Tuning Analysis: Eb Sus - Broken Open

The 'Eb Sus' tuning, aptly described as 'Broken Open,' is a highly resonant and harmonically rich configuration for the guitar. It creates an open chord that is essentially an Eb suspended chord with both a Sus2 and Sus4 (or Eb9sus4 without the 3rd). This tuning departs significantly from standard, offering a unique sonic landscape characterized by its ambiguous yet full sound. It's particularly well-suited for ambient music, drone textures, fingerstyle compositions, or slide guitar, where its inherent harmonic complexity can truly shine. The 'Broken Open' aspect comes from the non-linear intervals between strings and the octave displacements of some chord tones, giving it a spacious and ringing quality.

Technical Breakdown:

• Open Chord Voicing: The open strings produce the notes Bb3, Ab3, Eb4, Ab4, Bb4, F4 (A#3 G#3 D#4 G#4 A#4 E4). This collection of notes forms an Eb suspended 4th chord with an added 2nd (Eb Sus2Sus4), or an Eb9sus4 (without the major 3rd).
• Root and Intervals: The root (Eb or D#) is found on the 4th string (D#4). From this root, the other notes provide: a perfect 5th (Bb/A#) on strings 6 and 2, a suspended 4th (Ab/G#) on strings 5 and 3, and a suspended 2nd/9th (F/E) on the 1st string.
• Unisons and Octaves: The tuning features octave repetitions of the suspended 4th (Ab/G# on strings 5 and 3) and the perfect 5th (Bb/A# on strings 6 and 2). This layering contributes to the tuning's impressive sustain and harmonic density.
• Wide Intervals: The intervals between some strings are quite wide, especially in the lower register (e.g., between string 6 and 5, or 5 and 4), which is characteristic of 'open' tunings and allows for rich, ringing voicings.

Open & Reachable Chords:

While the open strings already form a complete Eb Sus2Sus4 chord, the structure makes it easy to explore related voicings:

• Eb Suspended Chords: Simply strumming all open strings yields the rich Eb Sus2Sus4. By selectively muting or fretting, you can isolate parts of this chord, creating lighter suspended voicings.
• Power Chords: With the root (D#4) on the 4th string, power chords (Eb5) can be easily formed by fretting two or three strings in parallel shapes up the neck. The repeating Bb/A# notes also lend themselves to strong 5th voicings.
• Drone Chords: The Ab/G# and Bb/A# notes ringing out on multiple strings make this tuning excellent for drone-based music. Simple single-finger barres can create new suspended or open voicings against the sustained open strings.
• Modal Playing: The lack of a major or minor third makes this tuning highly versatile for modal explorations, particularly in Eb modes or related scales that emphasize the suspended intervals.

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Eb Sus' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note the significant changes on some strings:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 6 semitones (from E2 to A#2).
• String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitone (from A2 to G#2).
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone (from D3 to D#3).
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone (from G3 to G#3).
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone (from B3 to A#3).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) (E4).

Tuning Advisory: The 6th string requires tuning up by 6 semitones. For any string changes exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is strongly advised to prevent string breakage and potential instrument damage. Exercise extreme caution during the tuning process for the 6th string.

String 6 (Low E Equivalent): A3# (Bb3)

String 5 (A Equivalent): G3# (Ab3)

String 4 (D Equivalent): D4# (Eb4)

String 3 (G Equivalent): G4# (Ab4)

String 2 (B Equivalent): A4# (Bb4)

String 1 (High E Equivalent): E4 (F4)