This unique 6-string Guitar tuning, named Tenor Guitar Tuning, presents an intriguing blend of traditional mandolin-family characteristics with a peculiar twist on the lowest string.

Verbal Analysis

The core of this tuning, as suggested by its name, aims to capture the essence of a tenor guitar, which is typically tuned in perfect fifths. From the 5th string (F2) up to the 1st string (A4), you'll find a consistent series of perfect fifths (F-C-G-D-A). This creates a bright, articulate, and resonant sound, perfect for chord-melody arrangements, mandolin-style arpeggios, and powerful open voicings that lean into the quintal harmony. It will feel familiar to players of mandolins, violas, or cellos, offering a very different harmonic landscape compared to standard guitar tuning.

The most striking and unusual feature of this tuning is the relationship between the 6th and 5th strings. While the 6th string is typically the lowest pitched, here it is tuned to A#2, making it higher in pitch than the 5th string (F2). This inversion creates a distinct sonic texture, potentially acting as a high drone or adding an unexpected tension to open string voicings. It encourages players to explore unconventional fingerings and can lead to unique chord shapes and melodic possibilities, particularly when incorporating the lower strings.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument: 6-string Guitar
• Open String Notes (from thickest to thinnest string, i.e., 6th to 1st string): A#2 - F2 - C3 - G3 - D4 - A4
• Interval Structure:
  • String 6 (A#2) to String 5 (F2): Diminished 5th Down (or Augmented 4th Up, F2 to A#2) - Note: String 6 is higher in pitch than String 5.
  • String 5 (F2) to String 4 (C3): Perfect 5th
  • String 4 (C3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 5th
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (D4): Perfect 5th
  • String 2 (D4) to String 1 (A4): Perfect 5th
• Open Chords & Voicings:
  • The tuning is not immediately conducive to standard open major or minor triads due to the string 6 inversion and the sequence of perfect fifths.
  • An open Fsus4 chord (F, A#, C) can be formed using String 5 (F2), String 6 (A#2), and String 4 (C3).
  • The F-C-G-D-A sequence across strings 5-1 is ideal for creating powerful open 5th chords (power chords) and arpeggiating across the strings to create wide-ranging melodic lines.
  • The tuning lends itself well to quartal and quintal harmony, allowing for rich, open voicings that avoid the 'stack of thirds' typical of standard guitar.
  • With careful fingering, chords like D minor 7 (D-F-A-C) can be implied, utilizing D4 (String 2), F2 (String 5), A4 (String 1), and C3 (String 4).

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires specific adjustments. Please proceed with caution, especially with large tuning changes. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised to maintain optimal string tension and avoid potential damage.

• String 6 (Thickest): Tune to A#2. Tune down 6 semitones. This is a significant drop; a different gauge string is advised.
• String 5: Tune to F2. Tune down 4 semitones. A different gauge string is advised.
• String 4: Tune to C3. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to G3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2: Tune to D4. Tune up 3 semitones. Take care when tuning up 3 semitones.
• String 1 (Thinnest): Tune to A4. Tune up 5 semitones. This is a significant increase in tension; a different gauge string is advised, and proceed with extreme care.