List of Pro Guitar songs with *Alternative Tunings*

[daveyvandy]

After a quick read through of the thread, I didn't notice anyone mentioning Free Bird. There's a section about a non-standard tuning for at least one of the guitars: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Bird#Slide_guitar

Namely, the B string was tuned down to a G. I don't own a pro guitar, but I experimented with my acoustic guitar, following along with a YouTube video of the chart, and IIRC (at least parts of) the solo sounded wrong if played with a standard tuning, but correcting for the tuning down made it okay.

Someone with actual guitar experience could maybe verify.

I played along with Free Bird on standard tuning. You're right that it sounds a little out of tune during one of the solos, but what are we supposed to do? Re-tune mid-song? Also, it was only a short part of the solo (granted I was playing on Medium). Maybe someone else has an opinion?

Also, some updates to the list:

The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me: changed to D tuning (definitely not Eb tuning)
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World: F tuning

[rrwoods]

I've set up a spreadsheet if people want:

http://tinyurl.com/4k7s2fg

Anyone can edit it, even not signed in. It'll automagically tell you what the note names are for the six strings, all you have to do is give it the name of the tuning and the capo/downtune (negative numbers for tuning down and positive numbers for capoing). I've got a couple sample songs in there right now. (Rock Lobster is entered but I have no idea what its tuning should actually be)

If a tuning you need isn't in the list just add it and it'll work.

It always shows the flat-names for b/# notes, I don't know any way around this, but the note names aren't "wrong" (even if sometimes the sharp name is more desirable).

[celebritykillingspree]

I hate to keep beating a dead horse but... if they aren't going to include this in the game why doesn't HMX at least post this information here?

It's awesome that fans are so eager to experiment and pin these down, but there are still a lot of varying opinions on something that shouldn't have to be speculated on in the first place. I you buy a professional guitar tab book all of the required information for each guitar comes standard written right at the top of the first page. No guess work needed.

HMX can someone on your staff please post a list of all the various guitar tunings your professional guitar/bass parts are transcribed in? Henry... Pope... Anybody?

[daveyvandy]

I added a few songs in there - Antibodies and I Got You are both Eb tuning.

Also, I noticed a few songs are probably alternative tunings but I haven't figured them out yet:
The Con, Werewolves of London, Caught in a Mosh. I'll try to figure them out, but if you know them please post!

[alex_rb]

I think "Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon is tuned down a whole step D-G-C-F-A-D

[Mega-Tallica]

Caught In A Mosh is in standard and ^ Blood And Thunder is indeed in D Standard.

[ricecake]

I'm pretty sure Werewolves of London is in an open tuning, maybe open E?

[demonhellcat]

A cautionary note:

I just thought I may point out that trying to tune a regular guitar with standard weight strings all the way down to drop C or B won't sound very good because the strings will be so loose. Bands that use this tuning (slipknot, disturbed, various other heavy metal bands) use either 7-8 string guitars with a low B string or they use extra heavy weight strings. Using heavy weight strings on a standard unreinforced guitar could cause permanent damage to the guitar due to the increased tension.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here. I've been playing guitar several years but I'll admit I do not have the RB Pro guitar.

[Rednaz]

A cautionary note:

I just thought I may point out that trying to tune a regular guitar with standard weight strings all the way down to drop C or B won't sound very good because the strings will be so loose. Bands that use this tuning (slipknot, disturbed, various other heavy metal bands) use either 7-8 string guitars with a low B string or they use extra heavy weight strings. Using heavy weight strings on a standard unreinforced guitar could cause permanent damage to the guitar due to the increased tension.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here. I've been playing guitar several years but I'll admit I do not have the RB Pro guitar.

You are correct. I should mention that placing anything but the standard weight strings on the RB Squier (I can't remember, like 9, its in the manual) will void the warranty. However, just for learning the guitar outside the game you could just use a parallel tuning (drop D instead of drop C for example) before getting a guitar for the lower tunings (my first Squier has heavy strings, and I don't mind if it damages the guitar since it was really cheap and I got it 4 years ago, but it still sounds pretty good).

[Mega-Tallica]

A cautionary note:

I just thought I may point out that trying to tune a regular guitar with standard weight strings all the way down to drop C or B won't sound very good because the strings will be so loose. Bands that use this tuning (slipknot, disturbed, various other heavy metal bands) use either 7-8 string guitars with a low B string or they use extra heavy weight strings. Using heavy weight strings on a standard unreinforced guitar could cause permanent damage to the guitar due to the increased tension.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here. I've been playing guitar several years but I'll admit I do not have the RB Pro guitar.

You're right. If the RB3 pro guitar comes with 9 gauge strings, the lowest you'll be able to go tuning wise is probably Drop C, anything lower and it'll sound like crap and you're strings will be floppy and uncomfortable to play. There are a few alternatives, probably the most common is increasing the string gauge. Generally, if you want to play Slipknot's "Before I Forget" which is in Drop B, for best results, you'll want at least 12-13 gauge strings, 9 gauge does not work for such low tunings. But, if it voids the warrant, you may want to consider just playing the song in a different tuning or different key.

I'd recommend 10 gauge strings since they are the most versatile and most common gauge strings used.