Queen · 1980 · Studio album
Flash Gordon tuning.
E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD. 6 of 18 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
E Standard
At concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD.
MeasuredWidely reported
Measured by TuneLit
At concert pitch
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, Parlophone CDPCSD 137 (1994 Digital Master Series) | −3.1 ¢ | A 439.2 | 18 | −5.4 to −1.2 ¢ | Medium |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (widely reported).
Soundtrack cues in E Standard at concert pitch (−3 ¢) on EMI's 1994 CD. Several cues have little guitar and weak readings; Battle Theme sits about 17 ¢ flat, The Hero about 8 ¢ sharp.
18 songs · 6 tuned differently
Every song, ready to tune
Tune opens the tuner in that song's tuning, pitch included. Play along opens the song player set to that tuning, so the track plays in yours. What the labels mean
-
1. Flash's Theme
E StandardMeasured
Notes
The theme's guitar riff is in E Standard; the cue reads about 9 ¢ flat, close to the album value.
On its own, this song measures flatter: CD −9.2 ¢. Tune uses the album's A 440.
-
2. In the Space Capsule (The Love Theme)
E StandardMeasured
-
3. Ming's Theme (In the Court of Ming the Merciless)
E StandardMeasured
Notes
Synthesiser and dialogue; too little steady pitch to measure.
-
4. The Ring (Hypnotic Seduction of Dale)
E StandardMeasured
Notes
A short cue with no steady pitch to measure.
-
5. Football Fight
E StandardMeasured
-
6. In the Death Cell (Love Theme Reprise)
E StandardMeasured
Notes
On its own, this song measures flatter: CD −12.2 ¢ (medium confidence). Tune uses the album's A 440.
-
7. Execution of Flash
E StandardMeasured
-
8. The Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)
E StandardMeasured
-
9. Arboria (Planet of the Tree Men)
E StandardMeasured
-
10. Escape from the Swamp
Different pitch
E Standard −22 ¢Measured
Notes
About 22 ¢ flat (A ≈ 434.5).
Tabbed in E Standard.
-
11. Flash to the Rescue
E StandardMeasured
-
12. Vultan's Theme (Attack of the Hawk Men)
E StandardMeasured
-
13. Battle Theme
Different pitch
E Standard −17 ¢Measured
Notes
Written by May: a guitar-led cue in E Standard. It sits about 17 ¢ flat (A ≈ 435.7).
Tabbed in E Standard.
-
14. The Wedding March
Different pitch
E Standard +6 ¢Measured
Notes
Wagner's Bridal Chorus, arranged by May for multi-tracked guitars and organ. About 6 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441.4).
Tabbed in E Standard.
-
15. Marriage of Dale and Ming (And Flash Approaching)
Different pitch
E Standard −15 ¢Measured
Notes
About 15 ¢ flat (A ≈ 436.3).
Tabbed in E Standard.
-
16. Crash Dive on Mingo City
E StandardMeasured
-
17. Flash's Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)
Different pitch
E Standard −14 ¢Measured
Notes
About 14 ¢ flat (A ≈ 436.4).
Tabbed in E Standard.
-
18. The Hero
Different pitch
E Standard +8 ¢Measured
Notes
The closing song, guitar-led and in E Standard. It sits about 8 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441.9).
Tabbed in E Standard.
What the labels mean
- Measured
- TuneLit measured the pitch on an original CD or LP. The tuning name still comes from the sources.
- Official
- The band, a member, their producer or their guitar tech said it.
- Widely reported
- Trusted outlets, guides and tabs agree, but the band did not say it directly.
- From tabs
- From community tabs, or from players who tune along with the record.
- Disputed
- Sources disagree. The likeliest setting is shown; the notes name the other one.
Each song shows one label, the strongest it has, in this order. How we measure recordings →
Questions
What tuning is Flash Gordon in?
Queen recorded Flash Gordon (1980) in E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured by TuneLit on the CD. 6 songs use other tunings or pitches, listed song by song on this page.
Why does Flash Gordon sound out of tune with my guitar?
Escape from the Swamp sits about 22 cents flat (A ≈ 434), so a guitar tuned to A 440 clashes with it. The Tune buttons on this page set the tuner's reference to match the record, song by song, so you only tune the strings.