Hybrid Tunings, part 2

 

In this blog post, I discussed the hybrid tuning on the 18-string Contraguitar C4.   Originally, C4 (C4's headstock is shown in the above photo) was in an all octave and unison tuning.  In April 2024, I changed it to a new hybrid tuning I developed which I'd never previously used.

In March 2024, I used C4 on two compositions in its octave tuning on a recording session with Carl Clements for our seventh album release.  I'd completely forgotten about this until I received the rough mixes for the album in September 2024.  It wasn't until I'd started to listen to the rough mixes that I realized C4 was in its octave tuning for those two pieces.  I liked it.  In fact, it surprised me.  It was very distinctive and really stood out against the other instruments on the album.  

C4's voice is very rich and resonant.  The sonority of the octave tuning really works to an advantage on that instrument.  It's a lyrical and singing effect and impact.  So, this morning I put C4 back into all-octave tuning.  

I'm going to keep it there for the foreseeable future.  More to come.

-kk