Tuning Commentary

Hi!

I am writing to speak about an experience I did with my SB8. I love Bach but every time I tried to play his pieces I had problems with hands crossing, and I realized the problem was the strings position. My left hand had to cross all the neck to play the lower strings, the same occurring with the right hand and the higher strings, so each hand could use only the part of the scale that was not occupied with the other. I thought it would be probably easier, actually more logical, if the strings were inverted, with the lower strings placed near my left hand and the higher near the right hand. Well, finally after a long time of hesitation I changed the strings placement and the result is really amazing! In the beginning it was a little bit strange. I had to reeducate the fingers (and the brain) to go in the opposite direction they were trained to, but after a very short time I felt comfortable with the changes. I have no more problems with hands crossing because each hand is now totally free to use all the extension of the scale independent of the other hand’s position. It opened an entire new world of possibilities to play. Besides, I feel the hands, mostly the left wrist, more relaxed in this new position. So this is the tuning, a "Reversed Bass 4ths":

1. B
2. E (+4th)
3. A (+4th)
4. D (+4th)
5. G (+4th)
6. C (+4th)
7. F (+4th)
8. Bb(+4th)

I have also a little curiosity to show. I am actually a percussionist and as the most drum players I know, I always carry with me a practicing pad. As I was missing something like this to practice fingering in places were it was impossible to have The Stick, I decided to make one. I am sending you a photo of this "Stick pad." It helps me a lot. Well, that’s it. I am very happy to be the owner of a SB8; your instrument is really great! Thanks!

Guenther