Cittern 101

[Eddie Sheehy]

I'm finally getting a 10-string Cittern. A Joe Foley. I would like info on Tuning, Techniques, Chords (or double/treble stops), and Resources... I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the Cittern...

[Markkunkel]

I'm finally getting a 10-string Cittern. A Joe Foley. I would like info on Tuning, Techniques, Chords (or double/treble stops), and Resources... I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the Cittern...

Well, Eddie, congratulations! And a Foley to boot. Sounds like you started at the top. Hope it brings lots and lots of pleasure.

The biggest thing to know is scale length, of course, which indirectly or directly affects tuning options. My citterns are all GDAEB, for which the upper limit for string tension and usability of that upper course is about 23" I think. I love this tuning because it stays in fifths, permits all kinds of movable shapes across string groups, and with a capo on the fifth fret gives you CGDAE and a very passable mandolin voicing and fingering options.

Of course you may have a bigger beast and be after boomier rhythm playing, in which case you'll want to go to a modal tuning of some sort probably with C or D on the bottom.

Again, congratulations on the purchase and on the immersion in this new family of instruments. I found myself initially experiencing some confusion in gigs when going back and forth from 4-course to 5-course instruments, but this has all but disappeared once I sold my DGDAE cittern. It's easy for me to transfer from GDAE to GDAEB, but would have taken me a while to go back and forth otherwise.

Have fun!

Mark

[Johnozouk]

Congrats Eddie. Joe makes a fine instrument. Will you have it for ZoukFest?

All kinds of tuning possibilities out there depending on what you want to do with it. I tune my 10-String Sutherland GDADA because I want to use it primarily for melody and I like having the high A so I don't have to reach down the neck for the high notes. But, if I can ever figure out accompaniment, I can use chords that I use on the GDAD zouk--modified a bit if needed. But, accompaniment is still something that eludes me.

Are you on the cittern list at yahoo groups? You might want to join there and ask for thoughts--but be forewarned that there are folks there with strong opinions.

John

[steve V. johnson]

Congrats, Eddie, on your Joe!

I can't really get my head around five-course instruments, so I haven't owned one. I think about it a lot because from time to time there are some very attractive ones offered...

Vincent Fogarty, who plays with the tremendous North Carolina Irish trad trio, The Red Wellies, plays an enormous (in all dimensions) Joe Foley five-course instrument, and he tunes it in all D's and A's. I -think- it's DADAD, and he works a capo,
sliding it up and down as well as it's ever been done. If I read this description and hadn't heard his playing, I'd think that this
is a very limiting system. Not so. You can hear some here:

www.cdbaby.com/cd/redwellies

Thanks for this thread!

stv

[Eddie Sheehy]

It arrived today and it's a monster from 1984 - BLARZ on the label. It has a 26" scale, 1 5/8" nut, the body is 17 1/2" across and 4 5/8" deep at the bottom. The Rosewood back has a curve. The bridge has an active pickup installed - endpin jack. I'm currently using a guitar case but appreciate info on a suitable hard case or gig-bag.

[EdSherry]

I have a number of 10-string citterns. I usually tune them to DGDAE, though I have a Fylde that came tuned GDGDG, and I've left it there. I've tried CGDAE, but I find I'd rather have the "rumble" of the low D, and am willing to accept the fact that the bottom interval is different than a 'cello.

[David Surette]

I have played a 5-course Trillium for the past 2-3 years, after playing a 4-course since '94. I am a big fan of the DADAE tuning. It's especially good if you play a fair amount of melody (high E string), and it also capos really well at the fifth fret (GDGDA).
The big breakthrough for me was being able to work with lots of two and three-string chords. I use these all the time. Some four string chords, very rarely all five strings. Lots of drones on top against moving bass lines, also moving double stops on top of a drone below. I hope you have fun with your new instrument!

David

[barrangatan]

Eddie - congrats on the Foley. As a former owner of a Foley cittern I think you made an excellent choice. With the 26" scale length you are probably going to run into problem getting a high A or B on the first course, so tunings such as GDAEA or GDAEB may be out of the question. Try adding a low D or C on the fifth course instead - such as CGDAE or DADAE as recommended by David S.

Enjoy and love to see some pictures of the new Foley if you have a chance.

[groveland]

Hey Eddie, congratulations! I share your excitement. As you know, I'm strictly CGDAE on a 25.5" scale or greater, so I don't have anything to offer other than to say it can easily be done on the longer scales. Again, you are a fortunate fellow. Have fun.