Tuning Overview: A# Dreamscape

This unique tuning, internally referred to as 'a#fcgac', is a fascinating exploration beyond standard guitar configurations. Its creator notes it as a personal 'messed around' variation stemming from the atmospheric essence of Ben Howard's 'Only Love' tuning. It leans heavily into a deeply resonant, almost melancholic, and certainly dreamlike sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis:

The 'A# Dreamscape' tuning immediately evokes a sense of deep moodiness and expansive resonance. With its lowest string pitched all the way down to A#2, it provides an incredibly rich, dark foundation. The open string configuration itself forms a complex, suspended-like chord. The prominent A# and F in the lower register create a powerful, droning base, while the higher C, G, A, and C fill out a sound that is both open and intricate. This isn't a tuning for simple strumming of major/minor chords; instead, it encourages open voicings, arpeggios, and percussive techniques that exploit its natural sustain and the sympathetic resonance between strings. It's particularly well-suited for ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle passages, and expressive melodic lines where the drone capabilities can truly shine. The lack of a direct major or minor third in the open strings means the tuning inherently feels suspended and ambiguous, allowing for a wide range of emotional expression.

Technical Analysis:

This is a highly altered drop tuning for a standard 6-string guitar. From the lowest to highest string, the open notes are: A#2, F2, C3, G3, A3, C4. Compared to standard EADGBe tuning, most strings are significantly lowered.

• The root note is a prominent A# (Bb) on the 6th string. The intervals relative to this low A# are: Root (A#/Bb), Perfect 5th (F), Major 2nd (C), Major 6th (G), Major 7th (A), and Major 9th (C). This creates a sophisticated open chord that can be interpreted as a Bbmaj7(add2,6) or A#maj7(add2,6), making it inherently suspended and open-ended.
• The open tuning itself forms a resonant A# (or Bb) chord with rich extensions, giving it a full, piano-like quality.
• Chords reachable with ease include:
  • Open Chord: The open strings (A#2-F2-C3-G3-A3-C4) form a beautiful, complex A#maj7(add2,6) voicing. This chord rings with immense sustain and character.
  • Movable Shapes: By barring across any fret, you can achieve a movable version of this rich open chord, allowing for easy key changes while retaining the tuning's unique harmonic structure. For instance, barring at the 1st fret yields a Bmaj7(add2,6) voicing.
  • Drone Chords: The lower A# and F notes are excellent for droning, allowing for melodic development on the higher strings. Simple two or three-finger chords combining the open strings with fretted notes will yield unexpected and rich voicings due to the unique intervals.
• The wide interval drops for most strings mean that standard chord shapes are largely unplayable, forcing the player to explore new fingerings and voicings that take advantage of the tuning's inherent harmonic relationships.
• The use of two C notes (C3 and C4) across different octaves provides a strong octave presence for the 2nd/9th interval, and potentially allows for interesting sympathetic vibrations.

Here is a detailed breakdown of each string's tuning:

• 6th String (Low E Equivalent): Tuned to A#2. This provides a deep, resonant bass foundation.
• 5th String (A Equivalent): Tuned to F2. It creates a perfect fifth above the A# on the 6th string, adding depth and harmonic stability.
• 4th String (D Equivalent): Tuned to C3. This note adds a major second (or ninth) above the low A#, contributing to the tuning's suspended quality.
• 3rd String (G Equivalent): Tuned to G3. Providing a major sixth above the A# root, it introduces a melodic and open interval.
• 2nd String (B Equivalent): Tuned to A3. This is a major seventh above the low A#, adding a sophisticated harmonic layer.
• 1st String (High E Equivalent): Tuned to C4. An octave higher C than the 4th string, it completes the open voicing with a bright, ringing quality.

How to Tune to A# Dreamscape

This tuning involves significant changes from standard EADGBe. Please proceed with care, especially with large drops in pitch. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), consider if a different string gauge might be more suitable for optimal tension and string life.

• 6th String (E): Tune down 6 semitones to A#2. This is a substantial drop, so detune slowly.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. This is a noticeable drop, proceed carefully.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 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 4 semitones to C4. This is a noticeable drop, proceed carefully.