Tuning Help

Subject: Tuning Help
From: Deskjet
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 02:27 PM

I picked up a ukelele - like instrument the other day and need help in tuning it. It's a Japanese made Yasuma; I think the model number is T-25. It has ten strings comprising sets of 2,3,3,2. How to tune? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 03:29 PM

Thre are several different tunings, but one of the best tunings .ist string is A. second stringis E,third stringisC,fourth stringG. The fourth string is omly a tone lower than the first. are you sure it is a UKULELE.

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 03:49 PM

You might try emailing the folks at this place, as they have a pic of a 10 string Ukelele by Yasuma here:


http://www.coconutgrovemusic.com/instrumentsM-Z/yasumatiple.htm



    (sorry my puter won't do a blue clicky"

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Tootler
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 04:59 PM

blue clicky

Interesting looking instrument, though I can't imagine why anyone would want three strings on one note - then I play things you blow down

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 05:10 PM

Although it is often referred to as a 10-string ukulele, I believe this is actually a "tiple" (pronounce "TEE-play" in Spanish). South American instrument, I believe. Martin used to make a very nice tiple.

On the triple string courses, I believe one of the three is tuned an octave below the other two. Tiples have a very nice sound. A bit like a ukulele on steroids.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 06:34 PM

I don't know if this will help, or just confuse the issue. I got it off this web site (lots of interesting poop here):

Clicky

Ukelele: A D F# B (4th string, "A", in higher octave, re-entrant tuning)
Tiple: (Pronounced TEE-play) C E A D (South American version. 4th string, "C", is octaved)
Tiple: (Pronounced TIPPLE) A D F# B (North American version. 2nd, 3rd and 4th, "A", "D", and "F#", are octaved)
Braguinha (Madeira Island): D G B D (also known as machete de braga)
Raj㯼 (Madeira Island): D G C E A (Re-entrant tuning: G is octave higher. True forerunner of the ukulele (G C E A, or on US mainland and England, A D F# B)
Cavaquinho (Portugal): G G B D (Gs are in unison, same octave) This is the Portugese mainland version of the braguinha.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 06:38 PM

Here's the tuning of a GHS tiple string set: GHS 10-string tiple set.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 06:40 PM

(Should have added that the middle string of the 3 string courses is an octave down).

Mick

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Aug 06 - 08:45 PM

Tiple - Same as charanga ( I DONT guarantee the spelling) I believe used an Armadillo shell for the body traditionally - LOVELY melody instrument , tuned as Uke so easy to play the basics ! A LOT easier to keep in tune than a Twelve String Mandolin !!

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Deskjet
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:21 AM

Thanks for all that folks. Spot on.The blue clicky from Tootler is it! I'm on holidays here in sunny Spain and picked it up at a local market. I'll try MCP's recommended tuning and see how I get on. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Kaleea
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:00 PM

Tootler--

Years ago, I got a 17 stringed Laud from Spain. It's tuned in 6 courses & some of the courses have 3 strings. I probably got it to find out the answer to your question. I still don't know the answer, but it's fun to play. And even more fun to hand to a fellow Musician. Tuning it is an indescribable experience. I think the Tiple is probably more practical.

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:29 PM

"can't imagine why anyone would want three strings on one note "

Doing some meditating a while ago, (having studied Music Theory...) and I achieved a 'point of enlightenment' about 'Modes' and stringed instruments...

Many people think that the lowest pitched string sets the 'home key'. Wrong. Many 'Modes' require a drop down to a fifth below the Tonic.

So the Second lowest pitched string defines the instrument natural 'Home Key' - a very good reason WHY the tiple is strung with 3 strings for the Second lowest pitch string.

Of course, there is no reason why the lowest pitch string cannot be used as the Tonic - but you can only then play certain 'Modes'.

Now as to WHY the next lowest pitched string is also tripled - for most tunes in one of the 'Modes' - you will usually need to play the melody on TWO strings ...

So - if an instrument 'grows up' in a culture that plays a certain style of music - it will reflect that. If others in other cultures 'borrow' the instrument, they may not understand the original purpose.

Subject: Yasuma Tiple
From: Deskjet
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 05:41 PM

My Tiple now has new strings and is tuned to BF#DA ie as 10 string Martin Tiple would be.I have been unable to locate chord diagrams.Does anyone know where I may find some? Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Tuning Help
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 30 Aug 06 - 07:43 PM

Not a chart, but if you want to find some chords to start with you can use this site: Chord Voicings - put in the tuning in the drop downs (x for the courses you don't have), put in the chord you want and press the Find Voicings button - it will give you a selection of voicings for the chord.

Mick