Verbal Analysis

The C6/9 Tuning transforms your guitar into a vibrant and harmonically rich instrument, immediately presenting a lush C6/9 chord when played open. This makes it an excellent choice for styles like jazz, Hawaiian music, lap steel, or any genre where a sophisticated, extended chord sound is desired without complex fingerings. The open chord provides a fantastic sonic backdrop for melodies, arpeggios, and slide techniques. However, extreme caution is advised due to the significant changes in string tension. Four strings are tuned up considerably, and two are tuned down significantly. As the original description notes, sourcing different string gauges for this tuning is highly recommended to prevent string breakage and ensure optimal playability and intonation.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The tuning from low to high (String 6 to String 1) is A2, D3, G3, C4, E3, A3.
• Chord Voicing: These open notes combine to form a full C6/9 chord (C-E-G-A-D), featuring the root (C), third (E), fifth (G), sixth (A), and ninth (D) across the strings. This provides a wonderfully rich harmonic foundation that is always accessible.
• Interval Relationships:
  • String 6 (A2) to String 5 (D3): Perfect 4th
  • String 5 (D3) to String 4 (G3): Perfect 4th
  • String 4 (G3) to String 3 (C4): Perfect 4th
  • String 3 (C4) to String 2 (E3): Major 6th (E3 is 9 semitones above C4)
  • String 2 (E3) to String 1 (A3): Perfect 4th
• Reachable Chords: The open tuning itself is a C6/9. By barring across any fret, you can easily transpose this C6/9 to other 6/9 chords (e.g., 1st fret for C#6/9, 2nd fret for D6/9, etc.). The consistent Perfect 4th intervals across the lowest four strings (A-D-G-C) and the highest two (E-A) allow for easy movable chord shapes, particularly power chords and voicings built on fourths. The G-C-E on strings 4-3-2 offers a C Major triad.
• String Tension Considerations: This tuning involves extreme string movements. Four strings (6, 5, 4, 3) are tuned up by 5 semitones (nearly a half-octave!), while two strings (2, 1) are tuned down by 7 semitones (a perfect fifth). These drastic changes will significantly alter string tension, potentially leading to string breakage if unsuitable gauges are used, or making the strings overly loose/tight for comfortable playing and intonation. Heavier gauges for strings 6-3 and lighter gauges for strings 2-1 are strongly advised to manage these tension shifts effectively.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please proceed with caution, especially when tuning strings up by multiple semitones. For any string movement exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different gauge string is highly recommended to ensure instrument safety and optimal playability.

• String 6 (Low E): From E2, Tune up 5 semitones to A2.
  Caution: Tuning up by 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. Consider a heavier gauge string.
• String 5 (A): From A2, Tune up 5 semitones to D3.
  Caution: Tuning up by 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. Consider a heavier gauge string.
• String 4 (D): From D3, Tune up 5 semitones to G3.
  Caution: Tuning up by 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. Consider a heavier gauge string.
• String 3 (G): From G3, Tune up 5 semitones to C4.
  Caution: Tuning up by 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. Consider a heavier gauge string.
• String 2 (B): From B3, Tune down 7 semitones to E3.
  Caution: Tuning down by 7 semitones is a significant decrease in tension. Consider a lighter gauge string.
• String 1 (High E): From E4, Tune down 7 semitones to A3.
  Caution: Tuning down by 7 semitones is a significant decrease in tension. Consider a lighter gauge string.

String 6: A2

String 5: D3

String 4: G3

String 3: C4

String 2: E3

String 1: A3