The Velvet Forum

I'm wondering if the Velvets played in standard tuning. They've got a lot of killer numbers in D that sound great when one tunes down a full-step- those big open chords with the D root seem perfect. Anybody got any info?

Non-standard tuning was the whole reason John was interested in playing with Lou.

AFAIK, the whole first album is tuned in DGCFAD, except for one, which is (I think) EEEEEE.....

bananaboy wrote:I'm wondering if the Velvets played in standard tuning. They've got a lot of killer numbers in D that sound great when one tunes down a full-step- those big open chords with the D root seem perfect. Anybody got any info?

Yeah you're right, just downtune a whole step so that you can use an open "E" shape to effectively voice a "D" chord.

That is how to get the right feel for Waiting for the Man, Run Run Run etc.
Most of the Velvets' songs are played downtuned, although several ones off loaded like Sweet Jane are in standard tuning

LCB wrote:AFAIK, the whole first album is tuned in DGCFAD, except for one, which is (I think) EEEEEE.....

I'm guessing VIF is the one tuned "ostrich." I've still never been able to make that one sound even CLOSE to how it should.

I've tried playing along to Sunday Morning, but it seems to be about a 1/4 tone off. Is the tape funny on that one or is their tuning funky?

I've seen something about tape speed being off on "Sunday Morning" but that could have been somebody talking through the side of their necks...if I play it, I play the verses F/B flat, instead of G/C...but I don't play it very often so *I* may very well be talking through the side of my neck.

Check this site: http://ww21.tiki.ne.jp/~wildside/....it's dang handy...

bananaboy wrote:

LCB wrote:AFAIK, the whole first album is tuned in DGCFAD, except for one, which is (I think) EEEEEE.....

I'm guessing VIF is the one tuned "ostrich." I've still never been able to make that one sound even CLOSE to how it should.

I've tried playing along to Sunday Morning, but it seems to be about a 1/4 tone off. Is the tape funny on that one or is their tuning funky?

Nah, the Ostrich tuning (DDDDDD) is used on All Tomorrow's Parties. One of my guitars is permanently "ostriched" now, pretty fun to play

Venus In Furs you might be finding difficult because it's downtuned a HALF step, not a whole step. If you don't want to do that, just take the guitar that you've downtuned a whole step for Waiting for the Man etc, and put a capo on the first fret. Either way. Anyway, regardless of which of those you do, you should be able to play Venus using an open D-Minor shape and changing the bass notes on your 4th string

Sunday Morning, you're right, it's to do with the tape speed having been fucked around with, although the actual guitar being played is slightly out of tune as well! Anyway just play it in the key of F, but played on the downtuned guitar from an open G-chord which is what I assume you're doing if you're finding yourself a quarter tone off. True, it won't sound right to play along with the record, but it's the right idea

Thanks guys! Your wisdom is invaluable. Now if only someone could post the tab to the solo from I Heard Her Call My Name...


"That's a joke, son"
-- Foghorn Leghorn

When I first found out about Reed using the "ostrich" tuning, I thought VIF used it too. Then I found out that it was Cale's viola that made that made it seem droning.