ZZ Top · 1996 · Studio album

Rhythmeen tuning.

E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD. 3 of 12 songs are tuned differently.

Rhythmeen album cover

Album tuning

E Standard +4 ¢

At concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD.

MeasuredDisputed

Tune like thisPlay alongAll 12 songs

Measured by TuneLit

At concert pitch

SourceOffsetEquivalent ASongsSpreadConfidence
CD, RCA 74321 39466 2 (EU, 1996)+4.1 ¢A 44112+1.3 to +5.4 ¢High
Offset from concert pitch (A 440). Spread: the middle half of the songs, when four or more share the album's pitch. Confidence: how well the notes agree with one grid.

Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (disputed).

Gibbons's low-tuned album, about 4 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441). The title track and Prettyhead are tabbed in C Standard and Loaded in E♭ Standard; the rest falls back on E Standard, but Gibbons spoke of D, B and low A tunings and some songs probably sit lower than listed.

12 songs · 3 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. 1. Rhythmeen

    Different tuning

    C Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down 4 half steps.

    Tabbed in C Standard, two whole steps down; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.

    The main tab is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps down, in line with Gibbons's account of the album's low tunings.

  2. 2. Bang Bang

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    No tab. TuneLit hears much of the bass line on a low B, below a standard bass's open E, which fits Gibbons's account of a B tuning for this album; the guitar may be tuned down too. Check by ear.

  3. 3. Black Fly

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

  4. 4. What's Up with That

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    TuneLit's reading is weak and points about 14 ¢ flat; the button keeps the album's value.

    On its own, this song measures flatter: CD −14.3 ¢ (medium confidence). Tune uses the album's +4 ¢.

  5. 5. Vincent Price Blues

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    TuneLit hears the bass reaching a low D, below a standard bass; the guitar may be in a D tuning. Check by ear.

  6. 6. Zipper Job

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

  7. 7. Hairdresser

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    TuneLit hears the bass reaching a low D, below a standard bass; the guitar may be in a D tuning. Check by ear.

  8. 8. She's Just Killing Me

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    The most-viewed tab of the album, in E Standard; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.

  9. 9. My Mind Is Gone

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

  10. 10. Loaded

    Different tuning

    E♭ Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down a half step.

    Its only tab, a machine transcription, is in E♭ Standard; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.

    The only tab, a machine transcription (Songsterr AI), is in E♭ Standard.

  11. 11. Prettyhead

    Different tuning

    C Standard +4 ¢Measured

    Notes

    How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down 4 half steps.

    Tabbed in C Standard like the title track; TuneLit's semitone check agrees. It measures about 11 ¢ sharp, close enough to the album to share its value.

    The one tab (little viewed) is in C Standard, like the title track.

  12. 12. Hummbucking, Pt. 2

    E Standard +4 ¢Measured

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 Rhythmeen in?

ZZ Top recorded Rhythmeen (1996) in E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured by TuneLit on the CD. Rhythmeen and Prettyhead use C Standard +4 ¢; Loaded uses E♭ Standard +4 ¢.