Verbal Analysis: The Sound of Maudlin -5

The "Maudlin -5" is a captivating and deeply unconventional guitar tuning, drawing inspiration from the experimental sounds of Maudlin of the Well. This isn't a tuning for the faint of heart or the traditionalist; it's a profound dive into a low, expansive, and harmonically intricate soundscape. By significantly lowering the overall pitch of the instrument, it creates a weighty, resonant foundation that feels both ancient and modern. Its most striking feature is its highly re-entrant nature: the strings are not ordered from lowest to highest pitch in a predictable manner. For instance, your 5th string will sound higher than your 4th, and your 1st string will be surprisingly lower than both your 2nd and 3rd strings. This non-linear arrangement unlocks a unique sonic palette, inviting players to explore harp-like arpeggios, piano-esque voicings, and unexpected melodic paths. It's perfectly suited for crafting ambient textures, progressive rock, or any genre that benefits from a deeply melancholic, mysterious, or haunting sonic character. This tuning encourages a shift from conventional strumming to a more thoughtful, arpeggiated, and textural approach, revealing its true beauty through intricate fingerwork.

Technical Analysis: Unpacking the Voicing

The "Maudlin -5" tuning sets your guitar strings to the following notes, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: A1 (The lowest A, found in the sub-contra octave, providing a deep bass anchor.)
• 5th String: C#3 (An octave and a major third above the 6th string, making it notably higher than the 4th string.)
• 4th String: A2 (An octave above the 6th string, but pitched lower than the 5th string.)
• 3rd String: C#4 (An octave above the 5th string, creating a bright, clear voice.)
• 2nd String: G#4 (A perfect fifth above the 3rd string, adding to the upper harmony.)
• 1st String: B3 (A B in the small octave, surprisingly pitched lower than both the 2nd and 3rd strings, contributing to the re-entrant nature.)

When played open, this tuning forms a rich, extended A Major 9th chord (AΔ9) voicing, specifically spelling out A-C#-A-C#-G#-B. While it contains the root (A), major third (C#), major seventh (G#), and major ninth (B), it distinctively omits the perfect fifth (E). This absence gives the open chord a sophisticated, less overtly resolved quality, offering a sense of both clarity and gentle tension. The wide intervallic jumps between strings, such as the Major 10th between the 6th and 5th strings (A1 to C#3), and the Perfect 5th between the 3rd and 2nd strings (C#4 to G#4), along with the re-entrancy, ensure that this tuning provides a vast and unusual harmonic canvas. While traditional movable chord shapes may not apply directly due to the unique string intervals, barring across the frets will transpose the open AΔ9 chord, offering a unique set of voicings across the fretboard. The complex interweaving of notes makes it particularly suitable for intricate melodic lines and layered harmonies.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Maudlin -5

Achieving the "Maudlin -5" tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe. Due to the extreme lowering of pitch for most strings, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set to maintain proper tension, intonation, and prevent potential damage to your instrument or strings from excessive slack. Please proceed with caution and tune slowly.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. This is a substantial drop, and a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 8 semitones to C#3. This is an extreme drop, making a much heavier gauge string essential for playability and tension.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. This is a considerable drop; a heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 6 semitones to C#4. This represents a significant drop, and a heavier gauge string is advised.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones to G#4. This is a moderate drop, and while a standard string gauge might suffice, heavier strings could improve tone and stability.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. This is a considerable drop; a heavier gauge string is recommended for optimal performance.

Open String Notes (from 6th to 1st string):

String 6: A1

String 5: C#3

String 4: A2

String 3: C#4

String 2: G#4

String 1: B3