Downtuning, Billy Joel, and only doing it for half the show

[Ehwmatt]

Last night, I watched my newly purchased Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium Blu Ray. All of a sudden, when We Didn't Start the Fire began, I heard something very interesting: it sounded like the tuning changed. I could tell the show up to that point had been played in Eb, down 1/2 step as Journey has been doing for most shows the last few years. I picked up my guitar and confirmed it. All of a sudden, they switched to standard tuning for at least that song.

Now, we all know a lot of these older bands are doing this these days (Foreigner, Def Leppard, etc.). But, I haven't encountered any band that switches between Eb and E tuning during a show for certain songs like Billy did here.

Just an interesting tidbit.

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

[Don]

Journey needs to do that with Faithfully or just give the song to Deen. It won't happen of course as we keep hearing that people at the shows don't care anyway.

Really though, that song went to pot on the last tour, it just seems now that everyone is finally noticing it.

[RumTumJM]

Being from Long Island, I know many people who practically worship the guy. With that said, I think I remember a friend in high school saying that the tuning does differ from song to song. Some songs are original key; some half step; a few full step.

Ultimately, I do believe that Billy treats every song separately in this regard.

[Eric]

Journey needs to do that with Faithfully or just give the song to Deen. It won't happen of course as we keep hearing that people at the shows don't care anyway.

Really though, that song went to pot on the last tour, it just seems now that everyone is finally noticing it.

I defend Journey like crazy...but Faithfully is fucking garbage right now and someone needs to tell the band that.

[Greg]

Last night, I watched my newly purchased Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium Blu Ray. All of a sudden, when We Didn't Start the Fire began, I heard something very interesting: it sounded like the tuning changed. I could tell the show up to that point had been played in Eb, down 1/2 step as Journey has been doing for most shows the last few years. I picked up my guitar and confirmed it. All of a sudden, they switched to standard tuning for at least that song.

Now, we all know a lot of these older bands are doing this these days (Foreigner, Def Leppard, etc.). But, I haven't encountered any band that switches between Eb and E tuning during a show for certain songs like Billy did here.

Just an interesting tidbit.

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

I have got to get that bluray!

[JohnH]

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

Yes. When you see guitarists and bassists have their roadies bring new guitars and basses, (at the same time) that's usually the clue that the next song is tuned down, (or back up).

[Ehwmatt]

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

Yes. When you see guitarists and bassists have their roadies bring new guitars and basses, (at the same time) that's usually the clue that the next song is tuned down, (or back up).

And how often do you see that? Most of the time, guitar players switch guitars for the tonal variety (e.g., Neal using a Strat on Lights). I have not noticed any other bands that alternate between Eb and E on the fly in a show. Sure, I've seen bands switch bass and guitar at the same time if a song is in drop D or whatever. But E to Eb and then back again? Billy Joel is the only person I've seen doing this so far.

[conversationpc]

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

Yes. When you see guitarists and bassists have their roadies bring new guitars and basses, (at the same time) that's usually the clue that the next song is tuned down, (or back up).

Not necessarily...As Matt noted above, guitarists often change guitars between songs because certain guitars have a sound that better fits the song they're playing.

[RumTumJM]

In addition to different guitar tones, don't they usually play different guitars, because they fall out of tune after a few songs. (A new guitar will then be fully tuned.)

[Ehwmatt]

In addition to different guitar tones, don't they usually play different guitars, because they fall out of tune after a few songs. (A new guitar will then be fully tuned.)

Sure, they might do that too. Other guys might like to switch just to show off different guitars to the audience. Whatever the case may be, a guitar switch does not always mean a changed tuning as John asserted.

[Memorex]

Last night, I watched my newly purchased Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium Blu Ray. All of a sudden, when We Didn't Start the Fire began, I heard something very interesting: it sounded like the tuning changed. I could tell the show up to that point had been played in Eb, down 1/2 step as Journey has been doing for most shows the last few years. I picked up my guitar and confirmed it. All of a sudden, they switched to standard tuning for at least that song.

Now, we all know a lot of these older bands are doing this these days (Foreigner, Def Leppard, etc.). But, I haven't encountered any band that switches between Eb and E tuning during a show for certain songs like Billy did here.

Just an interesting tidbit.

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

I have got to get that bluray!

My wife is picking up the Blu Ray as we speak. And I hate to say this, but it will be the first Blu Ray I have ever seen. Looking forward to it.

I sure wish Billy would put out another CD. I am a huge fan. Nearly 20 years without new stuff is a long time. Especially when he can clearly still sing.

[Ehwmatt]

Last night, I watched my newly purchased Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium Blu Ray. All of a sudden, when We Didn't Start the Fire began, I heard something very interesting: it sounded like the tuning changed. I could tell the show up to that point had been played in Eb, down 1/2 step as Journey has been doing for most shows the last few years. I picked up my guitar and confirmed it. All of a sudden, they switched to standard tuning for at least that song.

Now, we all know a lot of these older bands are doing this these days (Foreigner, Def Leppard, etc.). But, I haven't encountered any band that switches between Eb and E tuning during a show for certain songs like Billy did here.

Just an interesting tidbit.

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

I have got to get that bluray!

My wife is picking up the Blu Ray as we speak. And I hate to say this, but it will be the first Blu Ray I have ever seen. Looking forward to it.

I sure wish Billy would put out another CD. I am a huge fan. Nearly 20 years without new stuff is a long time. Especially when he can clearly still sing.

Too drunk to write good new stuff maybe? Who knows. I saw him and Elton a couple years ago, and they were incredible.

[AR]

Last night, I watched my newly purchased Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium Blu Ray. All of a sudden, when We Didn't Start the Fire began, I heard something very interesting: it sounded like the tuning changed. I could tell the show up to that point had been played in Eb, down 1/2 step as Journey has been doing for most shows the last few years. I picked up my guitar and confirmed it. All of a sudden, they switched to standard tuning for at least that song.

Now, we all know a lot of these older bands are doing this these days (Foreigner, Def Leppard, etc.). But, I haven't encountered any band that switches between Eb and E tuning during a show for certain songs like Billy did here.

Just an interesting tidbit.

Any other musical types on here notice other bands switching between E and Eb tuning on the fly during a show?

I have got to get that bluray!

My wife is picking up the Blu Ray as we speak. And I hate to say this, but it will be the first Blu Ray I have ever seen. Looking forward to it.

I sure wish Billy would put out another CD. I am a huge fan. Nearly 20 years without new stuff is a long time. Especially when he can clearly still sing.

Too drunk to write good new stuff maybe? Who knows. I saw him and Elton a couple years ago, and they were incredible.

Nah, hey Edgar Allen Poe wrote his best stuff drunk too.

Billy just is one who is disenchanted with the state of the music business, and the pop format in general.

I bet you he does make another album at some point. He has actually written 2 pop songs since his last cd that are out there and available.