Tuning Overview: The Plot In You - 'Divide'

This is the distinct guitar tuning used for The Plot In You's song 'Divide'. It's an exceptionally bold and experimental setup designed for heavy, textured soundscapes. The tuning creates a deep, resonant foundation with extremely low notes, but astonishingly features even lower pitches on a higher-numbered string, while simultaneously incorporating strikingly high pitches on the upper strings. This leads to a complex, almost orchestral harmonic range that will undoubtedly challenge and inspire adventurous players looking for unique sonic possibilities and heavy riffing potential.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The full open tuning, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st) string, is: A#2, F2, C#4, G#4, D#5, G#5.
• Re-entrant Fifth String: A defining and highly unusual characteristic of this tuning is the 5th string (F2) being pitched lower than the 6th string (A#2). Specifically, F2 is 7 semitones below A#2, creating a re-entrant interval. This unconventional arrangement demands a unique approach to playing, opening up possibilities for drone effects, unexpected low-end movement, and challenging traditional guitar voicings.
• Extreme Pitch Range: The tuning spans an enormous range, from the very low F2 on the 5th string to the bright G#5 on the 1st string. This creates dramatic intervallic jumps across the fretboard, most notably between the 5th (F2) and 4th (C#4) strings, which are separated by almost two octaves (19 semitones).
• Harmonic Potential: While the overall open tuning with the re-entrant 5th string is inherently dissonant when strummed across all strings, certain groupings yield specific harmonic textures:
  • The upper four strings (C#4, G#4, D#5, G#5) form a potent C#sus2 chord (C# - G# - D# - G#), or a clear G# power chord (G#-D#-G#) if the 4th string is muted.
  • Due to the re-entrant nature, conventional open power chords across the lowest strings are not readily available. This tuning primarily encourages single-note lines, two-string voicings, and experimental chord shapes that strategically utilize the wide and unusual intervals.
• Playability Considerations: The extreme tension variations across the strings—with significant drops on the lower strings and considerable increases on the upper strings—necessitate a careful selection of string gauges for optimal playability, intonation, and string longevity. Navigating the vast pitch differences and the re-entrant string will require precision, adaptation, and potentially advanced techniques.

Tuning Notes Breakdown

**String 6 (Lowest):** Tuned to **A#2**. This deep note provides a powerful, growling foundation.

**String 5:** Tuned to **F2**. Unconventionally, this string is pitched lower than the 6th string, creating a re-entrant effect, making it the absolute lowest note in the tuning.

**String 4:** Tuned to **C#4**. A significant jump in pitch from the 5th string, introducing a higher register to the middle of the guitar.

**String 3:** Tuned to **G#4**. This note forms a perfect fifth with the 4th string, creating a strong harmonic anchor.

**String 2:** Tuned to **D#5**. Another perfect fifth above the 3rd string, extending the higher harmony.

**String 1 (Highest):** Tuned to **G#5**. Completing the higher register, this note forms a perfect fourth above the 2nd string.

How to Tune (From Standard EADGBe)

• **String 6 (Low E):** Tune down 6 semitones to **A#2**. This extreme drop below standard tuning requires a much heavier gauge string to maintain tension and avoid breakage.
• **String 5 (A):** Tune down 4 semitones to **F2**. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is recommended to prevent floppiness and ensure intonation.
• **String 4 (D):** Tune down 1 semitone to **C#4**.
• **String 3 (G):** Tune up 1 semitone to **G#4**.
• **String 2 (B):** Tune up 4 semitones to **D#5**. This considerable increase in pitch suggests using a lighter gauge string to avoid excessive tension and potential breakage.
• **String 1 (High E):** Tune up 4 semitones to **G#5**. Similar to the 2nd string, a lighter gauge string is advisable due to the increased tension and risk of breakage.