Jon Gomm's 'Deep Sea Fishes' Tuning is a captivating and deeply resonant alternate tuning, specifically designed for his intricate fingerstyle composition of the same name. It evokes a sense of expansive depth and shimmering clarity, perfectly suiting its aquatic inspiration.

Verbal Analysis

The open strings of this tuning immediately present a lush and complex A major 9th chord (A E C# E G# B), offering a rich harmonic foundation right out of the gate. This creates a vibrant, almost ethereal sound when strummed open, inviting complex arpeggios and melodic exploration. The profound drops in pitch on several strings contribute to a unique tension and resonance, giving the guitar an almost piano-like breadth in its lower register combined with sparkling upper extensions. It's a tuning that rewards dynamic fingerstyle playing, allowing for percussive elements to blend seamlessly with rich harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

Compared to standard EADGBe tuning, 'Deep Sea Fishes' involves significant downward adjustments across all strings. The tuning establishes a low A1 on the 6th string, providing an exceptionally deep and powerful bass foundation. The 5th string is tuned to E2, forming a perfect fifth interval with the 6th string (A-E), which is a common and robust intervallic relationship. The 4th string is C#4, completing an A major triad (A, C#, E) with the 6th and 5th strings when considering the full open voicing.

The upper strings continue this harmonic richness: the 3rd string is E3 (an octave higher than the 5th string), the 2nd string is G#4 (the major 7th of A), and the 1st string is B3 (the 9th of A). The overall intervallic structure, from low to high, is A1, E2 (Perfect 5th from A1), C#4 (Major 6th from E2, Major 3rd from A1), E3 (Minor 3rd from C#4, Perfect Octave from E2), G#4 (Major 3rd from E3), B3 (Major 3rd from G#4). The presence of two E notes an octave apart and the strong A-E perfect fifth on the lowest strings creates a very full and resonant sound, perfect for ambient and percussive fingerstyle techniques.

Open Chords & Playability

The most prominent feature is the open A major 9th chord (Amaj9), which provides a sophisticated and complex harmonic starting point. This means that a simple open strum yields a rich, jazz-influenced tonality. Due to the wide intervals and the non-linear progression of notes across the fretboard, traditional chord shapes will need to be re-imagined. However, the inherent harmonic nature of the tuning means that many natural fingerings will produce rich, extended chords or clusters without much effort. Simple one-finger barres can yield surprising and complex tonalities. The lowest two strings (A1-E2) maintain a perfect fifth relationship, allowing for powerful and clear bass notes or power chords. The upper strings are ideally suited for melodic movement, shimmering arpeggios, and expressive ornamentations over the deep, resonant bass foundation.

How to Tune

To achieve Jon Gomm's 'Deep Sea Fishes' tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Caution: This is a significant drop in tension. For optimal tone and string life, especially for prolonged use, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. Caution: This is a significant drop in tension. For optimal tone and string life, especially for prolonged use, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones can result in noticeable string looseness. A slightly heavier gauge string may improve stability and sustain.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones to G#4. Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones can result in noticeable string looseness. A slightly heavier gauge string may improve stability and sustain.
• 1st String (High e): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: This is a significant drop in tension. For optimal tone and string life, especially for prolonged use, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.