Ethereal Balanced Tuning 02

The "Ethereal Balanced Tuning 02" is a deeply resonant and highly unconventional re-entrant tuning, designed to evoke a dark, spacious, and atmospheric soundscape. All strings are significantly lowered from standard tuning, contributing to its rich, deep timbre. This tuning is particularly unique due to its re-entrant nature, where the 4th string is tuned lower than both the 5th and 6th strings, creating wide, open intervals that can lead to unexpected harmonic possibilities.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes, from thickest (6th) to thinnest (1st), are:

• String 6: A2#
• String 5: C3#
• String 4: F2 (the lowest note on the guitar in this tuning)
• String 3: A3#
• String 2: F3
• String 1: A4#

The actual pitches, ordered from lowest to highest, are F2 (4th string), A2# (6th string), C3# (5th string), F3 (2nd string), A3# (3rd string), and A4# (1st string). This re-ordering highlights the dramatic drop of the 4th string, making it a distinctly re-entrant tuning.

When played open, this tuning forms a powerful Bb minor chord (Bb - Db - F), with numerous octaves and doublings. Specifically, the notes F, A# (which is enharmonically Bb), and C# (enharmonically Db) are prominently featured. The strong presence of A#/Bb across multiple octaves (A2#, A3#, A4#) and F across two octaves (F2, F3) provides a clear, rich Bb minor tonality. This makes it ideal for melancholic, contemplative, or ambient pieces, offering immediate harmonic depth without fretting.

The intervals between adjacent strings are highly varied and unconventional, allowing for unique voicings and drone possibilities. The wide interval between the 5th string (C3#) and the 4th string (F2), where the 4th string is significantly lower, is a defining characteristic. This setup encourages exploration of large, open chord shapes and intricate fingerstyle patterns that leverage the deep bass of the 4th string. Due to the significant downward tuning of all strings, standard chord shapes will be completely altered, requiring a fresh approach to the fretboard. However, the inherent Bb minor chord in the open position offers a direct entry point for creating music in this key, with readily available octaves for melodic embellishment.

How to Tune

To achieve the Ethereal Balanced Tuning 02, you will be tuning all strings down significantly. It's recommended to approach this carefully, using a reliable tuner:

• String 6 (Low E): To reach A2#, tune down 6 semitones.
• String 5 (A): To reach C3#, tune down 8 semitones.
• String 4 (D): To reach F2, tune down 9 semitones.
• String 3 (G): To reach A3#, tune down 9 semitones.
• String 2 (B): To reach F3, tune down 6 semitones.
• String 1 (High E): To reach A4#, tune down 6 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauges: All strings in this tuning require adjustments exceeding 4 semitones down. For optimal tone, tension, and to prevent potential damage to your instrument or strings, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge set of strings specifically designed for very low tunings. Attempting this tuning with standard light or medium gauge strings may result in excessive looseness, poor intonation, and potential string breakage if tuned up too high initially.