Verbal Analysis

This tuning, effectively a "Standard" tuning but significantly elevated, brings a bright and articulate character to your guitar. It feels familiar under the fingers, as the interval relationships between strings are largely preserved, allowing you to use many of your existing chord shapes and scale patterns. However, the entire sonic landscape shifts upwards, making everything sound as if you've placed a capo on the 5th fret of a standard-tuned guitar. This can be particularly useful for vocalists who prefer higher keys or for achieving a distinct, cutting tone that stands out in a band mix. It lends itself well to genres requiring a brighter, more piercing sound, or for creative exploration in an elevated range.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is set to A2-D3-G3-B3-E4-A4 from the lowest to highest string. It mirrors the intervallic structure of Standard EADGBe tuning, but is transposed upwards.

• Intervals: From low to high, the intervals between strings are: Perfect Fourth (A-D), Perfect Fourth (D-G), Major Third (G-B), Perfect Fourth (B-E), Perfect Fourth (E-A). These are precisely the same intervals found in standard EADGBe tuning.
• Relationship to Standard EADGBe: Most strings are tuned up by a Perfect Fourth (5 semitones) from their standard EADGBe counterparts. Specifically, strings 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1 are raised 5 semitones (E to A, A to D, D to G, B to E, E to A). The 3rd string (G) is raised by a Major Third (4 semitones) to B, specifically to maintain the Major Third interval with the 2nd string (B to E).

Chord Accessibility

Due to its direct relationship to standard tuning, all your familiar open chord shapes and barre chord forms are directly transferable, but they will produce chords a perfect fourth higher.

• An open E major shape (022100 in standard) will now yield an A Major chord.
• An open A major shape (X02220 in standard) will now yield a D Major chord.
• An open D major shape (XX0232 in standard) will now yield a G Major chord.
• Power chords are very easily achieved, maintaining their strong, resonant quality in this higher register.

Important Tuning Considerations

Please be aware: This tuning involves significant upward tension changes for all strings (4 or 5 semitones up). Tuning more than 4 semitones up from standard pitch typically requires a lighter gauge string set to prevent excessive tension, potential string breakage, and possible damage to the guitar's neck or bridge. Proceed with caution and consider consulting a luthier if unsure.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 5 semitones from E2 to A2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 5 semitones from A2 to D3.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 5 semitones from D3 to G3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 4 semitones from G3 to B3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 5 semitones from B3 to E4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 5 semitones from E4 to A4.