Ostrich guitar
Encyclopedia
Ostrich guitar is an alternative guitar tuning
in which all the guitar strings are tuned to the same pitch class
(often D, but A#, F and B have also been noted). The term was coined by The Velvet Underground
's Lou Reed
after the pre–Velvet Underground song "The Ostrich" by Lou Reed and The Primitives, on which this tuning was first used. Reed later applied it on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico on the songs "Venus in Furs
" and "All Tomorrow's Parties
".
1d ----- * downtuned to d (from e to d)
2d ----- * uptuned to d (from B to d)
3D ----- * downtuned to D (from G to D)
4D ----- * left at standard
5D ----- * uptuned to D (from A to D)
6D ----- * downtuned to D (from E to D)
According to an interview with drummer Maureen Tucker
in What Goes On? No. 4, Reed's ostrich guitar was a guitar that had had its frets removed, and was stolen shortly after the album sessions.
Soundgarden
uses the ostrich tuning E-E-E-E-E-E on the song "Mind Riot
". Coldplay
used the tuning F-F-F-f-f-f on the song "42". This tuning was only used by one guitarist, Jonny Buckland
, while Chris Martin
played an acoustic guitar in standard tuning with a capo
at the first fret.
Scordatura
A scordatura , also called cross-tuning, is an alternative tuning used for the open strings of a string instrument, in which the notes indicated in the score would represent the finger position as if played in regular tuning, while the actual pitch is altered...
in which all the guitar strings are tuned to the same pitch class
Pitch class
In music, a pitch class is a set of all pitches that are a whole number of octaves apart, e.g., the pitch class C consists of the Cs in all octaves...
(often D, but A#, F and B have also been noted). The term was coined by The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
's Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
after the pre–Velvet Underground song "The Ostrich" by Lou Reed and The Primitives, on which this tuning was first used. Reed later applied it on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico on the songs "Venus in Furs
Venus in Furs (song)
"Venus in Furs" is a song by The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed and originally released on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico. Inspired by the book of the same name by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the song includes sexual themes of sadomasochism, bondage and...
" and "All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties
"All Tomorrow's Parties" is a song by The Velvet UndergroundAll Tomorrow's Parties may also refer to:* All Tomorrow's Parties , an annual festival in England...
".
1d ----- * downtuned to d (from e to d)
2d ----- * uptuned to d (from B to d)
3D ----- * downtuned to D (from G to D)
4D ----- * left at standard
5D ----- * uptuned to D (from A to D)
6D ----- * downtuned to D (from E to D)
According to an interview with drummer Maureen Tucker
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
in What Goes On? No. 4, Reed's ostrich guitar was a guitar that had had its frets removed, and was stolen shortly after the album sessions.
Soundgarden
Soundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
uses the ostrich tuning E-E-E-E-E-E on the song "Mind Riot
Badmotorfinger
Badmotorfinger is the third studio album by the American grunge band Soundgarden, released on October 8, 1991 through A&M Records. After touring in support of its previous album, Louder Than Love , Soundgarden began the recording sessions for its next album with new bassist Ben Shepherd...
". Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
used the tuning F-F-F-f-f-f on the song "42". This tuning was only used by one guitarist, Jonny Buckland
Jonny Buckland
Jonathan Mark "Jonny" Buckland is an English guitarist and musician, best known as the lead guitarist of the band Coldplay.-Early life:...
, while Chris Martin
Chris Martin
Christopher Anthony John "Chris" Martin is an English song-writer, who is the lead vocalist, pianist and rhythm guitarist of the band Coldplay. He is married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow.-Early life:...
played an acoustic guitar in standard tuning with a capo
Capo
A capo is a device used on the neck of a stringed instrument to shorten the playable length of the strings, hence raising the pitch. It is frequently used on guitars, mandolins, and banjos. G.B...
at the first fret.