AEAF#BE Guitar Tuner
AEAF#BE | AEAG♭BE Drop A Variant (Untested) - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This is an extremely low and unconventional tuning, clearly designed for heavy, progressive, and experimental music, drawing inspiration from bands like Karnivool. It features a foundational "Drop A" structure but introduces significant re-entrant elements and extreme string tension changes, as indicated by its "THALL" designation.
Verbal Analysis:
This tuning immediately stands out with its incredibly deep A1 on the lowest string, promising a massive, resonant low-end that is perfect for crushing riffs and djent-style palm-muting. The combination of A1-E2-A3 on the bottom three strings provides a powerful open A5 power chord, making it very intuitive for crafting heavy rhythm guitar parts by simply barring these strings. However, the tuning becomes highly experimental and re-entrant in the higher register. The F#4 on the 3rd string being higher in pitch than the B3 on the 2nd string creates unique harmonic relationships and challenges traditional chord voicings. This re-entrant design, coupled with the wide intervals, suggests a tuning tailored for intricate, dissonant, or layered soundscapes rather than conventional chord work. It's a tuning that invites exploration and rewards creative players looking to push boundaries and achieve a distinctively dark, resonant sound.
Technical Analysis:
- Overall Structure: The open notes are A1 - E2 - A3 - F#4 - B3 - E4. This represents a highly extended range with both extremely low and relatively standard-pitched strings, and notably, a re-entrant arrangement where string 3 (F#4) is higher in pitch than string 2 (B3).
- Bottom End (Strings 6, 5, 4): The lowest three strings are tuned A1-E2-A3. This forms a perfect A5 power chord, providing an incredibly solid and heavy foundation. The interval from String 6 to String 5 is a Perfect 5th, and from String 5 to String 4 is a Perfect 4th, allowing for easy barre-style power chords.
- Upper Register (Strings 3, 2, 1): The tuning deviates significantly here. String 4 (A3) to String 3 (F#4) is a Major 6th. String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B3) is a Perfect 5th *down*, creating the re-entrant characteristic. String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4) is a Perfect 4th. This arrangement will yield complex and often dissonant harmonies when strummed open or played with conventional chord shapes.
- Open Chords/Voicings:
- The lowest three strings (A1-E2-A3) naturally form a strong A5 power chord, which is ideal for heavy riffing and chugging.
- Barring across strings 6, 5, and 4 will produce standard power chords (e.g., 2nd fret for B5, 3rd fret for C5), making it intuitive for rhythm guitarists.
- The full open tuning (A1-E2-A3-F#4-B3-E4) creates a complex voicing that could be interpreted as an A chord with added E, B, and F# notes across multiple octaves. It offers a rich, resonant drone quality but might sound dissonant if treated as a conventional chord.
- Potential Chords within Reach:
- Beyond the easy power chords on the bottom strings, the re-entrant nature means traditional open chords (like G, C, D) will not translate directly.
- However, this tuning excels at creating unique, open, and suspended voicings by combining fretted notes with the droning open strings. Exploring intervals and clusters across the middle and upper strings will unlock its full potential for atmospheric or technical playing.
- Single-note melodic lines will benefit from the wide range, allowing for a dynamic interplay between the extremely low notes and the higher register.
Tuning Notes:
String 6 (Lowest): A1
String 5: E2
String 4: A3
String 3: F4#
String 2: B3
String 1 (Highest): E4
How to Tune:
This tuning involves significant string tension changes. Please proceed with extreme caution and consider using appropriate string gauges for optimal performance and to prevent damage to your instrument. Tuning up or down more than 4 semitones often requires a different gauge string.
- String 6 (E Standard): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. (Caution: This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent excessive fret buzz.)
- String 5 (A Standard): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Caution: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
- String 4 (D Standard): Tune up 7 semitones to A3. (Extreme Caution: Tuning a standard D string up 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) to A3 creates immense tension. This carries a high risk of string breakage, bridge damage, and potential neck warping. It is paramount to use a much lighter gauge string specifically for this position, or consult a qualified luthier. Do not attempt with a standard D string.)
- String 3 (G Standard): Tune down 1 semitones to F4#.
- String 2 (B Standard): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
- String 1 (E Standard): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.
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Capos for AEAF#BE
Capo | Tuning | Name |
---|---|---|
0 | AEAF#BE | Drop A Variant (Untested) |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -7
- -5
- 7
- -1
- 0
- 0