"Good improvisation communicates harmonic progression melodically. Effective melodies manipulate harmonic content through the use of guide tones and preparatory gravity notes, masterfully woven in systematic tension, release, and transparent harmonic definition."
We've often thought missing from the market is a short-scaled tenor guitar. The accompaniment prowess of the register of the mandola, along with it's rich solo register would lend itself well to chord melody, and the shorter scale makes it much easier for the mandolinist to adapt and conquer the fret spacing. We even commissioned popular Old Wave Mandolins builder Bill Bussmann craft one several years ago in the SoloComp JM.
Back up, though. You may not have thought of the tenor guitar as part of the mandolin family, but as string specialist Jamie Boss explains in the following video, the 5ths tuning allows easy adaptation, especially if you're already familiar with mandola tuning (CGDA). Some tune the tenor to octave mandolin tuning, too (GDAE). Either way, if you have ever wondered about the similarities, Boss does a terrific job of demonstrating the instruments and touring your through a little history.
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become a self-professed 'expert." This site does not
come equipped with 'discernment.'
November 25, 2012 | Tenor Guitar History
