
Sleep is a doom metal band that primarily uses C standard tuning for their songs. Bassist Al Cisneros, who also plays for the band OM, may use half step down tuning for OM, but this is not confirmed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuning | C standard |
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What You'll Learn

Sleep uses C standard tuning
Sleep, the doom metal band, largely uses C standard tuning. This information was shared by a user on Reddit, who seemed certain about Sleep's use of C standard tuning but was less sure about the tuning used by the related band OM.
C standard tuning is a common tuning for a six-string guitar. It is a popular choice for many metal bands due to its lower pitch and heavier sound compared to other tunings. The C standard tuning is achieved by tuning the guitar's six strings to C, G, C, F, A, and D, starting from the lowest pitch string to the highest.
This tuning is often favoured by metal guitarists as it allows them to play in lower, heavier-sounding keys without having to adjust their guitar technique too much. The lower pitch of the tuning also gives the guitar a thicker, more robust sound that is well-suited to the dense and distorted tones characteristic of metal music.
Sleep's use of C standard tuning is consistent with their musical style and influences. The band is known for their heavy, slow-paced sound, and the C standard tuning likely contributes to the distinct tone and atmosphere of their music. It is also possible that the band may experiment with other tunings or variations in their songs, as many metal bands do, to create diverse and unique sonic landscapes.
While C standard tuning is commonly associated with Sleep, it is important to note that different sources or band members may provide varying insights or recollections about their exact tuning preferences or variations they explore in their creative process. Nonetheless, the use of C standard tuning by Sleep has been acknowledged and discussed among fans and musicians alike.
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Al Cisneros is from Sleep and OM
Al Cisneros is a bassist and vocalist known for his work with the stoner/doom metal band Sleep and the experimental duo OM. Cisneros first came to prominence in 1992 with Sleep's second album, 'Sleep's Holy Mountain'. He also played in the precursor band to Sleep, Asbestosdeath, and has released music as a solo artist.
Sleep's music is largely in C standard tuning. While the tuning OM uses is less certain, one source suggests that Cisneros may use half-step-down tuning for OM and that he didn't start using a 5-string until later in the band's career.
Cisneros has been a Rickenbacker player throughout his career, and his playing style is known for its "sidewalk-shaking low-end". His songs and lyrics often reflect an interest in otherworldly dimensions and psychedelic experimentation, regardless of whether he is playing with Sleep, OM, or as a solo artist.
In 2005, Cisneros was active in a duo called OM, occasionally joined by a third member to form a trio. OM's bass lines took on a massive, progressive character, supplanting the guitarist's role. OM's 2012 tour for the Advaitic Songs album included Robert Lowe on backing vocals, guitar, synthesizer, and tambura. Lowe had previously appeared on OM's album 'God Is Good'.
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OM may use half-step-down tuning
While there is no definitive answer to the question of the tuning preferences of OM, it has been speculated that the band may use half-step-down tuning. This speculation is based on the assumption that Al Cisneros, the band's bassist, employs this tuning method. However, it is important to note that this information is not confirmed and is presented as a personal opinion by a commenter on a Reddit thread.
Half-step-down tuning, also known as 'half-step down' or 'half-step lower' tuning, involves lowering the pitch of each string on the guitar or bass by one semitone. This results in a darker and lower-pitched sound compared to standard tuning. The specific tuning for a six-string guitar in half-step-down tuning would be from the lowest to highest string: Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, and Eb.
This type of tuning is commonly used in heavier genres of music, such as metal and hard rock, to achieve a thicker and more aggressive tone. It allows musicians to play chords with a slightly lower tension on the strings, which can be beneficial for certain playing styles and techniques. Additionally, it provides a convenient way to transpose songs that are originally in keys that are difficult to play on a guitar in standard tuning.
While OM's use of half-step-down tuning is speculative, it is known that the band Sleep, also associated with Al Cisneros, primarily uses C standard tuning. This provides a slight contrast in sound between the two bands, as C standard tuning is a whole step lower than standard tuning, resulting in a darker and heavier sound compared to the brighter tone of standard tuning.
In conclusion, while we cannot be certain of OM's exact tuning preferences, the possibility of them using half-step-down tuning is worth considering. This tuning technique is known for its ability to create a distinct sound that aligns with the stylistic choices of certain genres and artistic expressions.
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Al Cisneros may have used a 5-string
Al Cisneros, the bassist and vocalist for the band Sleep, is known for his distinctive tone and unique right-hand technique. While the band's music is largely in C standard tuning, there has been speculation about Cisneros' preferred bass tuning and whether he uses a 4-string or 5-string bass.
Cisneros has been a longtime user of Rickenbacker basses, including the 4004, 4003, and 4003S5 models. In an interview, he expressed his preference for 5-string basses, stating that they offer more versatility in tuning and allow him to maintain the tonality of the instrument. He noted that he started using 5-string basses more frequently around 2010 and that they feature on some of his recent recordings with Sleep and OM.
One source mentions that Cisneros didn't start using the 5-string until later in his career with OM, specifically for the album *Vinum Sabbathi*. This suggests that he primarily used a 4-string bass during his early work with Sleep. However, another source indicates that Cisneros played a Rickenbacker 4004 on the early songs, and more recently, he has been seen using a Rickenbacker 4003S5, which is a 5-string bass.
Cisneros also shared his thoughts on the limitations of 4-string basses: "You can only tune down a four-string so far, and I don't believe that those drop-tuning devices really do anything. I think they're just a way to sell more strings." The switch to 5-string basses allowed him to explore different tunings and expand his musical possibilities.
In 2019, Rickenbacker released the 4003AC Al Cisneros Signature bass, which is a combination of a 4-string and 5-string bass, allowing him to easily transition between songs without switching instruments. This bass features distinctive green inlays and a unique pickup configuration, reflecting Cisneros' preferred playing style and tone.
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Vinum Sabbathi is a song by OM
"Vinum Sabbathi" is indeed a song by OM, a band that features former Sleep bassist Al Cisneros. Sleep largely used C standard tuning, but it is unclear whether OM used the same tuning. One source suggests that OM may have used half-step-down tuning, but this is unconfirmed.
"Vinum Sabbathi" appears to be inspired by the writings of Arthur Machen, particularly his novel "The Three Impostors" or a chapter called "Vinum Sabbati." H.P. Lovecraft also referenced this work in his essay "Supernatural Horror in Literature." In the context of the song, "Vinum Sabbathi" could refer to a bad drug trip, with "Vinum Sabbathi" translating from Latin to "Sabbath Wine" or "Saturday Wine." Some listeners interpret this as a code word for weed or other drugs, such as heroin. However, the term may also invoke associations with the band Black Sabbath.
The song explores themes of transformation and the consequences of consuming mysterious substances. This aligns with the story in Machen's novel, where a young law student named Francis Leicester obtains an unusual salt-like substance from an apothecary, which has unforeseen effects on the user. The song's lyrics, such as "Now I'm a slave to the black drug" and "Narcotic of the faceless ones," further reinforce the interpretation of a dark and addictive experience.
Overall, "Vinum Sabbathi" by OM draws from literary influences and uses symbolic language to create a compelling narrative within the doom metal genre. The song's tuning may have contributed to the atmospheric sound that characterizes OM's musical style, but the specific tuning remains unconfirmed by the band.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep is largely in C standard tuning.
C standard tuning is when the low E string is tuned down to a C note.
Sleep is made up of Al Cisneros, Matt Pike, and Jason Roeder.
It has been speculated that Al Cisneros might use half step down tuning for his work with OM.
Half step down tuning is when all the strings are tuned down by one half step, making the low E string an Eb note.





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