Tuning Analysis: counter productive gravitational gyration

This unique tuning, aptly named "counter productive gravitational gyration", stems directly from an original composition titled "counter productive gravitational gyration". It presents an intriguing landscape for exploration on the Guitar, shifting several strings significantly from standard tuning to create a distinct sonic character.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: A#3, A#3, D3, G3, C4, E4 (from the lowest to the highest string).

• Low Strings (6th & 5th): Both the 6th and 5th strings are tuned to A#3. This creates a powerful, deep unison on the lowest two strings, offering a resonant and thick foundation.
• Middle Strings (4th & 3rd): The 4th string remains D3 and the 3rd string remains G3, matching standard tuning. These strings provide a familiar anchor within the tuning.
• High Strings (2nd & 1st): The 2nd string is tuned up by one semitone to C4 from its standard B3. The 1st string remains E4. This adjustment, alongside the open G3, creates elements of a C major chord (C-E-G) on the higher strings.

Verbal Description & Playability

The most striking feature of this tuning is the bold unison of A#3 on the 6th and 5th strings. This provides a massive, drone-like quality, perfect for driving rhythms, power chords, or ambient textures in a heavy rock, metal, or experimental genre. While the full open tuning (A#3 A#3 D3 G3 C4 E4) does not form a conventional major or minor chord, it presents a complex, dissonant cluster that can be highly evocative. It contains an A# root, D (a major third if A# were A# major), G (minor sixth), C (minor second from A#), and E (major fourth).

Despite the open string dissonance, familiar chord shapes can emerge. The D3, G3, C4, E4 on the middle and high strings provide a relatively common foundation. For example, the open G3, C4, E4 already forms a C major triad, offering a brighter counterpoint to the deep A# foundation. Moving up the neck, barre chords on the lowest two A# strings will instantly create powerful intervals. Due to the unique open string intervals, this tuning encourages unconventional fingering and exploration, potentially leading to fresh harmonic and melodic ideas not easily found in standard tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the "counter productive gravitational gyration" tuning, follow these string adjustments. It's important to use a reliable tuner and be mindful of string tension, especially for significant changes.

• String 6 (Lowest string, target A3#): Tune up 6 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 6 semitones from a standard E2 string would typically result in A2#. The target A3# is an octave higher. If starting from standard E2, reaching A3# requires an 18-semitone increase, which is extremely high tension and strongly advises a different, lighter gauge string to prevent breakage or damage to your instrument. Please proceed with extreme care.
• String 5 (target A3#): Tune up 1 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 1 semitone from a standard A2 string would result in A#2. The target A3# is 12 semitones (an octave) higher than standard A2. Similar to String 6, achieving A3# from A2 requires a very large jump in pitch, indicating that the 1-semitone movement might be relative to an unstated starting point, or the string will be under extreme tension. A lighter gauge string is highly recommended if starting from standard A2.
• String 4 (target D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at D3.
• String 3 (target G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at G3.
• String 2 (target C4): Tune up 1 semitones. This string moves from standard B3 to C4.
• String 1 (Highest string, target E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E4.

After tuning, always check your guitar's intonation to ensure notes ring true across the fretboard.

Open String Notes:

String 6: A3# (Low A#)

String 5: A3# (A#)

String 4: D3 (D)

String 3: G3 (G)

String 2: C4 (C)

String 1: E4 (High E)