All fourths tuning
Among alternative tunings for the guitar, all-fourths tuning is a regular tuning. In contrast, the standard tuning has one irregularity—a major third between the third and second strings—while having perfect fourths between the other successive strings. The standard tuning's irregular major-third is replaced by a perfect fourth in all-fourths tuning, which has the open notes E2-A2-D3-G3-C4-F4.
| All fourths | |
|---|---|
The consecutive open notes of all-fourths tuning are spaced apart by five semitones on the chromatic circle, which lists the twelve notes of the octave. | |
| Basic information | |
| Aliases | Perfect-fourths tuning |
| Interval | Perfect fourth |
| Semitones | 5 |
| Example(s) | E-A-D-G-C-F |
| Advanced information | |
| Other instruments | Bass guitar |
| Repetition | No |
| Advantages | Closely approximates standard tuning |
| Disadvantages | Difficult to play conventional music, especially barre chords |
| Left-handed tuning | All-fifths tuning |
| Associated musician | |
| Guitarist | Stanley Jordan Alex Hutchings Tom Quayle |
| Jazz musician Stanley Jordan stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical". | |
| Regular tunings (semitones) | |
| Trivial (0) | |
| Minor thirds (3) | |
| Major thirds (4) | |
| All fourths (5) | |
| Augmented fourths (6) | |
| New standard (7, 3) | |
| All fifths (7) | |
| Minor sixths (8) | |
| Guitar tunings | |
Among regular tunings, this all-fourths tuning best approximates the standard tuning.
In all guitar tunings, the higher-octave version of a chord can be found by translating a chord by twelve frets higher along the fretboard. In every regular tuning, for example in all-fourths tuning, chords and intervals can be moved also diagonally. For all-fourths tuning, all twelve major chords (in the first or open positions) are generated by two chords, the open F major chord and the D major chord. The regularity of chord-patterns reduces the number of finger positions that need to be memorized. Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical".
Among all regular tunings, all-fourths tuning E-A-D-G-C-F is the best approximation of standard tuning, which is more popular. All-fourths tuning is traditionally used for the bass guitar; it is also used for the bajo sexto.
Allan Holdsworth stated that if he were to learn the guitar again he would tune it in all-fourths.