The "Contortionist 9 String" tuning, as its name vividly suggests, is an incredibly imaginative and highly unconventional setup designed for pushing the boundaries of extended-range guitar. This tuning is described by its creator as "another pretty sick idea that i wanted to try for fun," aiming for experimental and unique sonic textures rather than adhering to traditional harmonic structures.

Technical Analysis

This 9-string tuning presents a truly 'contorted' pitch arrangement across the strings. When examining the open notes from the thickest string (String 9) to the thinnest (String 1), we observe a non-linear progression:

• String 9: A#1
• String 8: F1 (Significantly lower than String 9)
• String 7: A#2
• String 6: D#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: F3 (Lower than String 4)
• String 2: A#4
• String 1: D#5

The most striking aspect is the deliberate placement of lower-pitched notes on higher-numbered (conventionally thicker) strings and higher-pitched notes on lower-numbered (conventionally thinner) strings, creating large, sometimes reversed, intervallic leaps. Specifically, String 8 (F1) is 5 semitones below String 9 (A#1), and String 3 (F3) is 8 semitones below String 4 (C#4). This defies standard guitar interval relationships, opening up a very wide and often dissonant harmonic canvas.

Harmonic and Playability Observations

Despite its unconventional nature, or perhaps because of it, this tuning offers unique sonic opportunities for the adventurous guitarist:

• Deep Drones and Octave Stacks: The tuning features strong drone potential due to stacked octaves/unisons across different strings. For instance, F1 on String 8 and F3 on String 3 create a powerful two-octave F drone. Even more pronounced are A#1 (String 9), A#2 (String 7), and A#4 (String 2), offering a massive three-octave A# drone perfect for generating incredible depth and sustain, foundational for heavy riffs or atmospheric soundscapes.
• Power Chord Accessibility: While traditional open major or minor chords are largely impractical, power chords (root-fifth) remain highly accessible. Intervals of perfect fourths between String 6 (D#3) and String 5 (G#3), and String 5 (G#3) and String 4 (C#4), provide familiar shapes for the aggressive, percussive riffing common in genres like Djent and progressive metal.
• Dissonant and Experimental Voicings: The irregular note arrangement actively encourages the exploration of complex, dissonant, or augmented chord voicings that are virtually impossible in standard tunings. The open strings themselves present a dense cluster of F, A#, D#, G#, C# notes, creating an inherently dark, imposing, and metallic sonic landscape. This makes the tuning ideal for experimental music, cinematic sound design, or pushing the boundaries of heavy genres.
• Unique Melodic and Arpeggio Paths: The wide range and specific intervallic leaps across strings inspire unconventional melodic patterns and arpeggios. Players can leverage the non-linear pitch organization to execute dramatic octave jumps or unique interval stretches with minimal fretboard movement, leading to highly distinctive lead lines and textural playing.

In summary, the "Contortionist 9 String" tuning is an adventurous and highly specialized setup for guitarists dedicated to breaking free from traditional harmonic constraints. It provides a platform for extreme low-end power, complex dissonant textures, and a truly unique approach to sonic expression, making it a powerful tool for modern and experimental music.

Open String Notes:

The Contortionist 9 String tuning results in the following open notes, from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string:

• String 9: A#1
• String 8: F1
• String 7: A#2
• String 6: D#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: F3
• String 2: A#4
• String 1: D#5

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Contortionist 9 String" tuning, adjust your strings according to the following instructions. These movements are typically from a standard 9-string tuning (e.g., F# B E A D G C F A). Please be mindful of string tension and consider string gauge for significant changes, though for this specific tuning, the movements are relatively minor.

• String 9 (A#1): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 8 (F1): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 7 (A#2): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 6 (D#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 5 (G#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 4 (C#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (A#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 1 (D#5): Tune down 1 semitone.

All string movements for this tuning are within 3 semitones down, meaning a change of string gauge is typically not required for these specific adjustments. However, it is always recommended to check your guitar's intonation and adjust the truss rod if necessary to maintain optimal playability and prevent neck issues when making any significant tuning changes.