnyB]

OR...get a SIX string set,and for low "B", use an Octave Pedal!! DONE!!!

[@radiantmind8729]

You either have perfect pitch or you don’t, and you don’t. There’s no pretty close. Lol…

[@MaliVinnyB]

A major reason for this, is "A" 440 is NOT for SPIRITUAL MUSIC!! So,tuning Down,the RESONANT Frequency is More CONSONANT to EARTH Frequences!! And SINCE we're COSMIC Beings...Well,you get the Picture..(Or SHOULD!!) "A" 417, 432, IS,(Or WAS,) The Appropriate frequency,(Until GOEBELS came along!!)

[@georgewhite9299]

Huh!??

[@JayReed124]

This dude possessed?

[@GalenWillettMusic]

It’s a common conspiracy theory. Disregard

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@eBass @UCvUGrdDxtUBlxSi4Zl-HkqQ Half Step Down tuning is also used by Guitarists. Another neat reason why they use it is because of their vocal range & it makes it easier to sing.