Proper E 9th tuning

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

I need some clarification about the Emmons E 9th chromatic tuning chart I have been using. I will use just one string for my question. String 1 is F#+4.
I use a BOSS TU-12EX tuner. Does that mean I adjust so that the needle is 2 lines right of centre? (Each line being 2 increments) The reason I ask is because my sons, who both have virtually perfect pitch, keep telling me that strings 1 and 7, both F#, are never in tune. Is this how it should be or am I tuning incorrectly?
Hans
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Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Robbie Daniels · From: Casper, Wyoming, USA

Hans, Herb did an excellent example for you using the Korg tuner. I use Neumans tempered tuning which works quite well for me. the F# for E9 is tuned 441.5 hertz or +6 cents which is slightly past first calibration from 440. E9 needs to be temper tuned and that is the reason I use a Peterson tuner. The Peterson has the tempered settings programed into the strobe tuner. Most of the time I don't even need to listen to it. I just tune by the scope.
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Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Robbie,
This was Jeff Newman's original tuning chart when he advised tuning the E's to 440.

Joseph Barcus · From: Volga West Virginia

my guitar plays fine tuned straight up people take that tempered thing a little to far just my 2 cents worth
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Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Click on "Search" at the top of the Forum page and search for "tuning" or "ET" or "JI" and you'll find more to read about this subject than you can stand. No topic has been more thoroughly chewed over on the Forum.

Hans Penner · From: Manitoba, Canada

OK, thanx for your input. I suggest this thread be closed since more can be found by searching for"tuning" or "ET" or "JI" I plan to do this search. Also, Robbie, I plan to look into a Peterson tuner. Hans
_________________
At long last, July 14, 2011 and I have a musical instrument I CAN play.
Stage One, Nashville 112, Hilton pedal, Black Box

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

Peter, may i suggest you learn how to tune w: Harmonics first
is'nt that how steelers did before tuners ?
it's a good way of knowing the instrument

" tuning by harmonics "

the E9 tuning has 2 open chords : E & B
when you tune, you'll have to refer to both
(as well as A w: pedals A & B engaged)
& eventually F# minor chord
that makes 4 fundamentals that basically get tuned to 440 or 442 : E - B - A - F#

lever E lowers Es a half
lever F raises Es a half
lever G raises F#s a whole
lever D lowers Eb a half
lever V lowers Bs a half

you will be using frets 5 - 7 - 12 - & 4 !
you can get a harmonic on the 4th fret - certainly not as easy as on frets 5,7 & 12
look for it, it's there

here we go :

push pedals A&B down first & tune the Es (strings 4 & 8 ) to 440 or 442 as your initial ref
release & then you're off

Open/no pedals for starters - pedals & levers will follow
using harmonics on each :
on left reference tone / on right string to tune

E : string 8 fret 5 / string 4 fret 12

B : string 10 fret 5 / string 5 fret 12

F# : string 5 fret 7 / String 1 fret 12 - string
F# : string 1 fret 12 / string 7 fret 5

G# : string 8 fret 4 ( yep 4) / string 6 fret 5
G# : string 4 ( yep 4 ) / string 3 fret 5

Eb : string 5 fret 4 / string 2 fret 5

E : string 8 w: A&B fret 5 / string 6 w: A&B fret 7

A : string 6 w: A&B fret 5 / string 3 w: A&B fret 12
A : string 6 w: A&B fret 12 / string 9 fret 7

C# : string 5 w: A&B fret 12 / string 10 w: A&B fret 5
C# : string 6 w: B&C fret 4 / string 4 w: B&C fret 7
C# : string 6 w: B&C fret 4 / string 5 w: B&C fret 5

Eb : string 2 fret 12 / string 4 w lever E fret 12
Eb : string 2 fret 12 / string 8 w: lever E fret 5

B(G# lever): string 5 fret 5 / string 7 w: lever G fret 4
G# : string 3 fret 12 / string 1 w: lever G fret 12

F : string 5 w: A&B fret 4 / string 4 w: lever F fret 5
F : string 4 w: lever F fret 12 / string 8 w: lever F fret 5

Bb : string 7 fret 4 / string 5 w: lever V fret 5
Bb : string 5 w: lever V fret 12 / string 10 w: lever V fret 5

D : string 9 fret 5 / string 2 w: lever D fret 12

a word to the wise : compromise is inevitable
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when tuning strings 1(F#) - 2(Eb)- 7(F#) note that the root/reference is B ......NOT... E
F# being the fifth & Eb being the third of B :
the fifth of B gets the same treatment/value as the fifth of E
the third of B gets the same treatment/value as the third of E
last but not least (the plot sickens lol)
when tuning F# on string 4 w: pedal C : F# is the root tone since the ref is an F# minor chord
here again it will get it's own treatment/value

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

There is a video of Jeff Newman showing how to tune with a small tuner on the Austin Steel Guitar Co-op Free Stuff page.
http://steel-guitar-austin.com/Free-Stuff.html
It is part of the learning curve to figure out a tuning method that works for you.
Good luck satisfying someone with perfect pitch.
Ask them if an F# is in tune on a electric keyboard.
Depends on what context it is being used.. Root, 3rd, 5th, 6th notes of a cord
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Kevin Klimek · From: Minnesota, USA

Like others have said before me...I tune straight up for the most part. My left knee push up I tune 'by ear' as that one seems a bit sour when tuned straight up. From there I let my ears be the judge. I've worked with several keyboard players and everyone seems happy and in tune. My two cents.

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