Musicians ranging from the most conservative violinist up to the most adventurous guitarist have long explored the symmetrical wonders of fifths tuning. Setting out to provide a reason why the domination of the fourths may be over soon, as far as the realm of jazz is concerned, Groveland Software Labs JazzCittern ModeExplorer might explain why the cittern (as well as other fifths-tuned fretted string instruments) could be the future.

I remember demonstrating a particular fifths-based tuning to my brother-in-law jazz guitarist and a bassist friend of mine who both commented that trying it out was akin to inverting your brain; theoretically speaking, this sounds true. Groveland Software Labs may have provided me a potential avenue to elucidate my love of the fifths to my brother-in-law and my friend the bassist.

With dreams of a fifths-tuning domination, JazzCittern ModeExplorer is touted as preparation for the new world order as far as fretted string instruments. JazzCittern ModeExplorer is built on the theory of the fifths tuning and emphasizes on a five-course (ten-string) CDGAE-tuned cittern, which the folks at Groveland Software Labs aptly call the JazzCittern. This software application is essentially a slide scale rule, chord calculator, and a scale/chord library designed to assist in improvising for cittern players, Bouzouki players, Octave Mandolin players, and New Standard Tuning (NST) disciples in organizing their arsenal of scales and chords as well as provide new ideas for composition via chord voicing/scale references.

General Features:

• Chord derivation from all scale degrees
• Chords are presented in 16 different fingerings and inversions
• Chord/scale playback using real cittern sounds
• Chord progression/jam track builder
• Scale suggestions (for improvisation) from chord progressions
• Groveland Chord DNA Laboratory

Having been a long-time fan of a fifths-based tuning, I find that this new release is a relief for proponents of a rather rare tuning practice (probably unheard from my end of the world) for the guitar. Groveland Software Labs has simplified the task of deriving violin family technique for the guitar in a comprehensive instructional package. You may get your very own registered and fully licensed copy for just $29.95 US.