| The New Standard Tuning (NST) is a special type of guitar tuning, introduced by Robert Fripp of King Crimson. Although used by a small number of players in comparison to the standard guitar tuning (referred to as 'Old Standard Tuning' by NST players), it has gained some popularity among experimental guitarists, and is the tuning taught at Fripp's Guitar Craft. The tuning is (from low to high): C(6th string) - G(5th) - D(4th) - A(3rd) - E(2nd) - G(1st). The lowest four strings are tuned just like a cello, i.e. in fifths from a low C. The second string is another fifth up from the A to an E, and the first string is a minor third up from the E to a G. Since the lowest five strings are tuned in fifths, typical fingerings for chords and scales used on the violin, cello, and mandolin are applicable here. The minor third between the top strings allow denser chords in the high range of the scale, and easier access to some elementary chord tones (typically the thirteenth for chords with the root note on the sixth string, and the ninth and flat ninth for chords with the root note on the fifth string, see chord). NST has a greater range than the Old Standard Tuning, approximately a perfect fifth (a major third lower and a minor third higher). Scales across two strings in NST also line up nicely into coherent tetrachords or four-note patterns that have a visually rational relationship (whole and half-tone relationships have a remarkable symmetry that can be easier to learn than the OST whose intervals from 6 to 1 have the (inconsistent) major third thrown in the middle of the scale. This fifths-based tuning does present a downside, however: wider harmonic intervals between consecutive strings make certain closely-voiced jazz chords impractical requiring an interpretive phrasing on the part of the guitarist. The first video is an improvisation without overdubs or edits. Spontaneous composition by Mike Roze on Synthesizer and Dennis Tirch on electric and synthesized guitar in Robert Fripp's New Standard Tuning. The video is an abstract composition edited and created by Mike Roze. |
| Improvisation on Good Friday (New Standard Tuning) Steve Ball playing "Airport Exercise" (New Standard Tuning C-G-D-A-E-G) |
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