These days, modern rockers are experimenting with everything from crazy effect pedals to six-string bass guitars. A great way to expand your range on the instrument and to approximate five- or six-string basses is to experiment with alternate tunings.

A common tactic is to lower the E string by a whole step. This is a popular alternative tuning with some bassists who play hard rock or metal. By lowering the pitch of any guitar, it makes the tone sound deeper and heavier. Naturally, this is a good fit for heavy metal. If you want to try this, drop the E to a D and give Figure 7-9 a try. In this figure, you'll play D, E-flat, F, and G on the open, first, third, and fifth frets respectively.

Some rock bands prefer to drop all the strings. For example, Van Halen likes to drop their guitars by one half step so that the tuning is E-flat, A-flat, D-flat, and G-flat. Objectively speaking, this is a detuning. But for all intents and purposes, they might as well consider themselves still in standard tuning since both the bass and guitar are equally detuned.

Through experimenting with alternate tunings, new creative and expressive possibilities may open up. The only thing that is recommended is that, for the most part, you stay conscious of the real note you are playing. You should also always know the interval name or that note's relationship to the chord you are on.

Figure 7-9.

Playing in drop D

For this figure, don't forget to detune the E string to a D!