Re: stairway, standard tuning or alternate?

[Eddie Edwards <eddie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pat Riley wrote:

>I've heard the difference between the studio version and live
>recordings too, and I think the difference in tuning is actually less
>than a half step.

There is *no* difference in tuning.

>In the studio version, all tracks are perfectly in the key of C.

Well, A minor actually, which is almost the same thing (no flats or
sharps in the key signature).

>I just listened to a couple of live versions, and they both seem to be
>just a little sharp.

You don't say what live versions you're referring to, but if they are
boot versions then the tapes / CDs are probably playing at the wrong
speed.  Not many boots have the speed precisely right, and some are way
off.  If I trusted the good folk at the Mad Dogs label, I would believe
that everything was tuned two semitones sharp at Berkeley, September 13
1971, and that the boys were in a hell of a hurry to commence the after-
show activities.

If you are referring to the official TSRTS and BBC versions, then your
perception is wrong.  The tuning on live versions is the same as on the
studio version.

>I guess Jimmy just tuned all his strings about a half step sharp.  I've
>noticed this in other songs, too, so maybe he just had a thing for
>tighter guitar strings.

What about the bass and keyboards?  Were they tuned sharp as well?  It's
not physically impossible, but it is a somewhat ridiculous suggestion.

Look, I'm sorry to be picky and to revisit ground recently covered by
myself and others, but it bothers me that strange rumours like this
might be taken seriously.  Zep's instruments were all tuned to normal
concert pitch at live shows (with the notable exception of the
mellotron, which was tuned to whatever pitch it felt like on the night).

>As for the finger positions, I believe he always played it the same
>way.  The only live video I have is TSRTS, but I am certain he plays it
>the same way in this as in the studio version.

The left hand fretting is the same, but he picks different patterns with
the fingers of the right hand.

- -- 
Eddie