The Rolling Stones · 1966 · Studio album
Aftermath tuning.
E Standard, about 20 cents flat (A ≈ 435), measured on the CD. 11 of 14 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
E Standard −20 ¢
About 20 cents flat (A ≈ 435), measured on the CD.
MeasuredFrom tabs
Measured by TuneLit
20 ¢ flat
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, UK edition (ALAC rip; pressing not identified) | −19.8 ¢ | A 435 | 14 | Too few songs | High |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (community).
The British edition, all Jagger and Richards songs, with Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba and 12-string. Standard tuning, except High and Dry and What to Do a whole step down. TuneLit measured an album value about 20 ¢ flat (A ≈ 435), but the songs spread from concert pitch to about 60 ¢ flat: use each song's own button.
14 songs · 11 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
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1. Mother's Little Helper
Different tuning
E StandardMeasured
Notes
TuneLit measured it at concert pitch, about 20 ¢ above the album value.
Keith Richards said the main riff is an electric 12-string played with a slide; Brian Jones doubles it on a second 12-string. The tab is in standard tuning.
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2. Stupid Girl
Different pitch
E Standard A 425Measured
Notes
TuneLit measured it about 60 ¢ flat (A ≈ 425), the lowest song on the album.
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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3. Lady Jane
E Standard −20 ¢Measured
Notes
Brian Jones plays the dulcimer melody; the acoustic guitar is in standard tuning.
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Notes
Brian Jones plays the marimba riff. TuneLit measured it about 56 ¢ flat (A ≈ 426).
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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5. Doncha Bother Me
Different pitch
E Standard −36 ¢Measured
Notes
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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6. Goin' Home
Different pitch
E Standard −10 ¢Measured
Notes
An eleven-minute jam, about 10 ¢ flat.
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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7. Flight 505
Different pitch
E Standard −44 ¢Measured
Notes
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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8. High and Dry
Different tuning
D Standard −9 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down a whole step.
The tab tunes the guitar a whole step down (D Standard: D G C F A D), and TuneLit's low-note check of the record agrees with a low D.
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9. Out of Time
Different pitch
E Standard −40 ¢Measured
Notes
Brian Jones plays marimba. About 40 ¢ flat (A ≈ 429.9).
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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10. It's Not Easy
E Standard −20 ¢Measured
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11. I Am Waiting
Different pitch
E Standard −44 ¢Measured
Notes
Brian Jones plays dulcimer. About 44 ¢ flat (A ≈ 429).
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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12. Take It or Leave It
E Standard −20 ¢Measured
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13. Think
Different pitch
E Standard −37 ¢Measured
Notes
The guitars are in standard tuning; much of the colour comes from Brian Jones on dulcimer, marimba, sitar and harpsichord.
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14. What to Do
Different tuning
D Standard −34 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down a whole step.
The tab has the acoustic tuned a whole step down (D Standard) and the electric lead in standard tuning; TuneLit's low-note check of the record agrees with a low D.
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 Aftermath in?
The Rolling Stones recorded Aftermath (1966) in E Standard, about 20 cents flat (A ≈ 435), measured by TuneLit on the CD. 11 songs use other tunings or pitches, listed song by song on this page.
Why does Aftermath sound out of tune with my guitar?
The record sits about 20 cents flat (A ≈ 435), 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.