Description

This unique and experimental tuning, famously utilized by Sonic Youth for their song "Candle," offers a distinct sonic landscape characterized by deep drones and striking dissonance.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, the tuning creates a powerful, almost industrial drone with its prominent C notes (C3 and C4) across the middle and high strings. The extremely low A1 on the 6th string provides a rumbling, foundational bass that adds immense depth and weight to the overall sound. The most defining characteristic, however, is the captivating dissonance between the G3 and G#4 on the 3rd and 2nd strings, respectively. This close, clashing interval is a hallmark of Sonic Youth's innovative and often abrasive sound, creating a tension that is both unsettling and strangely compelling. The tuning encourages a textural approach to playing, favoring sustained notes, percussive attacks, and unconventional melodic lines over traditional chord shapes, resulting in a dense, resonant, and unmistakably experimental sonic tapestry.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: A1 C3 C3 G3 G#4 C4 (from low E to high E string).
• Key Intervals: The tuning features a strong emphasis on C, with C3 doubled on strings 5 and 4, and another C4 on string 1. The most dissonant interval is the G3 and G#4 (an augmented unison/minor second across an octave) on strings 3 and 2, providing the tuning's signature bite. The low A1 acts as a deep, resonant pedal tone.
• Harmonic Implications: While not conforming to a conventional major or minor chord, the open strings suggest a complex, almost cluster-like harmony. The prevalent C notes establish a strong sense of a C-centric drone. The G-G# tension avoids a clear tonal center, instead creating an open, ambiguous, and often menacing sound.
• Chordal Accessibility: Traditional open chords are largely unavailable due to the unconventional intervals. However, the doubled C3s make powerful C-based drones and power chords (by simply barring strings 5 and 4, or 5, 4, and 1) incredibly easy to achieve. The low A1 allows for deep, single-note bass lines or open, resonant figures. The unique G-G# interval opens up possibilities for specific dissonant voicings, encouraging players to explore new harmonic territories and sonic textures rather than relying on standard chord shapes.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• String 6 (Low E to A1): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Due to the significant drop (exceeding 4 semitones), a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
• String 5 (A to C3): Tune up 3 semitones to C3.
• String 4 (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B to G4#): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note for this string is G4#. This movement, when applied to a standard B3 string, would typically result in a G#3. Users aiming for G4# should confirm the starting pitch or consider the provided movement instruction carefully against the intended final pitch.
• String 1 (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. A heavier gauge string may be advised for this significant drop to ensure optimal performance and tension.