This tuning is known as Cigar Box Open A, specifically designed for the unique characteristics of a 4-string Cigar Box Guitar. As highlighted in its description, the Cigar Box Guitar is a homemade instrument with no standard for dimensions or string types, making this open tuning a practical choice for achieving a full chord with ease.

Verbal Analysis

The core appeal of this tuning is its simplicity: when all open strings are strummed, they immediately form an A Major chord. This makes it incredibly user-friendly for beginners or for players who want to quickly achieve a rich, harmonious sound. The lowest string provides a strong root, followed by a full A Major triad spread across the higher strings. It's a robust and resonant tuning, perfect for blues, folk, or slide playing, where a strong foundational chord is often desired.

Technical Analysis

The tuning consists of the notes A2 - E3 - A3 - C#5. This arrangement directly spells out an A Major chord (A - C# - E) with the root (A) appearing in two octaves and the fifth (E) and major third (C#) completing the triad. Let's look at the intervals relative to the lowest A2 string:

• String 4 (A2): Root
• String 3 (E3): Perfect Fifth (7 semitones above A2)
• String 2 (A3): Octave Root (12 semitones above A2)
• String 1 (C#5): Major Third (16 semitones above A2, or 4 semitones above A3)

This structure creates a powerful A major voicing across the strings. The presence of the A3 and C#5 strings in particular provides a bright, ringing quality to the open chord.

Chordal Opportunities

• Open Chord: The most obvious chord is a resonant A Major when all strings are strummed open.
• Barre Chords: Due to the open A Major configuration, simply barring all four strings at any given fret will yield another major chord. For example, barring at the 1st fret gives A# Major, the 2nd fret B Major, 3rd fret C Major, and so on. This makes it incredibly straightforward to play a wide range of major chords across the fretboard.
• Slide Guitar: This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for slide playing. The ability to easily create major chords by sliding a single bar or slide along the fretboard makes it ideal for blues and roots music styles.
• Implied Chords: While full minor or other complex chords require specific fingerings, the open major foundation makes it easier to imply these chords by focusing on certain string combinations or by adding a single finger to alter a major chord. For example, to get an A minor feel, one might focus on the A and E strings and avoid the C# string, or try to fret a C natural somewhere.

Overall, the Cigar Box Open A tuning offers a rich, full sound with excellent playability for major chords and slide techniques, making it a staple for many Cigar Box Guitarists.

The open strings for the Cigar Box Open A tuning are set to the following notes:

• String 4 (Lowest String): A2
• String 3: E3
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (Highest String): C#5

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Cigar Box Open A' tuning, adjust your strings according to the following movements:

• String 4 (Lowest String): Tune down 5 semitones to reach A2.
• String 3: Tune down 3 semitones to reach E3.
• String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune down 3 semitones to reach C#5.

Important Tuning Considerations:

Please take particular care when adjusting your string tension. Tuning down 5 semitones for String 4 is a significant alteration. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is often advisable to consider a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension, playability, and to prevent potential damage to your instrument or strings. Ensure your strings are stable at their new pitches before playing.