Bouzouki newb tunings?

[phaeton]

Hi,

newb :-o

Just picked up a bouzouki - cos i luv the sound This baby has been tuned GDAE which is not the traditional tuning. Are there any books for bouzouki chords, scales & tunings please, Greek rather than than Celtic in this instance?

Thanks,

Ric

[allenhopkins]

Bouzouki World USA has some.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Greek tuning is the same as the top four strings of the guitar down one step.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Irish tuning for a zouk is GDAD - GDAE is for an OM...

[phaeton]

Greek tuning is the same as the top four strings of the guitar down one step.

That is cool to know - many thanks!

[phaeton]

Bouzouki World USA has some.

Many thanks - looks good!

[Eddie Sheehy]

If you're changing the tuning from Irish to Greek you will need to change the string gauges...

[phaeton]

If you're changing the tuning from Irish to Greek you will need to change the string gauges...

Thanks Eddie,

I have no idea :-o it just has the strings it came with. I have tuned her up to CFAD, the tuning pegs are not so easy to turn at this tuning. Which gauge do I need please? She will need new strings, the shop strings have slightly oxidised I have noticed.

Bests,

Ric

[allenhopkins]

Here's the D'Addario eight-string Greek bouzouki set, with the gauges labeled on the package.

NOTE that the 3rd and 4th courses are "octaved," i.e. have one thin and one thick string, tuned an octave apart -- sorta like a 12-string guitar. If you want to have those courses tuned in unison, use the heavier gauge for both strings. I assume your current set-up has the lower courses tuned in unison rather than octaves.

[phaeton]

Here's the D'Addario eight-string Greek bouzouki set, with the gauges labeled on the package..

Many thanks,

The bass strings came with their treble counterparts and were tuned one octave apart, but violin tuning. I have now retuned to traditional C tuning keeping the octave split. It looks like those must have been a Greek gauge set of strings then? I'll still need another set, those strings are old. I did not enjoy hiking the bass strings up to C, that was quite a jump from violin tuning, but I managed to get there without snapping any strings. The bouzouki is now harder on the fingers but sounds better, has a better sound to it. The machine heads will probably need to be replaced, I notice they are struggling a bit.

Bests,

Ric