Have you ever heard of a four string guitar? Most people are familiar with the six string electric and acoustic guitars, but four string guitars offer a unique sound and style of play.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at four string guitars and explore the benefits, types, tuning techniques, and accessories that can help a four string guitar player.
We’ll also look at some of the notable artists who have mastered the four string guitar and the popular genres that it features in.
So let’s dive in and find out if there is such a thing as a four string guitar and how it can surprise us.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Yes, there is a 4 string guitar.
It is sometimes referred to as a tenor guitar and is usually tuned in the same way as a standard guitar, but with a higher pitched sound.
It is usually used for jazz or folk music, and is often used for fingerstyle playing.
It can also be used for chordal accompaniment.
What is a Four String Guitar?
A four string guitar is a type of guitar that has four strings instead of the more common six string guitar.
These guitars are usually tuned one octave lower than a six string guitar, making them perfect for providing a strong, full low end to a band.
Four string guitars are popular among bassists for their ease of playability and ability to produce a wide range of tones.
Four string guitars come in a few different types.
The most common type is the bass guitar, which is typically tuned one octave lower than a six string guitar and is used as the foundation for most musical arrangements.
Lap steel guitars, which are typically used for slide guitar playing, are also available in four string models, although they are less common.
Four string guitars are generally easier to play than a six string guitar, as there are fewer strings to worry about and the strings are often tuned to lower notes.
This makes them ideal for beginners, as they are easier to learn the basics on and can still provide a great range of tones.
Advanced players may also find four string guitars to be useful, as they can be used to create unique and interesting sounds.
Benefits of Playing a Four String Guitar
Playing a four string guitar can be an incredibly rewarding experience for any musician.
Not only does it provide a strong low end for a band, the four string guitar is also a great instrument for developing fingerpicking and soloing techniques.
It is also an incredibly versatile instrument, allowing musicians to explore different tonal possibilities and create new sounds.
The four string guitar is also great for those wanting to get into playing the bass, as it is much easier to learn than a six string bass.
The tuning of the four string guitar is also one octave lower than a six string guitar, making it easier to play heavier styles of music.
Additionally, the four string guitar is smaller and more lightweight than a five or six string bass, making it more portable and easier to transport.
Finally, the four string guitar is a great choice for those wanting to experiment with different genres of music.
Its versatility makes it a great choice for jazz, funk, rock, pop, and country.
It can be used to provide a strong, driving bass line in any of these styles, as well as providing a unique and interesting texture to any mix.
With its four strings, the four string guitar is also capable of producing a wide range of tones, from mellow and warm to bright and punchy.
Types of Four String Guitars
When it comes to four string guitars, there are several different types available.
Bass guitars are the most common type of four string guitar, and they are generally tuned one octave lower than a six string guitar.
This makes them ideal for providing a strong low end for a band.
Bass guitars are popular with bassists because they are relatively easy to play and can provide a wide range of tones.
However, there are other types of four string guitars as well.
Lap steel guitars, for example, can also be found in four string models.
These guitars are not usually tuned one octave lower like bass guitars, but they can still provide a unique sound that is perfect for a variety of types of music.
Finally, there are baritone guitars, which are typically tuned one octave lower than a standard six string guitar.
While baritone guitars are usually considered to be six-string instruments, some models are available in four string configurations.
These guitars provide a unique sound that is often used in metal and other heavy music genres.
How to Tune a Four String Guitar
Tuning a four string guitar is not as complicated as it may seem.
The tuning of a four string guitar is typically the same as that of a six string guitar, but with two strings removed.
The four strings are tuned E-A-D-G, which is the same as the bottom four strings of a six string guitar.
This tuning is ideal for bass guitar playing as it allows for a full range of low-end tones.
The tuning of a four string guitar is typically done using a guitar tuner.
This is a device that helps you to accurately tune your guitar strings to the correct pitch.
There are many different types of guitar tuners on the market, from basic clip-on tuners to more intricate digital tuners.
Whichever type of tuner you choose, the process of tuning a four string guitar is relatively simple.
Firstly, you should make sure your strings are not too tight or too loose.
If they are too tight, they wont be able to produce a clear sound.
If they are too loose, they wont be able to produce a full range of tones.
Once the strings are at the right tension, you can begin tuning.
Using a guitar tuner, you can tune each string to the correct pitch.
Start by tuning the lowest string, which is usually an E.
Then, tune the string one octave higher, which is an A.
Next, tune the string one octave higher, which is a D.
Finally, tune the highest string, which is usually a G.
Once all the strings are in tune, youre ready to play!
The tuning of a four string guitar is relatively straightforward.
With the help of a guitar tuner and some patience, youll be able to achieve a perfect four string guitar tuning in no time.
Notable Artists Who Play Four String Guitars
From Paul McCartney to Flea, four string guitars have been a popular choice for some of the world’s most iconic musicians.
Paul McCartney is perhaps one of the most famous four string guitarists of all time, playing a left-handed Fender Jazz Bass for The Beatles and continuing to use it throughout his solo career.
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is another famous four string guitarist who is known for his aggressive playing style and use of slap bass.
Both of these musicians have used their four string guitars to create some of the most iconic and memorable music of the last few decades.
In addition to these two iconic musicians, many other well-known artists have embraced four string guitars.
Jaco Pastorius, the iconic jazz bassist, was renowned for his innovative playing style, and his use of a four string guitar.
Other well-known four string guitarists include Les Claypool of Primus, Mark King of Level 42, and Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic.
These musicians have all used the four string guitar to create some truly unique and innovative music, and have helped to further popularize the four string guitar.
Four string guitars have become increasingly popular in recent years, and many modern musicians have embraced their unique sound.
Jack White of the White Stripes uses a four string guitar to create his signature blues-infused sound.
Victor Wooten is another well-known four string guitarist who has been pushing the boundaries of the instrument for years.
In addition to these two, there are many more modern musicians who have taken up the four string guitar and used it to create their own unique sound.
All in all, it is clear that the four string guitar has been embraced by many of the world’s most notable musicians.
From the iconic rock sound of The Beatles to the funk-infused grooves of Parliament-Funkadelic, four string guitars have been used to create some of the most memorable music of the last few decades.
Whether you are a beginner looking for an easy-to-play instrument or a seasoned musician looking for a unique sound, a four string guitar may be the perfect choice for you.
Popular Genres for Four String Guitars
Four string guitars are incredibly versatile instruments, and they can be used to play a variety of genres.
They are commonly used by bassists in rock, jazz, funk, and metal bands.
These genres require a strong low end to keep the rhythm section tight and grooving.
Four string guitars are also popular in blues, country, folk, and bluegrass music.
Their strong low end and warm tones are perfect for providing a solid foundation for these styles of music.
Four string guitars are also an excellent choice for singer-songwriters, as they allow for a wide range of tones and can provide a strong low end to support the vocals.
They are even being used in some pop and EDM genres, as they can provide a unique sound that can add some flavor to the mix.
Overall, four string guitars are incredibly versatile instruments, and can be used to play a wide range of genres.
They are popular with bassists due to their strong low end and ease of play, and can be used to provide a solid foundation for any musical style.
Whether youre looking for a strong low end in a rock band, or a unique sound for a singer-songwriter, four string guitars are a great choice.
Accessories That Can Help a Four String Guitar Player
For those who are new to the four string guitar, there are some great accessories that can help you get the most out of your instrument.
One of the most important pieces of gear is a good set of strings.
Four string guitars are typically tuned one octave lower than a six string guitar, so youll need a heavier set of strings to get the right sound.
A good set of strings will also help you get a clearer tone and better intonation.
Its also a good idea to invest in an amplifier, as these will help make the sound of the four strings stand out in a live setting.
Other accessories that can help a four string guitar player include pick-ups, tuners, and a variety of effects pedals.
Pick-ups help to boost the signal of the guitar, while a tuner can help make sure the strings are properly tuned.
Effects pedals can be used to add a variety of tones to your sound, from a subtle chorus effect to a more dramatic distortion.
Finally, a strap is essential for keeping the guitar in place while playing.
Taking the time to find the right accessories can help you get the most out of your four string guitar.
In conclusion, four string guitars are a great choice for bassists who want to add some low-end punch to their sound.
With the right strings, pick-ups, amplifiers, and effects pedals, you can get a wide range of tones from the four strings.
So, if youre looking for a unique instrument to add to your collection, a four string guitar may be the perfect choice.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what a four string guitar is and why its such a popular instrument, why not try one out for yourself? With the wide range of tones and styles available, youre sure to find something that works for you.
Whether youre a blues rocker or a jazz enthusiast, a four string guitar can provide the low end that will take your music to the next level.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and find your perfect four string guitar today!