Ascending Alphabet Tuning Analysis

The "Ascending Alphabet" tuning, originally conceived as the "Alphabet Tuning" by its creator, is a truly unique and unconventional approach to setting up your Guitar. As its creator humorously notes, it's a "weird tuning thought of while bored," and that spirit of experimentation shines through. This tuning is not for the faint of heart or those seeking traditional chord shapes, but rather for explorers of melody, modal playing, and distinctive sonic landscapes.

Technical Overview

This tuning transforms your instrument into a melodic powerhouse, laying out the natural notes of the C major (or A natural minor) scale across its strings, albeit with significant octave shifts. The open notes are configured as follows from the lowest (String 7) to the highest (String 1) string:

• String 7 (Low E equivalent): A1
• String 6 (A equivalent): B1
• String 5 (D equivalent): C3
• String 4 (G equivalent): D3
• String 3 (B equivalent): E3
• String 2 (High E equivalent): F3
• String 1 (Extra String, if applicable): G4

The intervals between strings are highly irregular, creating a challenging yet rewarding landscape:

• A1 to B1: Whole Step (2 semitones)
• B1 to C3: Major 9th (14 semitones) - a very significant leap across octaves!
• C3 to D3: Whole Step (2 semitones)
• D3 to E3: Whole Step (2 semitones)
• E3 to F3: Half Step (1 semitone)
• F3 to G4: Major 9th (14 semitones) - another substantial jump across octaves!

Chords and Playability

The "Ascending Alphabet" tuning is less about strumming conventional chords and more about discovering unique voicings and melodic possibilities. Playing all open strings simultaneously results in a complex cluster of A, B, C, D, E, F, G – effectively an A natural minor scale or C major scale across several octaves. This creates a rich, resonant, and somewhat open sound that can lean towards minor tonalities or even sound highly modern and atonal depending on context.

While traditional open chords are challenging due to the wide and irregular intervals, the tuning naturally presents the components of various chords. For instance:

• A minor: The notes A1 (String 7), C3 (String 5), and E3 (String 3) are all present as open strings.
• C major: The notes C3 (String 5), E3 (String 3), and G4 (String 1) are all present as open strings.
• F major: F3 (String 2), A1 (String 7), and C3 (String 5) are available, requiring large stretches or careful voicings.
• G major: G4 (String 1), B1 (String 6), and D3 (String 4) are available, also requiring significant jumps.

The non-linear arrangement encourages single-note lines, arpeggios, and two- or three-note chord fragments that utilize the natural scale layout. It's particularly well-suited for modal exploration, especially in A natural minor or C major modes. Players might find themselves gravitating towards open string drones combined with melodic lines on adjacent strings. Experiment with sliding chord shapes up and down the neck, as the consistent whole steps between C3-D3-E3 offer some familiar patterns, contrasting sharply with the large octave jumps elsewhere. This tuning will push your playing into new and exciting territories, rewarding creativity over adherence to standard forms and fostering a fresh perspective on the fretboard.

Tuning Notes & How to Tune

This section details each string's target note in the "Ascending Alphabet" tuning and provides precise instructions for adjusting your strings from a standard tuning. Please be mindful of the significant changes required for some strings.

Target Notes (from lowest to highest string):

• String 7: A1
• String 6: B1
• String 5: C3
• String 4: D3
• String 3: E3
• String 2: F3
• String 1: G4

How to Tune (from lowest to highest string):

• String 7 (A1): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard pitch.
• String 6 (B1): Tune down 5 semitones from its standard pitch. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A lighter gauge string is highly recommended to maintain proper tension and playability.
• String 5 (C3): Tune up 3 semitones from its standard pitch. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones increases string tension. Ensure your string can handle this stress without breaking.
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard pitch.
• String 2 (F3): Tune down 6 semitones from its standard pitch. Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant change. A lighter gauge string is highly recommended to maintain proper tension and playability.
• String 1 (G4): Tune up 3 semitones from its standard pitch. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones increases string tension. Ensure your string can handle this stress without breaking.