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I'm planning on tuning my guitar down a half step. I believe there is way to display the chords, etc. in BIAB as if I'm using 440 tuning, even though they would really be a half step lower. For example even though my E chord would really be an Eb, BIAB would still show E in the chord sheet.

Am I imagining this?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Frank Alves
I'm planning on tuning my guitar down a half step. I believe there is way to display the chords, etc. in BIAB as if I'm using 440 tuning, even though they would really be a half step lower. For example even though my E chord would really be an Eb, BIAB would still show E in the chord sheet.

Am I imagining this?

Thanks!
Does this option deliver the setting you need? (Click on the key signature)

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It will lower the key by a 1/2 step but the chords would also change in name. I'm looking to lower the key without changing the name of the chords.

Thanks.

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So you don't want to lower the key as it appears; you want to lower the played pitch. Correct?


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Originally Posted by Frank Alves
It will lower the key by a 1/2 step but the chords would also change in name. I'm looking to lower the key without changing the name of the chords.

Thanks.
Try this and see if it gives you the result you want.

1: Start with the song in the Key of E Major
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2: Transpose the song to Eb

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3: Then Set the visual notation transpose to +1
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4: See the result:
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Thanx AT I never knew that.
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Genius! grin


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Thanks guys.

You can also set the visual transpose by clicking on the small cell immediately to the right of the Key Signature. It opens a separate drop-down menu:

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Incidentally, I didn't even know this myself. I just experimented with different options, and it worked! grin


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Really nice solution. I use this all the time because I play instruments in many keys, but I always used the choices based on common instruments. Of course no instrument i know is deliberately pitched 1/2 step ‘out’ from concert pitch. You might run into an old parlor piano …


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Originally Posted by Matt Finley
...You might run into an old parlor piano …
Ha Ha. Yes, that'd be at least 1/2 step down in one spot, and something else altogether everywhere else crazy


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Thanks, AT. As a tenor sax player, I just transpose in my head. It's something we all should learn to do.

I know alto sax players transpose in their heads too, but IMO it's a lot more difficult. Tenor is a whole step, but alto is a sixth.

If I bring out the alto, I'll have to try this.

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Thanks for your effort Audio Track!. That will do it.

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Originally Posted by Frank Alves
Thanks for your effort Audio Track!. That will do it.
That's great, Frank. I'm pleased to be able to come up with a solution.

Please consider to open your original post and mark it as [Resolved], there's a button for that. This can assist others in the future.


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AudioTrack, that's an elegant solution. Nice. Might want to make a Tips & Tricks post.

Now let's say Frank has RealTracks in his song. Will the RealTracks pitch be lowered half a step down to match Frank's guitar that's tuned down half a step?


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Originally Posted by Jim Fogle

Now let's say Frank has RealTracks in his song. Will the RealTracks pitch be lowered half a step down to match Frank's guitar that's tuned down half a step?
Right, and I think that’s the point. Shifting audio 1/2 step will be noticeable but probably acceptable. That’s why I asked for clarification.

Just curious, since I do not play guitar, how likely is it that others will want to do this?


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Originally Posted by Matt Finley
...
Just curious, since I do not play guitar, how likely is it that others will want to do this?
It's the first time I've seen this question in my time on these forums.


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Originally Posted by Jim Fogle
AudioTrack, that's an elegant solution. Nice. Might want to make a Tips & Tricks post.

Now let's say Frank has RealTracks in his song. Will the RealTracks pitch be lowered half a step down to match Frank's guitar that's tuned down half a step?
Thanks Jim.

Q: "Will the RealTracks pitch be lowered half a step down to match Frank's guitar that's tuned down half a step?"
A: In my testing, yes.
(The "élastique Pro V3" that is incorporated for RealTracks can shift both time and pitch)


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Tuning a string instrument down a half step or even a full step while not common, is not that unusual either. There are several reasons why a string musician may want to do this including relieve strain on the instrument neck, tune relative to other band members or accommodate the vocal cords of an aging singer.

I just thought about this, 12-string guitars are normally tuned down two steps, to D instead of E, so there will not be too much neck strain.

Last edited by Jim Fogle; 08/08/24 03:45 PM. Reason: Add 12-string information

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I agree that others might do this more frequently than I know. However, I don't play a stringed instrument, so I'm really not aware of how often this might requirement be encountered.

Good idea to put it in the tips and tricks section though. It just might help others in the future.


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