Album Rating: 5.0

"1979 is one of those songs that so perfectly captures the essence of the '90s and nothing like it will ever be made again. Which is sad, but I suppose that's how it has to be." -WillieD



Smashing Pumpkins is one of my all-time favorite bands, and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" is one of my favorite albums. Smashing Pumpkins set the standard for alternative rock upon the release of the record. I don't think many can compare their efforts to those displayed on the record, so I would not bother holding them to that standard. Also, the album is not played in Drop C. There might be a handful of Smashing Pumpkins songs played in that tuning, but I'm pretty sure a majority of their songs on "Mellon Collie..." are played in E-minor.

1979 is one of the greatest songs of all time. I think it's my favourite song ever.

Album Rating: 4.5

Hey droptune, on some songs, like "Jellybelly", the first string was tuned down an additional whole step to C♯ (referred to by Corgan as "the 'grunge tuning'").

Album Rating: 5.0

You are correct Egarran, but what I meant to say was the majority of "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" isn't played in C. C# and E-minor are very close to each other and easy to switch between. Not to mention both sound great and are perfect for grunge. "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" has a variety of tunings used on the album so it is unfair to say all of the record is played in one tuning. However, it is possible to do so.

Album Rating: 4.5

On the other hand, according to Corgan - who I believe was implicated in the recording of this album - all guitars on the album were tuned down a half-step in order to "make the music a little lower".

Album Rating: 3.5

His username is DropTune, he's clearly the authority on this subject... forget Corgan I'm trusting the random internet guy.

Album Rating: 4.5

If only he read the comments in this thread, we could have avoided all this awkwardness.

Album Rating: 5.0

Well, "plethora" was a stretch, and yes, I saw Corgan's comment on that. When he said a "half-step down," that implied that all of the guitars were tuned to E-minor (D# G# C# F# A# D#). Tuning to E-minor removes stress from the vocalist because he doesn't have to strain as much to sing over the guitar. The lower tuning allows Corgan to relax more and sing in a deeper range. Not to mention the lower sound produces a deeper sound when combined with distortion. A few of the songs were tuned to C# (C# G# C# F# A# D#), but I cannot remember all of them aside from "Jellybelly." C# became mainstream in the 90's after a lot of notable grunge songs were played in said tuning. James Iha plays a lot in the C-range, especially in A Perfect Circle, so it's more or less his style.

Album Rating: 5.0

FINALLY



I learnt how to play to forgive on guitar.



But I'm struggling with stumbleine, fucking arpeggios.

Album Rating: 5.0

I have very small fingers, so I agree arpeggios are very difficult. I typically use my wammy bar and bend thinner strings rather than run a scale. Utilizing arpeggios are one of those techniques that takes time to master.

Album Rating: 5.0

100% true.

Album Rating: 5.0

The only issue is the way I use my wammy bar and depending on the distortion, it sounds like I'm playing KoRn.

Album Rating: 5.0

Maybe because you're using the same gear as them :P

Album Rating: 5.0

I wish, but KoRn has very expensive gear. Not to mention I don't tune my guitar to A or B. The lowest I go is Drop C. My amp cannot handle Drop A or B because it's a Fender.

Album Rating: 5.0

Oh, that' interesting maybe that's why everyime I tuned the guitar on drop c it sounds so detuned, or maybe its the strings.

Album Rating: 5.0

Strings play an integral part in sound. For a while, I used 54 gauge strings and when I tuned to Drop D, it sounded way heavier than one would imagine. Thicker strings have considerably better sound quality than thinner strings, and there is a science behind that, but I cannot explain it. Thicker strings are harder to bend and move around on because they really dig into your finger tips, so they do throw in a learning curve. Thicker strings also don't deteriorate as fast as its thinner counterparts and play, at least in my opinion, considerably clearer.

Album Rating: 4.8

My girlfriend just gave this a 3.5... Idk what to do anymore

Album Rating: 5.0

I don't trust your gf, then.



But it doesn't affect me because I'm not the kind of person who makes friend with other girlfriends, unless I've planned to steal her if the couple broke up.

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah I dunno man maybe keep playing the stuff after XYU-the sensitive Billy Corgan love making playlist stuff-it might grow on her then.

Album Rating: 3.5

'unless I've planned to steal her if the couple broke up'

Hahaha, oh man.