Tuning Analysis: Amaj9 Open Tuning

This is the Amaj9 Open Tuning, specifically designed for Guitar. As its name suggests, this tuning immediately presents a full A Major 9th chord when all strings are played open, making it exceptionally expressive for slide and lap steel guitar techniques. It offers a rich, complex harmonic foundation without the need for fretting, perfect for creating lush soundscapes and expansive chordal work.

Technical Breakdown

The open strings are tuned to A2, C#4, E3, G#4, B3, E4. When arranged chromatically and considering their roles within the A Major scale, these notes form a complete A Major 9th chord:

• A (Root)
• C# (Major 3rd)
• E (Perfect 5th)
• G# (Major 7th)
• B (Major 9th)

The tuning features octave doublings of the E (perfect 5th) on the 4th and 1st strings, providing additional resonance and depth. The specific intervallic relationships across the strings create a harmonically rich canvas, allowing for a wide range of musical expression even with minimal fretting.

Chords and Playability

The primary advantage of this tuning is the instant access to an Amaj9 chord across all open strings. This makes it incredibly intuitive for:

• Slide Guitar: Effortlessly slide into any major 9th chord by simply moving a slide or barre to the desired fret. For example, barring at the 2nd fret yields a Bmaj9 chord.
• Lap Steel: Similar to slide, it's a foundational tuning for lap steel, allowing broad chordal sweeps and melodic voicings that resonate beautifully.
• Chordal Exploration: While the full Amaj9 is at your fingertips, you can also easily imply other chords. Playing the lower three strings (A-C#-E) forms an A major triad. The upper strings (E-G#-B-E) can imply an E major chord with an open bass or provide rich melodic possibilities within the A major context.
• Melodic Phrases: The structure of the tuning, with its consistent harmonic intervals, allows for fluid melodic phrases to be played against the open chord, opening up creative avenues for improvisation in the key of A Major.

How to Tune

To achieve the Amaj9 Open Tuning, you'll be adjusting several strings significantly from standard EADGBe tuning. Please proceed with caution, especially with larger semitone adjustments. Always tune slowly and check string tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up to A2 (5 semitones up). Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change; for optimal tension and to prevent string breakage, a heavier gauge string is generally advised.
• 5th String (A): Tune up to C#4 (4 semitones up). Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change; for optimal tension and to prevent string breakage, a heavier gauge string is generally advised.
• 4th String (D): Tune up to E3 (2 semitones up).
• 3rd String (G): Tune up to G#4 (1 semitone up).
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E4.

For tunings requiring shifts of more than 4 semitones (up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised to maintain optimal playability and string longevity, and to prevent potential damage to your guitar.

String 6: A2

String 5: C#4

String 4: E3

String 3: G#4

String 2: B3

String 1: E4