Verbal Description

This custom 'A Tuning (modified)' offers a unique sonic landscape, developed to explore new musical territories. As described by its creator, it's 'Just a tuning I came up with,' suggesting a personal and experimental approach, encouraging exploration beyond conventional tunings.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for this tuning are A2-D2-G2-C3-F3-A3, from the lowest to the highest string. This tuning features a striking pattern of perfect fourth intervals across the lower five strings (A-D-G-C-F). This consistent interval structure can make it highly intuitive for transposing chord shapes and scale patterns across the fretboard. The final interval between the 2nd string (F3) and the 1st string (A3) is a major third, breaking the perfect fourth pattern and providing a distinctive, brighter top-end voicing.

The open strings themselves create a rich and complex chord. Analyzing the notes (A, D, G, C, F, A), if A is considered the root, we have A (root), D (perfect 4th/11th), G (minor 7th), C (minor 3rd), F (minor 6th), and A (octave). This forms a resonant A minor 11 (add b6) chord, lending a dark, full, and slightly melancholic character to the open sound. This open chord provides a strong harmonic foundation, while the uniform fourths in the lower register will allow for easy voicings and expansive stretches, making it particularly suitable for ambient soundscapes, jazz, or experimental rock genres.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'A Tuning (modified)' from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific string movements:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 5 semitones from E2 to A2. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. It is strongly advised to use a heavier gauge string to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 7 semitones from A2 to D2. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a substantial change. A lighter gauge string may be beneficial to avoid excessive slack and improve playability.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones from D3 to G2. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a substantial change. A lighter gauge string may be beneficial to avoid excessive slack and improve playability.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 7 semitones from G3 to C3. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a substantial change. A lighter gauge string may be beneficial to avoid excessive slack and improve playability.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 6 semitones from B3 to F3. Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change. A lighter gauge string may be beneficial to avoid excessive slack and improve playability.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones from E4 to A3. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a substantial change. A lighter gauge string may be beneficial to avoid excessive slack and improve playability.

String 6: A2

String 5: D2

String 4: G2

String 3: C3

String 2: F3

String 1: A3