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How to Tune a Dobro to Open G

In this lesson Mark walks through how he tunes the dobro, string by string. He starts from the middle G string, tunes the first and second strings to it, then matches the low strings to their octaves, and shows what flat and sharp sound like along the way.

Dobro Lessons with Mark Lavengood | Tuning

What you'll learn

• Where Mark always starts: the middle G string, the third string
• How to tune the first string (D) and the second string (B) against the G
• What a slightly tempered B is, and when you might tune to a straight B instead
• What an octave is, and how to tune the sixth string G to the third string G
• How to tune the fifth string B to the second string B
• Why he tunes from flat up to pitch

Step by step

1. Tune the middle G string, the third string, first.
2. Tune the first string, the D string, listening for dissonance. If it is flat, sharpen it into tune.
3. Tune the second string, the B. Either tune it to a straight B or temper it slightly flat for a more harmonious open tuning.
4. Tune the sixth string, the low G, to the third string G an octave apart.
5. Tune the fifth string B to the second string B.
6. On each string, go slightly flat and then bring it up to pitch.

In Mark's words

“I always start by tuning the G string, the middle G string, the third string.”

“The B note on the dobro is slightly tempered, which means it's just ever so slightly flat than an actual B note.”

“I always like to go flat and then bring it up because it keeps the tuning taut.”

Coming from lap steel or new to lap-style slide? See what carries over to the dobro.

Questions

What order do you tune a dobro in?

Mark starts with the middle G string, the third string. Then he tunes the first string (D) and the second string (B), and after that tunes the octaves: the sixth string G to the third string G, and the fifth string B to the second string B.

Which string do you tune first on a dobro?

Mark always starts with the G string, the middle G, which is the third string.

Should the B string on a dobro be tempered?

Mark explains that the B on the dobro is slightly tempered, meaning just ever so slightly flat of an actual B. You can tune it to a straight B or temper it slightly for a more harmonious open tuning.

How do you tune the low G string on a dobro?

Tune the sixth string G to the third string G. They are the same note an octave apart, so listen for the dissonance and bring the low G up until it matches.

Should you tune up or down to the note?

Mark goes slightly flat and then brings the string up to pitch, because it keeps the tuning taut.

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