This intriguing tuning, aptly named "New Comintern - We Open," offers a unique sonic landscape, blending deep, resonant lows with a slightly melancholic yet expansive feel. The original description hints at an experimental nature, seeking a "perfect compromise between other weird similar tunings," and we're eager to see how it works for you.

Verbal Analysis

The open strings immediately evoke an A minor tonality, but with an intriguing twist. The doubled A notes (A1, A2, A3) provide a solid, resonant foundation, creating a powerful drone effect. The presence of the C (minor third) throughout reinforces the minor mood, while the D (perfect fourth) introduces a suspended, open quality, preventing it from being a simple minor chord. It's a tuning that feels both grounded and spacious, lending itself well to atmospheric soundscapes, introspective fingerstyle, or powerful, droning riffs. The low A string gives it a heavy, almost bass-like presence, perfect for modern rock, metal, or ambient styles. It has a slightly dark and contemplative character but remains very musical.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: A1, A2, C3, D3, A3, C4. The tuning is built around the notes A, C, and D, with multiple octaves of A and C for richness.
• Interval Structure: From the lowest A (string 6), the intervals are: Unison (A2), minor 3rd (C3), perfect 4th (D3), octave (A3), minor 3rd (C4). This creates a layered A minor (add4) or A minor 11th chord, heavily emphasizing the A root and C minor third.
• Implied Chord: The open strings form an A minor (add4) chord. Specifically, A-C-A-D-A-C. This provides a rich, complex minor sound with the added tension of the perfect fourth, making it neither fully major nor a straightforward minor.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • Open A Minor: Strumming all open strings yields a powerful A minor (add4) sound. Easily form A minor chords by barring across higher frets.
  • Power Chords: The low A strings (6 & 5) are an octave apart, making two-finger power chords incredibly easy across these strings. Simply barre across any fret on strings 6 & 5 for instant power chords rooted on A. For example, a barre at the 3rd fret would yield a C power chord (C-G-C).
  • Modal Play: The open D string (string 3) offers a natural pivot for D Lydian or G Mixolydian scales over the A minor base, opening up interesting modal explorations.
  • Easy Minor Chords: Chords within the A minor key will be highly accessible. Experiment with simple one or two-finger shapes on the upper strings to create variations on Am, Dm, and G chords, taking advantage of the resonant open strings. For instance, playing an E on string 3 (2nd fret) would create an A minor triad (A-A-C-E-A-C).
• String Tension Considerations: The significant drop in tuning for strings 6 (-7 semitones), 3 (-5 semitones), and 1 (-4 semitones) suggests that heavier gauge strings would be highly beneficial to maintain proper tension, intonation, and tone, preventing floppiness and ensuring sustain.

How to Tune

To achieve the "New Comintern - We Open" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note the significant drops in pitch for several strings, where heavier gauge strings are highly recommended for optimal performance.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. This is a substantial drop, lowering the string by more than a perfect fifth. Consider a heavier gauge string for this.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. This is a significant drop, lowering the string by a perfect fourth. Consider a heavier gauge string for this.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. This is a significant drop. Consider a heavier gauge string for this.

Important Note on String Gauge: For strings 6, 3, and 1, which are tuned down by 7, 5, and 4 semitones respectively, using a heavier gauge string set is strongly advised. This will help maintain adequate string tension, prevent intonation issues, and ensure a fuller, more resonant tone.

Here are the notes for each string in the "New Comintern - We Open" tuning, from lowest (6th string) to highest (1st string):

• String 6: A1
• String 5: A2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: D3
• String 2: A3
• String 1: C4