Cliff E

After enjoying a concert of classic guitar instrumentalists at a local college, I inspected their instruments to discover that a few players used alternate tunings. Not scordatura tunings, like "dropped D", but fundamental six-string tunings.

The tuning that most intrigued me was the low-B baritone tuning. So I removed the strings from a second classic guitar I own and restrung the instrument a full fourth lower with a low bass B note (the B just below cello low C).

It amazed me after all of these years of playing guitar to finally discover such a remarkable tuning with such an amazing resonance! Of course all of the notes on the fretboard are different from the standard tuning and the chords are all lowered a full fourth degree as well...still it is well worth the sight-reading effort I think.

In the Dulcimer orchestra I regularly play in I have decided to start bringing my Baritone-tuned guitar to improve the Bass resonance of the ensemble...as that is why they welcome a guitar in the orchestra.

Anyone else (with any type of guitar) have a similar experience (good or bad) with a fundamental tuning change? Thanks for any comments.

Cliff E. (classic guitarist)

Additional Details

The new tuning is, from 6th-string Bass to 1st-string Treble as follows: B / E / A / D / F# / B

Richard S.B. Pick, American concert guitarist and instructor wrote many books of Classic Guitar instruction and compositions before his death a few years ago. Sadly, all of his remarkable books are now out of print. Before his death, he tried unsuccessfully to obtain extra copies of a few titles for me but, not surprisingly, none of his former students would relinquish any coveted copies.

I have his original book of instruction, entitled "First Lessons for Classic Guitar", published in Chicago in 1959 by Forster Music Publishers but they do not have any archived copies to sell.

I am specifically looking for his book entitled "First Repertoire for Classic Guitar" if anyone has access to a copy. If so, please write and I will be happy to make financial compensation for a copy.....thanks.

Cliff E. (classic guitarist)

On most woodwind instruments, such as the clarinet, oboe, etc, the key pads are cemented in place.

On the Flute, however, the key pads are screwed in place (a mechanical connection). Does anyone know why there is this difference, other than tradition?

Cliff E. (classic guitarist)

I have a new Dell laptop computer which uses a dial-up connection (phone line) to my ISP server. After just a few minutes it disconnects automatically. This happens regularly...very annoying. I have checked my cables and the other house phones and they seem fine. Former computer used the same dial-up server without any problems. Any idea what is happening? Thanks for any help.

Cliff E.

I've used this ISP before without any problems. House phone system is sound. Cable connections tight. Using Windows Vista operating system.