Tuning Down {its about time}

[stevew2]

Only The Young was tuned down 1/2 step,nothin wrong with it,they should have down it years ago,Journey is finally getting real http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iQ5n8cI904

[stevew2]

The whole concert is played a half step lower ,every song,that way, the piano and guitars dont have to be retuned,lord knows Friga couldnt play everything in sharps and flats,Even his intros he played the regular keys,but his piano was tuned down a half step,I know, I played along with it. Bands do it all the time,of course Journey wont admit it.Again every song{not just a few} is a half a step flat.

[Don]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

[stevew2]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It might have if they did it,maybe they learned something,I swear GB I played along with every song from that show,and every song is a half step lower,it would make sense,Friga aint that good to play every solo a half step lower,Every fuckin instrument was detuned,id like to see someone prove me wrong.It is alot easier to detune everything for the whole night the to detune 4 or more songs especially when it come to Frigas piano{if it is a real piano} They fuckin tuned down,no doubt in me mind,Why they just decided to do it is beside me,of course they would never admit it

[KDOUBLEU]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It might have if they did it,maybe they learned something,I swear GB I played along with every song from that show,and every song is a half step lower,it would make sense,Friga aint that good to play every solo a half step lower,Every fuckin instrument was detuned,id like to see someone prove me wrong.It is alot easier to detune everything for the whole night the to detune 4 or more songs especially when it come to Frigas piano{if it is a real piano} They fuckin tuned down,no doubt in me mind,Why they just decided to do it is beside me,of course they would never admit it

It all sounds like Perrys FTLOSM tour now (Minus the Master).

[madsplash]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It might have if they did it,maybe they learned something,I swear GB I played along with every song from that show,and every song is a half step lower,it would make sense,Friga aint that good to play every solo a half step lower,Every fuckin instrument was detuned,id like to see someone prove me wrong.It is alot easier to detune everything for the whole night the to detune 4 or more songs especially when it come to Frigas piano{if it is a real piano} They fuckin tuned down,no doubt in me mind,Why they just decided to do it is beside me,of course they would never admit it

It all sounds like Perrys FTLOSM tour now (Minus the Master).

Exactly. And that's cool. Those songs are still great a little lower. True on "The Master". It's ok, just hold on, he'll be back.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Revelation tunes DO NOT sound good tuned down IMO. They sound like they are dragging. Change for the better suffers the most I think.

[stevew2]

Its sounds dull, not as bright

[perryswoman]

Its sounds dull, not as bright

Definitely sounds more dull but if it will save arnel I can live with it. Hope than when and if Perry ever does return it will be in the original key and I realize that is alot to ask but I will take him how ever I can get him!!

[WalrusOct9]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

He did, when I brought this up a couple years ago. But all singers are different. I'm more of a guitarist than a singer but I've always found it easier to sing anything tuned down 1/2 step...hopefully Arnel's voice will hold up a little better this way.

[strangegrey]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It depends on the singer. Given Jeff's timbre, I find it hard to believe that....but I do remember him actually saying it here, so I'm not arguing the fact that he said it...I just find it odd that given he's not a high tenor but a tenor, its odd that Jeff would say that. But alas, I'm not a professional singer...he is!



I'd be curious to know whether Cain's new Whale...the black one, is actually tuned down, or he playing tuned down on his electronics....

It's BEYOND easy to tune down a keyboard. 2-3 keystrokes, boom...you're down half a step. Then you retune guitars and bass, and you're exactly 1/2 step under A440.

But I suspect, what's happened, is that they retuned that new black whale they have down 1/2 step....at the start of the tour...and just kept it in tune for the rest of the tour. Back in 2001, I got to talk to Cain's tech...and he said he would retune the whale once a day. That's amazing, since I have a similar model Yamaha baby grand here....and I tune that sucker once a year...

[strangegrey]

Its sounds dull, not as bright

Definitely sounds more dull but if it will save arnel I can live with it. Hope than when and if Perry ever does return it will be in the original key and I realize that is alot to ask but I will take him how ever I can get him!!

I doubt that....first, dont expect perry to return....but even if gravity stops working, pigs start flying, clint eastwood starts doing ballet and Perry rejoins Journey....you can bet your anus that it will be done 1/2 step down.

Just an FYI...on the FTLOSM tour, Perry did things 1/2 step down....

[Rick]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It depends on the singer. Given Jeff's timbre, I find it hard to believe that....but I do remember him actually saying it here, so I'm not arguing the fact that he said it...I just find it odd that given he's not a high tenor but a tenor, its odd that Jeff would say that. But alas, I'm not a professional singer...he is!

I remember him saying it too. He was able to use his head voice with the normal tuning, which was easier on a lot of stuff, but tuned down that wasn't the case. Was tougher on his voice. If I remember his post correctly.

[stevew2]

Not doing Steve Augeri much good, is it?

I though Jeff said that it's harder to sing stepped down.

It depends on the singer. Given Jeff's timbre, I find it hard to believe that....but I do remember him actually saying it here, so I'm not arguing the fact that he said it...I just find it odd that given he's not a high tenor but a tenor, its odd that Jeff would say that. But alas, I'm not a professional singer...he is!



I'd be curious to know whether Cain's new Whale...the black one, is actually tuned down, or he playing tuned down on his electronics....

It's BEYOND easy to tune down a keyboard. 2-3 keystrokes, boom...you're down half a step. Then you retune guitars and bass, and you're exactly 1/2 step under A440.

But I suspect, what's happened, is that they retuned that new black whale they have down 1/2 step....at the start of the tour...and just kept it in tune for the rest of the tour. Back in 2001, I got to talk to Cain's tech...and he said he would retune the whale once a day. That's amazing, since I have a similar model Yamaha baby grand here....and I tune that sucker once a year...

Frigas tech would tune the piano at every gig, everytime you move a piano it must be tuned. i tune mine 3 times a year, i play that fucker everyday. They played every song at the last show a 1/2 step down,before that it was tuned at A/440, concert pitch,they must felt it was takin a tole on Arnels voice, something they never cared about before.I dont have a problem with it,although it does sound a bit different.I guess they plan on keepin this singer around for awhile.That is a first for this band.Better late than never. Friga you little dickhead

[BobbyinTN]

Only The Young was tuned down 1/2 step,nothin wrong with it,they should have down it years ago,Journey is finally getting real http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iQ5n8cI904

I agree. The studio is the time to play and hit the highest notes possible, live is the time to give energy, excitment and to take care you don't damage something while doing it.

If you bring the energy, the average Joe ain't gonna notice the key change.

AND, if you're a good musician, the key change ain't gonna make any difference to the players either.

[Ehwmatt]

Revelation tunes DO NOT sound good tuned down IMO. They sound like they are dragging. Change for the better suffers the most I think.

I agree - at least from what I've heard. The Rev rockers have "soaring" verse melodies and the 1/2 step down really takes away from the catchiness. It's noticeable even to non-musicians on some of them.

It's funny, cuz Leppard tunes 1/2 down on every song for years and it's never bothered me, but for some reason, the Journey stuff is hit-or-miss tuned down. But if it keeps Arnel in good shape, good for them.

[EightyRock]

Its sounds dull, not as bright

Definitely sounds more dull but if it will save arnel I can live with it. Hope than when and if Perry ever does return it will be in the original key and I realize that is alot to ask but I will take him how ever I can get him!!

You hope it is in the original key??? Journey can't even find a replacement to last more than a couple tours with them and sing those songs in ANY key, so why would you think Perry should, could or even want to do that now? Holy shit, that was a crazy wish. That's probably why he stays retired, due to the crazy people who want him to sound like he 30 years ago. Do you look and sound the same as you did 30 years ago?????

I think Arnel, or whatever singer they have at any given time, should sing in the key that is comfortable for them. If it compromises the integrity of the song too much, then they can choose other songs from their catalog that don't sound so odd tuned down. OR.....they could write some new stuff in Arnel's comfortable range and promote that. Oh wait, I forgot, no classics, no Walmart deals.

[Liquid_Drummer]

IMO the vocals on Revelation are no where near as hard as the earlier material and Arnel is also singing himself and not trying to channel Perry as much which makes singing easier. One thing I have heard over and over is that trying to sing like someone else is bad for your voice and it makes it a little harder to sing as well. It forces you to do things that may not be natural muscle movements because of our slight differences in anatomy in that area.....

Long story short is that he should have no problem singing the REV tunes in standard concert E. Cain would have to sacrifice the half step down Whale (unless it has a midi interface which is likely). For the other guys it would be a simple instrument switch. Do a select set of the Rev tunes together as a show case and use snippets of other tunes off the album as medley pieces to tie it all together in to one 25-30 minute long set piece.

You hear me Schon ? You guys are not doing enough to push Rev live and this would be a good way to do it.

[stevew2]

Its sounds dull, not as bright

Definitely sounds more dull but if it will save arnel I can live with it. Hope than when and if Perry ever does return it will be in the original key and I realize that is alot to ask but I will take him how ever I can get him!!

You hope it is in the original key??? Journey can't even find a replacement to last more than a couple tours with them and sing those songs in ANY key, so why would you think Perry should, could or even want to do that now? Holy shit, that was a crazy wish. That's probably why he stays retired, due to the crazy people who want him to sound like he 30 years ago. Do you look and sound the same as you did 30 years ago?????

I think Arnel, or whatever singer they have at any given time, should sing in the key that is comfortable for them. If it compromises the integrity of the song too much, then they can choose other songs from their catalog that don't sound so odd tuned down. OR.....they could write some new stuff in Arnel's comfortable range and promote that. Oh wait, I forgot, no classics, no Walmart deals.

I think the latter would be best. Of course there is no way around the dozen, no fucking way.i can live with the tuning down, although i think it is retarded. or lazy to have the whole show tuned down,just tune down the difficult ones and leave the rest alone,lord forbid Friga might have to play open arms in C # instead of D,if he cant do that he really is a puss

[Don]

I was wondering why you would detune Revelation songs. Aren't they sang in Arnel's natural range?

[KDOUBLEU]

I was wondering why you would detune Revelation songs. Aren't they sang in Arnel's natural range?

I would say because they tuned down for the older songs they probably had to do the whole concert that way.

[Don]

Revelation is not even a year old. I don't think that is right to alter those tunes. Dump the older songs and add more ROR and TBF if you have to but don't fuck up the new songs already.

[Ehwmatt]

Revelation is not even a year old. I don't think that is right to alter those tunes. Dump the older songs and add more ROR and TBF if you have to but don't fuck up the new songs already.

I think it's a precautionary measure across the board - yes, the songs are in Arnel's natural range, as they were in Perry's, but if your singing at the top end of your range and really pushing yourself night after night, you're bound to get fucked up.

[Since 78]

The whole concert is played a half step lower ,every song,that way, the piano and guitars dont have to be retuned,lord knows Friga couldnt play everything in sharps and flats,Even his intros he played the regular keys,but his piano was tuned down a half step,I know, I played along with it. Bands do it all the time,of course Journey wont admit it.Again every song{not just a few} is a half a step flat.

I Knew New It!!!

[Don]

The whole concert is played a half step lower ,every song,that way, the piano and guitars dont have to be retuned,lord knows Friga couldnt play everything in sharps and flats,Even his intros he played the regular keys,but his piano was tuned down a half step,I know, I played along with it. Bands do it all the time,of course Journey wont admit it.Again every song{not just a few} is a half a step flat.

I Knew New It!!!

They should lower their ticket prices on the tuned down shows. If they had done this with Augeri, people would have been saying to get rid of the guy, that he was washed up. Doing it for Arnel, now their saints of course.

Pigfuckers.

[Since 78]

The whole concert is played a half step lower ,every song,that way, the piano and guitars dont have to be retuned,lord knows Friga couldnt play everything in sharps and flats,Even his intros he played the regular keys,but his piano was tuned down a half step,I know, I played along with it. Bands do it all the time,of course Journey wont admit it.Again every song{not just a few} is a half a step flat.

I Knew New It!!!

They should lower their ticket prices on the tuned down shows. If they had done this with Augeri, people would have been saying to get rid of the guy, that he was washed up. Doing it for Arnel, now their saints of course.

Pigfuckers.

I totally agree! I love Arnel, but why do this now? The songs just don't sound right. Go with the ROR, TBF stuff. But tuning down sucks! Id rather they just quit singing the old catalog and do new material.

[StyxCollector]

It's a bit of hypocricy, but after losing three singers (Perry, Augeri, and Soto), maybe they finally realize they have no choice. I really don't think they can survive another lead singer change. But it's ironic Arnel's been in the band only a year and they are doing this.

Most won't care/hear the difference, others will.

[Rick]

It's a bit of hypocricy, but after losing three singers (Perry, Augeri, and Soto), maybe they finally realize they have no choice. I really don't think they can survive another lead singer change. But it's ironic Arnel's been in the band only a year and they are doing this.

Most won't care/hear the difference, others will.

It doesn't bother me as much as it does others. I hope they're doing it for longevity sake.

[texafana]

I seriously doubt any non musician fan would notice a song being tuned down a half step, jeesh. I'm glad they did it. Guitars sound better tuned down a bit. Vocal will last longer, etc. About frickin time.

[Don]

A poster on AP''s website site said he spoke to Arnel earlier and he confirmed they are stepped down or whatever. So it looks like our musicians know what they are talking about.

Too bad they can't split the concerts in half, Old stuff detuned and new stuff in original key. The new ballads just drag with the new arrangement, not digging it at all, No wonder they dropped TDTWT, it probably can't be done justice this way.

Of course, playing Festivals and State fairs this year, the sound isn't going to be stellar anyway so no big deal I guess.

The question is, if they are doing this for a short tour like the one this year, what's going to happen to new songs when they release a new album and go on one of those 70 show tours to support it, are they going to play the new songs stepped down right off the bat?