Kite Guitar: Difference between revisions

Line 55:

Tom's method involves extrapolating from familiar string sets. Another method involves calculating a string's tension from its unit weight, length and pitch (frequency) by the formula T = (UW x (2 x L x F)<sup>2</sup>) / 386.4. For open strings, the length is the guitar's scale. The frequency in hertz of the Nth string of 8 strings is 440 * (2 ^ (-7/12 + (21 - 13*N) / 41)). For the Nth string of 6, it's 440 * (2 ^ (-7/12 + (8 - 13*N) / 41)). The unit weight is pounds per inch, and is a function of string gauge and string type (plain vs. wound, etc.). D'Addario has [https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/pdfs/accessories/tension_chart_13934.pdf published] their unit weights, thus the individual tensions can be calculated for a given set of strings. One can work backwards from this and select string gauges/types that give uniform tensions. The desired tension depends on the instrument, and of course personal taste. A steel-string acoustic guitar might have 25-30 lbs. tension for each string. A 12edo 25.5" electric guitar strung with a standard 10-46 set has 15-20 lbs. With a 9-42 set it has 13-16 lbs.

If the frequency doesn't change:

* A longer scale will require a higher tension and/or a smaller gauge

* A higher tension will require a longer scale and/or a bigger gauge

* A bigger gauge will require a higher tension and/or a shorter scale

== About 41-EDO ==

Line 162:

Line 167:

[[File:The Kite Tuning 2.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]

This chart extends even further, showing the "rainbow zones" and the "off zones". When two guitarists play together, it's very natural for one to play chords in the lower rainbow zone, and another to solo in the higher rainbow zone. The open strings tend to be in an off zone, unless the tonic is fairly close to the nut, or else up around the 14th fret. [[File:The Kite Tuning 3.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]

This chart shows the actual notes of an 8-string Kite guitar. The notes in red are the open strings of a 12-edo guitar. The ideal string gauges for this tuning are discussed in the "For Luthiers" section. Every 4th fret has a dot, and every 12th fret has a double dot. Three dots equals a 5th.

This chart shows the actual notes of an 8-string Kite guitar. The notes circled in red are the open strings of a 12-edo guitar. The ideal string gauges for this tuning are discussed in the "For Luthiers" section. Every 4th fret has a dot, and every 12th fret has a double dot. Three dots equals a 5th.

[[File:The Kite Tuning 4.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]

A 6-string guitar is usually tuned to the middle 6 strings of an 8-string:

Line 173:

Line 178:

=== Scale Shapes ===

~~Printer-friendly~~ charts, one of scale degrees, the other of the three main scales. In the latter, some scale degrees appear more than once. In general, use the one that agrees with the current chord.[[File:Scale chart.png|thumb|left]]

Printable charts, one of scale degrees, the other of the three main scales. In the latter, some scale degrees appear more than once. In general, use the one that agrees with the current chord.[[File:Scale chart.png|thumb|left]]

[[File:Scale chart 2.png|none|thumb]]

@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 Tom's method involves extrapolating from familiar string sets. Another method involves calculating a string's tension from its unit weight, length and pitch (frequency) by the formula T =  (UW  x (2 x L x F)<sup>2</sup>) / 386.4. For open strings, the length is the guitar's scale. The frequency in hertz of the Nth string of 8 strings is 440 * (2 ^ (-7/12 + (21 - 13*N) / 41)). For the Nth string of 6, it's 440 * (2 ^ (-7/12 + (8 - 13*N) / 41)). The unit weight is pounds per inch, and is a function of string gauge and string type (plain vs. wound, etc.). D'Addario has [https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/pdfs/accessories/tension_chart_13934.pdf published] their unit weights, thus the individual tensions can be calculated for a given set of strings. One can work backwards from this and select string gauges/types that give uniform tensions. The desired tension depends on the instrument, and of course personal taste. A steel-string acoustic guitar might have 25-30 lbs. tension for each string. A 12edo 25.5" electric guitar strung with a standard 10-46 set has 15-20 lbs. With a 9-42 set it has 13-16 lbs.
+If the frequency doesn't change:
+* A longer scale will require a higher tension and/or a smaller gauge
+* A higher tension will require a longer scale and/or a bigger gauge
+* A bigger gauge will require a higher tension and/or a shorter scale
 == About 41-EDO ==
@@ Line 162: / Line 167: @@
 [[File:The Kite Tuning 2.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]
 This chart extends even further, showing the "rainbow zones" and the "off zones". When two guitarists play together, it's very natural for one to play chords in the lower rainbow zone, and another to solo in the higher rainbow zone. The open strings tend to be in an off zone, unless the tonic is fairly close to the nut, or else up around the 14th fret. [[File:The Kite Tuning 3.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]
-This chart shows the actual notes of an 8-string Kite guitar. The notes in red are the open strings of a 12-edo guitar. The ideal string gauges for this tuning are discussed in the "For Luthiers" section. Every 4th fret has a dot, and every 12th fret has a double dot. Three dots equals a 5th.
+This chart shows the actual notes of an 8-string Kite guitar. The notes circled in red are the open strings of a 12-edo guitar. The ideal string gauges for this tuning are discussed in the "For Luthiers" section. Every 4th fret has a dot, and every 12th fret has a double dot. Three dots equals a 5th.
 [[File:The Kite Tuning 4.png|none|thumb|900x900px]]
 A 6-string guitar is usually tuned to the middle 6 strings of an 8-string:
@@ Line 173: / Line 178: @@
 === Scale Shapes ===
-Printer-friendly charts, one of scale degrees, the other of the three main scales. In the latter, some scale degrees appear more than once. In general, use the one that agrees with the current chord.[[File:Scale chart.png|thumb|left]]
+Printable charts, one of scale degrees, the other of the three main scales. In the latter, some scale degrees appear more than once. In general, use the one that agrees with the current chord.[[File:Scale chart.png|thumb|left]]
 [[File:Scale chart 2.png|none|thumb]]