George Kress and the All-Fifths Guitar Tuning
In the early days of jazz, musicians often transitioned between instruments, bringing the technical logic of one to another. George Kress, a notable figure in early jazz guitar, followed this path by moving from the banjo to the guitar. This transition led him to adopt a unique approach to string tension and harmony known as all-fifths tuning.
The Transition from Banjo to Guitar
Before establishing his signature sound on the guitar, Kress played the banjo. Specifically, the tenor banjo utilizes a tuning system where consecutive strings are tuned in intervals of fifths (C-G-D-A). This interval—the distance between two notes where the second is five scale steps above the first—creates a distinct harmonic structure.
Kress adapted this logic to the six-string guitar, implementing an all-fifths tuning of B♭-F-C-G-D-A. To ensure the instrument remained playable and balanced, he down-tuned the A-string by one octave.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Impact on Sound and Performance
The shift to fifths tuning was not merely a preference but a technical choice that altered the instrument's sonic profile. According to Richard Lieberson, this specific tuning provided Kress with fuller chords and basslines, allowing for a richer texture in his jazz arrangements.
While Kress utilized various tunings on the banjo and tenor guitar early in his career, the all-fifths system became a hallmark of his style. Interestingly, when his duet works with Dick McDonough were published, the music was transposed from Kress's custom fifths tuning back into standard guitar tuning to make them accessible to the general public.
All-Fifths Tuning Across Other Instruments
While uncommon for the modern guitar, tuning in fifths is a standard practice for several other stringed instruments. This consistency across the orchestral and folk families allows for similar fingering patterns across different sizes of instruments.
- Violin and Viola
- Cello
- Mandolin and Mandola
- Mandocello
Key Facts
- George Kress transitioned from banjo to guitar, influencing his tuning choices.
- The tenor banjo is tuned in fifths: C-G-D-A.
- Kress's specific guitar tuning was B♭-F-C-G-D-A, with the A-string tuned down an octave.
- All-fifths tuning is credited with producing fuller chords and basslines.
- Published duets with Dick McDonough were transposed to standard tuning.
| Instrument | Tuning Interval | Specific Notes/Strings |
|---|---|---|
| Tenor Banjo | Fifths | C-G-D-A |
| George Kress Guitar | Fifths | B♭-F-C-G-D-A (A down one octave) |
| Violin/Cello/Mandolin | Fifths | Varies by instrument |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is all-fifths tuning?
All-fifths tuning is a method of tuning an instrument where each consecutive string is tuned an interval of a fifth apart, rather than the fourths typically found in standard guitar tuning.
Why did George Kress use this tuning on the guitar?
Kress adapted the tuning from his experience playing the tenor banjo. This approach allowed him to achieve fuller basslines and richer chord voicings.
How did Kress modify the standard fifths sequence for the guitar?
He used the sequence B♭-F-C-G-D-A, but he tuned the A-string down one octave to better suit the guitar's range.
Were George Kress's published works written in fifths tuning?
No. Although he performed them in fifths tuning, his duets with Dick McDonough were transposed into standard tuning for publication.
What other instruments use fifths tuning?
Fifths tuning is common in the violin family (violin, viola, cello) and the mandolin family (mandolin, mandola, mandocello).