Tuning Overview: Descant Lute Standard

This particular tuning, commonly known as Standard Tuning for the Descant Lute, extends the traditional lute's harmonic and melodic range, providing a rich, full sound with significant versatility. It's an expansive 7-course (or 7-string) tuning that offers both deep bass and bright treble notes, making it ideal for classical repertoire, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodies. The consistent intervallic structure across most strings provides a familiar landscape for players accustomed to guitar-like tunings, while the additional range opens new avenues for musical expression.

Technical Analysis

The tuning configuration is laid out as E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4-A4 from the lowest to the highest string. This arrangement primarily utilizes a series of Perfect Fourth intervals:

• E2 to A2 (Perfect Fourth)
• A2 to D3 (Perfect Fourth)
• D3 to G3 (Perfect Fourth)
• G3 to B3 (Major Third)
• B3 to E4 (Perfect Fourth)
• E4 to A4 (Perfect Fourth)

The structure closely mirrors the standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) across its middle courses, ensuring many transferable chord shapes and scale patterns. The inclusion of a low E2 string provides a foundational bass, while the high A4 extends the upper register, allowing for soaring melodies and intricate arpeggios. The presence of octaves and fifths among the open strings (e.g., E2 and E4, A2 and A4) creates a naturally resonant and harmonically rich sound.

Chordal & Melodic Implications

While not an open chord tuning in itself, the structure lends itself well to forming a wide array of harmonies. The open strings, E, A, D, G, B, E, A, contain notes that can easily form parts of E minor, A minor/major, and D minor/major chords with minimal fretting.

• Accessible Chords: Many standard guitar-like chord shapes will be directly applicable across the D-G-B-E courses (strings 5-2). Power chords and barre chords are highly versatile due to the prevalence of Perfect Fourth intervals.
• Drone and Resonance: The multiple E and A notes across octaves facilitate rich drone effects and sustained harmonies, particularly effective in renaissance and baroque music.
• Melodic Capabilities: The wide range allows for complex melodic lines that can span multiple octaves, making it excellent for solo pieces and intricate counterpoint.

How to Tune Your Lute to Descant Lute Standard Tuning

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments for all strings, predominantly tuning upwards. Please exercise caution and consider using a heavier gauge string set if your current strings are not designed for such high tension increases. Tuning up 4 semitones or more can put considerable stress on the instrument and strings, potentially leading to string breakage or damage to the instrument.

• String 7 (E2): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 6 (A2): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 5 (D3): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 4 (G3): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 3 (B3): Tune up 4 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 2 (E4): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)
• String 1 (A4): Tune up 5 semitones. (Caution: Significant tension increase. Consider string gauge.)

Below are the target notes for each string of the Descant Lute Standard Tuning, from the lowest (String 7) to the highest (String 1).

• String 7: E2
• String 6: A2
• String 5: D3
• String 4: G3
• String 3: B3
• String 2: E4
• String 1: A4