How to play the guitar "Po Russkiy"
An addendum to the Russian Bards article by G. Selinsky

Introduction

Many Russian tunes are fairly easy to play, especially bard songs which were designed for simplicity. You'll find that many Russian bard songs are either in A, B, D, or E minor and have the following chord progression (for A minor): A min, D min, E maj (E 7), often featuring a G maj and C maj turnaround. There will be some variations thrown in for color, such as a seventh chord or a minor sixth which don't pose any particular challenges (often it is a simple addition or shifting of a finger).

Russian guitarists traditionally play without a pick, using their fingers. The rhythm of strumming is called "boi" in Russian (meaning "battle"). A frequent strumming technique is the muting of strings after each strum: the fingers strum down and then the extended fingers quickly mute the strings. Sometimes for a more accented rhythm (as bards played without an accompanying band) a guitarist would hit the top of the guitar with the palm during strumming. Those who strum heavily should be sure to check their tuning from time to time (it is interesting to hear how Vysotski's guitar is often slightly out of tune on many recordings for this same reason). Another common technique is picking the strings with the fingers, using the thumb for the three thickest strings, and the index, middle, and ring finger for the three thinner strings.

Another staple technique in Russian guitar playing is the alternating bass, where with each strum you alternately pluck the root bass note of the chord and then the minor/major third or fifth using your thumb (e.g. for A minor it would be A-strum, C-strum, A-strum, C-strum, etc.). See below for more details.

Russian vs. Spanish Tuning

Most Russian bards (including those described above) played a seven string Russian acoustic guitar, which differs in tuning from the more common classic six string Spanish guitar. It is perfectly possible to play Russian bard songs on a six string guitar with standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), but the chords will not sound with the same exact voicing, and certain trademark playing nuances are harder or impossible to reproduce. Some musicians have additionally argued that the closer spacing of the strings on a seven string guitar also gives a slightly different sound, but that's a fine point.

Six string players who wish to keep to the standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning will probably find it easier to transpose Russian songs written in B minor to A, and in D minor to E. This will allow you to use open string chords versus constantly relying on the barre. You might find that on many recordings, bards often tune down a half or whole step to accomodate singing, so the song you wish to play may already be in the key you want. You can also use a capo at the second fret if you don't want to transpose.

Players who wish to get the real Russian sound but are not about to search for a new instrument or modify an existing one can get by very well using the Russian tuning on their six string. Fortunately most bards - not being professional musicians - played their seven string guitars with only the thinner five strings using fairly simple, so called "blatniye" chords, in lieu of the more complicated shapes used for classical Russian romances.

Instead of taking a trip to Magadan to get the real seven string deal, simply re-tune a six string guitar to the Russian "open G" tuning of G-B-D-G-B-D, or D-B-D-G-B-D (my personal favorite, see below). These six string variations of the Russian tuning (D-G-B-D-G-B-D) will make your six stringer represent a seven string Russian guitar minus one of the lower strings which, strictly speaking, are dispensable for playing bard music. As a matter of fact, Okudzhava was known to perform with a six string using a Russian tuning.

Incidentally, open G tuning is not only used for Russian music, it is also found in rock and country. A well known example is British rocker Keith Richards, who used the open G on his electric for "Start Me Up", "Jumping Jack Flash", and numerous other Stones hits. It is also quite popular with slide guitarists playing the dobro, which is why it is sometimes called the "dobro open G".

Adopting a different tuning requires you to learn new chord shapes, but since most bard songs don't use more than three to five chords, this isn't very difficult save for beginners who may find it a bit intimidating to mess with their recently learned habits. Many intermediate and advanced guitarists find it not only enjoyable to experiment with different tunings but of benefit to their playing, feeling it keeps their technique fresh and void of cliches. Moreover, the Russian tuning - once learned - is considered overall easier to play when accompanying oneself singing than the six string tuning.

Russian Chord Shapes for Six String

The following is a list of chord shapes from a modified open G tuning, thickest to thinnest string: D-B-D-G-B-D. This tuning reproduces the deep sounding low D string of the Russian guitar (which is usually fretted with the thumb), at the cost of the low G which is hardly necessary for the simple 'blatniye' chords.

Retuning a standard tuned six string guitar to this tuning is very easy and quick, causing less string tension issues than the more common open G tuning of G-B-D-G-B-D (some guitars, especially nylon stringed or 'classical' guitars, may take poorly to a highly tensioned low G). See "Quickly tuning in and out of Open G" below...

The letter R denotes the root notes of the chord (i.e. the note E in the E minor chord). An X indicates a string that should not be played and preferrably muted. Parenthesis around a dot mean that this is an optional thumb position. If you choose not to use your thumb, you should not play the string.

A common practice with Russian guitar chords is to use one finger to fret two strings at once. The E minor is shown above, the middle and ring fingers are squeezing two strings. The left picture was taken on a six string guitar, the right picture on a seven string - the closer string spacing of the seven string makes taking two finger chords slightly easier (the string to string spacing of a Russian 7 string acoustic guitar is practically identical to that of most 6 string electric guitars). Two finger chords may initially be awkward for those unaccustomed to them (although they also exist in the six string repetoire), but with practice it is quickly assumed. For suggested finger placement, see the picture below each chord.

All of these chord shapes can be moved up and down the neck to create different chords, provided the open strings are muted/not played.

Some chord progressions you can try:

Classic Russian B minor progression (the most popular key): B minor, (B major), D minor, F# 7/F# major, then back to B minor.

Turnaround for B minor: D major, A major, F# 7, back to B minor. Sometimes, after a D major there will be a B diminished 7 and then an E minor.

Classic Russian D minor progression: D minor, G minor, A 7/A major, then back to D minor.

Classic Russian A minor progression: A minor, D minor, E 7/E major, then back to A minor.

It is important to note that most bards liked to tune down their guitars by a step in order to make it easier for their voices to sing. Sometimes you may find yourself having to retune your guitar if you want to figure out a song based on a recording. Many times Vysotski liked to tune down one whole step, which in this tuning would be C-A-C-F-A-C.

Quickly tuning in and out of Open G (D-B-D-G-B-D)

To retune to your guitar from standard Spanish tuning to the Open G, pluck the D string of a standardly tuned six string (third from left, two away from the low E) as a reference, while tuning both the low and high E's (thickest and thinnest strings) one whole step down to a D.

Make sure that all three strings are in relative tune with each other (each will be an octave apart from the other, of course). Then, tune the A (second from left, adjacent to the thickest string) up a whole step to a B (for a reference, pluck the high B string, the string to the immediate left of the thinnest string - they should sound one octave apart).

That's all it takes!

Listen to the MP-3 files below:

To switch back into the Spanish tuning, fret the thinnest string (the high D) at the second fret, then tune the thickest string (the low D) up a whole step to an E (they will sound 2 octaves apart). Then, tune the high D up to a high E by using the recently tuned up low E for a reference. Finally, fret the low E at the fifth fret as a reference to tune the lower B (second from left string) back down to an A. You are now back in the standard Spanish 6 string tuning of E-A-D-G-B-E.

After a few tries, tuning in and out of the D-B-D-G-B-D open G tuning can easily be accomplished in under one minute.

The Strum

A very popular Russian bard technique - as previously mentioned - is to introduce rhythm and bass by playing the 'alternating bass'. This is accomplished by plucking the two lower notes of the chord alternately in between strums, using your thumb (bards usually play with their hands).

For B minor you can pluck the open lower B string and the middle D string fretted at the fourth fret (F#, giving you a root note - 5th bass), an alternate idea is to pluck the open B and then fret it with the thumb at the third fret (D, giving you a root note - minor 3rd bass, illustrated below), plucking it again. Feel free to experiment with each chord to find an appealing alternating bass, depending on the finger layout there can be a number of possibilities.

Watch a video of the thumb work for the B minor 'root-minor third' alternating bass (Real Video or Windows Media Player) and the alternating bass 'boi' for an E minor chord (Real Video or Windows Media Player). An electric guitar was used for a clearer image of the strings.

Examples

Here is the first verse from a simple Vysotski song called "Dela" (click on Аудио in the upper left corner of the lyric page to hear the sound file). You can also watch a clip from a film where Vysotski sings the song (Real Video for modems, for broadband)

The chord pattern repeats in the same manner for the rest of the song. Bard songs, as a general rule, do not have middle breaks, nor do they modulate keys or alter chord progressions from verse to verse, making them fairly easy to learn and play.

Here is the first verse from a very well known Okudzhava song, "Opustite Pozhalusta Siniye Shtori" (lyrics):

More Russian chords, including finger placements

A guitar chord generator for seven string guitars (in English) http://www.gootar.com/folder/guitar7.html

Also, see more chord diagrams for open G on a six string from bard Alexander Rozenbaum's site, who has his own special modified open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D):

http://www.rozenbaum.ru/school/chords.php?prn=1 or http://www.rozenbaum.ru/school/chords.php

IMPORTANT! When reading Russian articles on guitar playing, keep in mind some important differences between American and Russian conventions, see below:

• Remember your do-re-mi's: Russians often use the do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-si(ti)-do notation, which translates into C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C in letter notation.
• B versus H: When using letters, the Russians call an American "B" an "H", while an American "#A" is a Russian "B". Consequently, the American A-#A-B-C-#C-D-#D-E-F-#F-G-#G 12 tone scale in Russian would be written as A-B-H-C-#C-D-#D-E-F-#F-G-#G. Thus, a Russian H major chord would be an American B major (X24442, standard six string tuning), a Russian B chord would be an American B flat/A sharp.
• Left to right, top to bottom: Americans describe a guitar tuning from the bass string up to the tenor string, Russians describe the tenor string first and go to the bass. As an example, standard Spanish guitar tuning using American convention is written as E-A-D-G-B-E, in Russian the same exact tuning would be written as E-B-G-D-A-E. When Russians refer to the "nizhnaya struna" ("lower string") they mean the thinnest, highest pitch string on the guitar - the logic being that when you are playing the guitar the thinnest string is the one closest to the ground, thus it is "lower" in placement (but not, of course, in pitch) when the guitar is held in its playing position.
• Fingers: The Russian names for fingers are: Bol'shoi Palets = Thumb (referred to as 5 in American picture chord diagrams), Ukazatel'niy = Index (1), Sredniy = Middle (2), Bezimanniy = Ring (3), Mezinets = Pinkie (4).

Getting and Playing a Real "semistrunnaya"

"Словно семь заветных струнн зазвенели в свой черёд" В. Высоцкий
"Just like seven promised strings ringing without stop" V. Vysotski

What if you are so aesthetically or patriotically motivated that you want to get a real seven string guitar? There are more possible chord shapes in the lower registers which are impossible without having a 7th string regardless of any retuning. Also, there is the advantage of closer string spacing, enabling one to more easily play two finger chords than on a retuned six string (a consideration for players with small hands). Finally, according to some musicians, closer string spacing is also what gives the Russian seven string guitar a different acoustic property from a six string. All in all, it is nice to own and play the real thing!

The seven string guitar made itself known in Russia in the 19th century thanks to Andrei Sychra, of Czech ancestry, who had written over a thousand pieces of music for the instrument (he is also considered by some to be the inventor of the seven string). It became immensely popular with professional classical musicians as well as common folk players, nearly eclipsing the Spanish six string all the way into the mid 20th century.

After a several decade long clash of seven and six string schools of guitar playing, six string guitars gained the upper hand in the USSR during the 1970's. As a result, seven string guitars became less in demand and today it is no longer as easy to get a quality seven string guitar in Russia as it was before. Nonetheless, there are Russian companies that still manufacture seven string guitars, and there is a considerable supply of used instruments at a wide price and quality range in Russia if one wishes to search there.

In America, there has been an increasing interest in the seven string guitar, which became favored by some jazz and classical players (as a general rule, played with the standard Spanish tuning). Consequently, Ibanez has released a few seven string acoustics such as the AJ307CE (around $800 new). Custom guitar makers also offer seven string guitars, for a price. Some manufacturers allow you to order a guitar with a custom seven string neck, also an expensive option.

Modification of an existing guitar to seven string

Some Russians have ventured to modify guitars into seven stringers, this is often the best option for those who want a quality instrument but can't find one easily.

A popular and relatively easy technique is to acquire a twelve string guitar, have a guitar technician cut the nut and bridge for seven string placement, then tweak the truss rod. This method requires the least work as the guitar has a wider, stronger neck and all the necessary tuners and pegs. Such a modification can be done by a guitar technician for $100 or less.

The author of this article got a Yamaha 12 string guitar (model FG720S-12 at $330, a fair price for a solid top acoustic) adopted to seven string by guitar luthier Chris Ambadjes of the American Guitar Museum (see his picture below, holding the guitar).

See below...

1. Adopting the nut. Only the lower 7 tuners are used out of the 12 available. Chris filled in the 12 string cuts in the nut (this can be done using glue and bone dust or baking soda) and made new cuts for seven strings.

2. Adopting the bridge. Chris cut into the bridge to make sure the strings stay in their new slightly bent position (esp. important with the middle 3 strings). The cuts have to be just deep enough to keep the strings in place. If they are made too deep, the action may be lowered significantly. Since this is a 12 string guitar, no additional string pegs are needed. Here, Chris removed the unnecessary pegs.

3. The neck's truss rod is tightened for the new string tension, which is lesser than with a 12 string.

People who wish to attempt their own modification should search the internet for information on how to do guitar mods (including safety tips) before trying anything on an instrument. For example, it is important not to overtighten a truss rod, otherwise the instrument can be damaged.

You may find the unused loose tuners make some noise when you play open strings. In that case, you may consider using tape to neutralize their buzz or removing them altogether and filling the holes with wood putty.

Some have modified six string acoustics to seven, modifying the nut and bridge as shown above, adding a new string peg to the bridge, and adding a new tuning machine to the neck. This method requires more work (and would be more expensive if done by a technician), but with the added advantage of having a greater amount of guitars at your disposal to modify.

It is important to understand when doing this that some guitar necks may be too narrow for a comfortable seven string spacing. Also, some necks and bridges will not be able to properly resist the added tension of a seventh string, i.e. nylon string guitars as a general rule are not modifyable in this way. It is best to speak to an experienced guitar luthier, preferably before buying the guitar.

For even, medium string tension in open G tuning, the author recommends the following gauges from thinnest to thickest string: 0.013, 0.016, 0.025, 0.032, 0.040, 0.050, 0.056. This would be the equivalent of a set of 0.012 strings on a six string acoustic guitar: the middle D, G, and B are of the 0.012 set thickness, the highest and lowest D are one gauge thicker, and the low G and low B is one gauge thinner. There is also a company called La Bella which makes a custom set of medium tension Russian strings.

Playing a Russian Seven String

Aside from the different chord shapes, there are four things that a six string standard tuning guitarist must become accustomed to when learning to play a seven string guitar.

Tuning to D-G-B-D-G-B-D

To tune a seven string without an electronic tuner, start by tuning the middle D string (fourth from the right) to D using a pitchfork or piano. Then, tune the highest and lowest strings to D. Now you have three D's each one octave apart. Next, fret the low D at the fifth fret, which will give you a G, and tune the second from right string to G. Next, pluck the newly tuned G string and tune the fifth from left string to a G (one octave apart). Next, fret the low G at the fourth fret, and tune the third string from the left to a B (one octave apart). The guitar should now be in tune.

One good way of verifying tuning from octave to octave is by playing a harmonic of the low string at the 12th fret, while gently plucking the high string. If you listen carefully and hear a dissonant vibrato, the strings are slightly out of tune with each other. Tune the out of tune string until you hear the vibrato slowing down to the point where it disappears.

You can also verify the relative tune of the strings using harmonics. To verify the D to G, play a harmonic of the D at the fifth fret while playing the G. To verify the D to B, play a harmonic of the D at the eighth fret and a harmonic of the B string at the fifth fret. If you cannot successfully get the tuning correct from string to string with harmonics, that means your guitar's intonation is incorrect. With acoustic guitars this is nearly impossible to remedy, save for changing to a different string gauge. Usually, inexpensive acoustic guitars are prone to intonation problems.

Tighter string spacing

Since Russian guitars have seven strings versus six, the strings are closer to each other. Chords played in the Russian Open G tuning often require the use of one finger to fret two strings, which is easy with this closer string spacing. Guitarists who fingerpick (common in Russian music) will have to readjust their fingerpicking to the shorter string spacing. Players with large hands may want to get a guitar with a wider neck, i.e. a twelve string conversion, to allow for some more space.

String muting

A few Russian chord shapes require the player to mute one of the strings, something beginner six string players may not be familiar with. This is often done with an adjacent finger that is fretting a string (usually the thumb or middle finger), simply shifting it to touch but not fret the muted string so it does not sound when strummed. This may require some practice, but it is easier because of the tighter string spacing.

Thumb work

Russian chord shapes often call for the use of the thumb, which is sometimes shifted from string to string and fret to fret when doing an 'alternating bass'. Beginner six string guitarists often do not use their thumbs, so it will require some getting used to. Your thumb may be sore at first, but it will quickly gain strength the more you practice.

Below is the F# major with the thumb fretting the low D at the 4th fret (left) and then the low G at the 3rd fret (right). This quick shift is easy to acquire with some practice, it is important to keep the thumb close to the fretline.

Russian Open G Chords

This selection will be added to as time permits. Note that not all chords need to be played in their full string span. It is common, for instance, to play only the thinner five strings for the E and B minor shapes. Beginning players will find this easier than having to use the thumb right away.

Minor

The lower B string is muted with the thumb or middle finger.	The lower G string is muted with the thumb, which is also fretting the D	The lower G string is muted with the middle finger (while also at the same time fretting the adjacent B string), which is adding slight pressure to prevent the G string from vibrating when strummed.	or The upper may be easier for those with smaller hands who want to use the thumb. If you omit the thumb, do not play the lower D string.	An alternate variation for E minor.

Major

Pictures will be added as time permits, you may wish to see the six string open G chord diagrams for finger ideas (the chords are the same, minus the low G string).

Just a straight barre across the neck. To get a root sounding A, don't play the lowest string.

Here the middle finger is choking the low B string while fretting the low G.	Here the thumb is choking the low G while fretting the low D.	It may be difficult to strum this chord with two muted strings, but the thumb position can be picked separately.	Real simple, the guitar is in open G major tuning, so a straight strum across the neck is all you need. To produce a root chord, don't play the lowest string.

Seventh chords

Numbers indicate fret to be fretted with the fingers. The order of the numbers is from the thinnest (highest sounding) string to the thickest (lowest sounding). Diagrams and pictures will be added as time permits, you may wish to see the six string open G chord diagrams for the time being (the chords are the same, minus the low G string).

A7: 5222222

B7 (called H7 in Russian notation): 74440XX, 44240XX, 7444444, 44244XX (minus root, second picture)

D7: XX54320

E7: 00120X2 (same as the second E major, minus the pinky)

F#7: 2234XXX, 2232234

G7: 3345000, 3000000

Be sure to read the article on the Russian guitar in the Russian Wikipedia.

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