TUNING REFERENCE

Tenor (Bass) tuning

A · D · G · C

Tenor (Bass) is a 4-string bass tuning with open strings A–D–G–C.

Instrument
4-String Bass
Strings
4
Open notes
A D G C
With octaves
A0 D1 G1 C2

FREE FRETBOARD REFERENCE

A Minor on the fretboard

Find each scale tone in a catalog tuning. Filled notes marked R are roots; outlined notes are other tones. Open strings are fret 0.

Choose a scale to see it in Tenor (Bass). A scale does not need to contain every open-string note to be played in this tuning.

4-String Bass referenceA Minor scale in this tuning

4-String Bass · Tenor (Bass) · Frets 0–12 · All scale tones

A Minor in Tenor (Bass) on 4-String BassPhysical string order is preserved, with the first catalog string at the bottom. Read exact frets and pitches in the table below. Roots carry an R marker.0123456789101112A0D1G1C2String 1, fret 0: A0, rootARString 1, fret 2: B0BString 1, fret 3: C1CString 1, fret 5: D1DString 1, fret 7: E1EString 1, fret 8: F1FString 1, fret 10: G1GString 1, fret 12: A1, rootARString 2, fret 0: D1DString 2, fret 2: E1EString 2, fret 3: F1FString 2, fret 5: G1GString 2, fret 7: A1, rootARString 2, fret 9: B1BString 2, fret 10: C2CString 2, fret 12: D2DString 3, fret 0: G1GString 3, fret 2: A1, rootARString 3, fret 4: B1BString 3, fret 5: C2CString 3, fret 7: D2DString 3, fret 9: E2EString 3, fret 10: F2FString 3, fret 12: G2GString 4, fret 0: C2CString 4, fret 2: D2DString 4, fret 4: E2EString 4, fret 5: F2FString 4, fret 7: G2GString 4, fret 9: A2, rootARString 4, fret 11: B2BString 4, fret 12: C3C

Notes-per-string views select the first matching scale tones on each string at or above the starting fret, within a 12-fret window. These are position studies: crossing strings can repeat or skip pitches. They are not guaranteed continuous ascending runs or finger assignments. Four-note layouts can require stretches or position shifts.

Fret positions and pitches · first catalog string to last
Open stringFretsNotes with octaves
1 · A00 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 10 · 12A0 · B0 · C1 · D1 · E1 · F1 · G1 · A1
2 · D10 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12D1 · E1 · F1 · G1 · A1 · B1 · C2 · D2
3 · G10 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 12G1 · A1 · B1 · C2 · D2 · E2 · F2 · G2
4 · C20 · 2 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 9 · 11 · 12C2 · D2 · E2 · F2 · G2 · A2 · B2 · C3

Intervals from the first string

Each interval is measured by pitch class from the first physical open string. String order is preserved for re-entrant and doubled-course tunings.

StringNoteSemitonesInterval
1A00Root
2D15Perfect 4th
3G110Minor 7th
4C23Minor 3rd

Compare with Standard (Bass)

Pitch changes in semitones for each physical string, compared with Standard (Bass). Negative values lower the pitch; positive values raise it. Check your instrument and string gauges before changing register.

StringDefault pitchThis tuningChange
1E1A0-7 semitones
2A1D1-7 semitones
3D2G1-7 semitones
4G2C2-7 semitones

Explore this string layout

Browse 4-string bass tunings. Related tunings below prioritize the default tuning, matching interval structures, and nearby open-string pitches.

Scales containing every open-string pitch class

C MajorC Major pentatonicD MinorD Minor pentatonicE MinorF MajorF Major pentatonicG Major

Related tunings

Standard (Bass)Drop D (Bass)

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