"Even Unison" Tuning Analysis

This intriguing tuning, aptly named "Even Unison," presents a unique sonic landscape for the guitar. As its creator describes, it's a counterpart to the "Odd Unison" tuning, focusing on pairs of strings tuned to the exact same pitch. This creates a rich, harmonically dense sound, almost like a 12-string guitar effect, but with a specific, paired resonance.

Verbal Analysis:

The immediate sensation upon strumming the open strings in "Even Unison" is one of fullness and shimmering depth. The repeated notes on adjacent strings produce a natural chorus effect, adding body and sustain to every note played. It's likely to feel very resonant and powerful, especially for open chords or drone-like passages. This tuning could excel in genres requiring atmospheric textures, folk music with a rich strumming base, or experimental soundscapes. The unisons might also make single-note melodic lines stand out with increased presence, creating a powerful melodic voice.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning layout is as follows: A2-A2-G3-G3-E4-E4.

• Unison Pairs: Strings 6 & 5 are tuned to A2, strings 4 & 3 to G3, and strings 2 & 1 to E4. This symmetrical pairing is the defining characteristic and source of its unique resonance.
• Open Chords & Voicings:
  • The open strings present the notes A, G, and E. These notes strongly suggest an open Am7 (A minor 7th) chord without the 3rd (C). Specifically, with A (root), E (perfect 5th), and G (minor 7th), it creates a powerful and resonant Am7sus4 or Am7(no C) voicing, which can be highly effective as a drone or harmonic foundation.
  • Alternatively, considering the notes E, G, A, it could be interpreted as an Em7sus2 (E minor 7th suspended 2nd) or Em7add4. If E is the root, G is the minor 3rd, and A is the perfect 4th. This yields a rich, slightly dissonant, yet beautiful open voicing.
  • The deliberate pairing of unison notes makes simple power chords or open strumming particularly impactful, producing a very full and thick sound.
• Intervals Between Pairs:
  • Between the low A pair (A2, Strings 6 & 5) and the middle G pair (G3, Strings 4 & 3) there is a minor 7th interval (10 semitones). This wide interval provides a strong harmonic stretch across the lower strings.
  • Between the middle G pair (G3, Strings 4 & 3) and the high E pair (E4, Strings 2 & 1) there is a major 6th interval (9 semitones). This creates a bright and uplifting quality to the upper register.
• Playability: The identical tuning of adjacent strings might require a slight adjustment to typical fingerings, as familiar chord shapes will produce different harmonic results or simply reinforce the same note. However, it opens up possibilities for interesting drone effects, fingerstyle patterns emphasizing the unisons, and unique voicings by simply fretting one string of a unison pair while leaving the other open, creating sympathetic resonance.

How to Tune to "Even Unison"

To achieve the "Even Unison" tuning, begin from standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e). Carefully adjust each string as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 5 semitones from E2 to A2. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string or proceeding with care to avoid string breakage.)
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 5 semitones from D3 to G3. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string or proceeding with care to avoid string breakage.)
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 5 semitones from B3 to E4. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string or proceeding with care to avoid string breakage.)
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at E4.

When tuning strings up by more than 4 semitones, it is generally recommended to use a different gauge string more suited to the higher tension. Always tune slowly and carefully to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

Tuning Notes

For this "Even Unison" tuning, your guitar strings should be tuned to the following pitches:

• String 6 (Low E String): A2
• String 5 (A String): A2
• String 4 (D String): G3
• String 3 (G String): G3
• String 2 (B String): E4
• String 1 (High E String): E4