Verbal Analysis:

The 'Aeolian Descent' tuning, an accidental discovery perfect for fingerstyle, transports the guitarist to a world of deep resonance and open, ethereal harmonies. With its significantly dropped lower strings, it offers a rich, almost ambient foundation that perfectly complements intricate melodic lines and sustained drones. It encourages a less conventional approach to the fretboard, inviting players to explore new sonic textures and emotional landscapes, making it ideal for contemplative and expressive compositions.

Technical Analysis:

• Open String Notes: A1 E2 D3 G3 A3 D4 (from lowest to highest).
• Root and Key: The tuning firmly establishes A as its root, with the lowest string tuned to A1. The presence of E (perfect 5th), G (minor 7th), and D (perfect 4th/11th) suggests an A minor tonality with a suspended or modal flavor, leaning towards A Aeolian or A Dorian due to the prominent D.
• Open Chord Voicing: Strumming all open strings yields an A minor 7th suspended 4th chord (A-E-D-G-A-D). This voicing is full, rich, and provides a natural drone, which is particularly effective for fingerstyle.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • Movable Chord Shapes: Barring across all six strings will produce an A minor 7th sus4 shape that can be moved up and down the neck, allowing for easy transposition of this unique open voicing. For example, a bar at the 5th fret would yield a D minor 7th sus4 chord.
  • Drone Potential: The repeated A (A1, A3) and D (D3, D4) notes across different octaves create excellent opportunities for sustained drones, adding depth and resonance to melodies played on higher strings.
  • Unusual Voicings: The specific intervals (A1-E2, D3-G3, G3-A3, A3-D4) invite unique two- and three-finger chord shapes that are unavailable in standard tuning. The perfect fifth between the 6th and 5th strings (A-E) is retained, making power chords on these strings still accessible and resonant.
  • Fingerstyle Friendliness: The open, sympathetic resonance, coupled with the readily available minor 7th sus4 voicing, makes this tuning exceptionally well-suited for fingerstyle arrangements, allowing for complex harmonies with relatively simple fingerings.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Aeolian Descent tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note the significant drops on the lower strings, which might require a lighter gauge string set for optimal tension and safety.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. (Significant drop, consider lighter gauge string)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Significant drop, consider lighter gauge string)
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note: Tuning strings down by more than 4 semitones (or up by more than 4 semitones) can lead to very low string tension or excessive tension, respectively. For the 6th string (-7 semitones) and 5th string (-5 semitones), a different gauge string is highly recommended to maintain playability and avoid potential damage or poor intonation.

6th String (Low E): Tuned to A1

5th String (A): Tuned to E2

4th String (D): Tuned to D3

3rd String (G): Tuned to G3

2nd String (B): Tuned to A3

1st String (High E): Tuned to D4