About the 'a modal' Tuning

This intriguing 'a modal' tuning, also described as a "downgraded b modal," transforms your standard guitar into a resonant, drone-friendly instrument. The open strings are tuned to A-E-A-E-A-B, creating a rich harmonic foundation dominated by the A and E notes, which are the root and perfect fifth of an A chord.

Verbal Analysis

The 'a modal' tuning offers a deeply resonant and open sound, making it exceptionally well-suited for slide guitar, fingerstyle arrangements, and drone-based music where sustain and harmonic richness are key. The extensive use of perfect fifths (A-E) across multiple octaves creates a powerful, almost orchestral backdrop. The highest string, tuned to B, adds a captivating major second (or 9th) over the root A. This provides a bright, often melancholic or contemplative edge, giving the tuning its distinctly modal character and preventing it from sounding like a simple power chord.

Players will find that simply strumming the open strings produces a full, expansive A5add9 (an A power chord with an added 9th) sound, ready to inspire melodic improvisation or heavy rhythmic patterns. Its open nature simplifies playing, allowing for full chords with minimal fretting, and opens up new sonic textures not easily achievable in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: A1 E2 A2 E3 A3 B3 (from low E string to high e string)
• Root Note: A
• Intervals (relative to A1): Root (A1), Perfect 5th (E2), Octave (A2), Perfect 5th (E3), Octave (A3), Major 2nd/9th (B3).
• This tuning predominantly features the A and E notes, effectively creating an Open A power chord (A5) across the first five strings, spanning three octaves (A1, A2, A3) and two perfect fifths (E2, E3). The highest B3 string introduces a Major 2nd (or 9th) interval relative to the fundamental A. This structure imparts a distinct 'modal' or 'suspended' quality, as it deliberately omits a major or minor third, fostering harmonic ambiguity and versatility.
• Chord Shapes:
  • Open Chord: The open strings produce a rich A5(add9) chord (A, E, B).
  • Barre Chords: By simply barring all strings at any fret, you can easily achieve other 5th chords with an added 9th (e.g., barring at the 2nd fret yields B5(add9); at the 3rd fret yields C5(add9)). This provides immediate access to powerful, resonant chord voicings.
  • Major/Minor Chords: Major and minor chords based on the root A can be formed by carefully fretting the 1st string to introduce the appropriate third. For example, to achieve A Major, fret the 1st string at the 4th fret (C#). For A minor, fret the 1st string at the 3rd fret (C).

Tuning Notes and How to Tune

To achieve the 'a modal' tuning, you will be tuning all your guitar strings down significantly from standard EADGBe tuning. Please pay close attention to the recommended semitone adjustments for each string.

Notes for Each String:

• String 6 (Low E): A1
• String 5 (A): E2
• String 4 (D): A2
• String 3 (G): E3
• String 2 (B): A3
• String 1 (High e): B3

How to Tune:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones from Standard E2 to A1. (Note: Tuning down 7 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones from Standard A2 to E2. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones from Standard D3 to A2. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones from Standard G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from Standard B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 5 semitones from Standard E4 to B3. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)