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Need help changing tunes

Jack13 - 3-7-2009 at 01:13 AM

Today I read somewhere that this tuning C,F,A,D,G,C It's not used anymore, so I tried to change the tuning to F,A,D,G,C,F I thought this was the most common tuning for Arabic style, but when I was tuning the 3rd string (D) it broke.
I don't know if I should stick with my original tuning or what to do or how to do it. Any Advice?

Reda Aouad - 3-7-2009 at 01:33 AM

Are you using the same strings and change their tuning from C,F,A,D,G,C to F,A,D,G,C,F ?

If that is the case, you should be happy you didn't damage your soundboard or ripped the bridge off. Tuning your strings higher than what they are made for would highly increase the tension on them as well as on the bridge and soundboard and would most probably damage your oud. It was normal that the string broke by changing it's tuning from A to D (a 4th higher). You should definitely get a new set of strings with the appropriate tension for the second tuning.

Both tunings are still in use and it is a matter of preference which one to use. Of course, the first one enhances the basses and u'll have one more string as drone (the bass C string) and the second one is for getting higher in pitches with more ease. And to combine, people play 7-course ouds tuned C,F,A,D,G,C,F.

Jack13 - 3-7-2009 at 03:07 AM

Yeah I was using the same strings and I got lucky I didn't break the bridge, but is there any specific strings for each tuning? I'm a beginner and i don't know the difference. Thank you for your advice though.

Marcus - 3-7-2009 at 03:44 AM

Hi Jack13 :wavey:

just search for the forum-member Matthias. He have a great knowledge about strings and tunings.
He also runs a online-shop where you can order lots of different strings,even custom-sets for any tuning you like.

PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE FOR YOUR OUD! It is always a sad thing to read about damaged ouds.

All the best,

Marcus

danieletarab - 3-12-2009 at 03:53 PM

Hi!
you can try to change the gauge of your strings, but actually it's not true than c,g,d,a,f (or G) c (or D) tuning is not used anymore!
Many people use the "F" one, this is true, but I think that the oud becomes almost a different instrument with such a tuning (not worse or better, just different).
I can tell you that my friend Said, a good oud player from Morocco who lives here in Palermo like me uses the F tuning, and to string its instrument, for the first string (the smallest one) he uses the "string" (I don't know the name in english) that people uses for fishing!!
and he uses a normal C set but it puts the C string as the second string, the G as third and so on..
personally I don't like that tuning but it's a matter of taste.

Another tuning you could use it if you want an "higher" sound is the turkish one which is (from the smallest..) D A E B A E (I am not sure about the last 2).

You have to know that there are plenty of tunings, but in general the first 4 strings are tuned in 5th (or in 4th, depend if you start counting from the lowest or from the highest) like your C tuning.

Good luck and pay attention to the gauge of the strings you put (:
daniele

charlie oud - 3-13-2009 at 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack13
Today I read somewhere that this tuning C,F,A,D,G,C It's not used anymore, so I tried to change the tuning to F,A,D,G,C,F I thought this was the most common tuning for Arabic style, but when I was tuning the 3rd string (D) it broke.
I don't know if I should stick with my original tuning or what to do or how to do it. Any Advice?

Firstly Jack C, F, A, d, g, c is used alot and so is 5 course only which I now use F, A, d, g, c. Im not a fan of the high f tuning because it always sounds tinny to my ears but yes, many prefer it.

Secondly, your post made me smile and then laugh because what you tried to do was basically outrageous and absurd. Really kinda crazy. Please forgive me for finding your experiment funny. Of course it would not be funny if the oud was damaged. I know you did'nt know what you were doing and I hope you now understand a little more about string tension. Use us for advice, we're happy to help, take care. Rock on buddy & Welcome to the forum, Best, Charlie.