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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Permalink Surf classic tunings

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Ok, So i'm new to the surf scene and the site! I have done my homework and have been playing and jamming to the classics (intoxica, penetration, WDR, pipeline etc) I noticed the centurians playing in D tuning, and as I play along with others from other groups I sometimes have an issue matching tones/notes. I know vibrato and lots of reverb along with the inherent tuning instability using tremolos but I was curious maybe there were groups playing in D all the time or half step down instead of standard like i think.

Thanks!

Recordings tape speeds were sometimes changed to make them sound better.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Mar Gaya is in drop D tuning.

I believe in the 60s there was less focus on the accuracy of tuning. Pete Townshend once remarked that they used to tune to a note on a harmonica. Electronic tuners were a long way off, even for a studio.

So, it would have been a tuning fork maybe, or more likely as long as the band are in tune the recording starts. It's hard to underestimate how little was spent on early surf recordings.

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Radio stations also sped up 45s to make the music "livelier," believing that it made audiences less likely to switch stations. That practice means not only was the tempo altered, but the pitch shifted, too.

For example Penetration was written in F#? It's much more natural to play it that way but the recording sounds like G (sped up). And strats at that time did not have a fret high enough to match the recording which made it even more puzzling to those trying to play along. Not sure if it was sped up to make it sound punchier or to make the song shorter.

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Last edited: Nov 10, 2021 13:00:42

GretschEastwood wrote:

Radio stations also sped up 45s to make the music "livelier," believing that it made audiences less likely to switch stations. That practice means not only was the tempo altered, but the pitch shifted, too.

Also, they used to speed them up so they used up less air time and they could fit more adverts in

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

Hi, standard tunning is common since then but i can tell you that i play in D tunning, also Bambi Molesters use D and Daikaiju too. Those are all bands i know that use D to play surf music. Here is a link to listen to a song of mine:
https://sysmalakian.bandcamp.com/album/what-is-drip
SONG

My latest LP Unknown Creatures by Otitis Media Records is available now on all digital platforms and colored vinyl. Listen and buy here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sysmalakian/unknown-creatures
Lessons, tabs and tutorials send an email to sysmalakian@gmail.com

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