Tuning Analysis: Lake Monsters BBA Tuning

This unique tuning, crafted by the band Lake Monsters, transforms a standard guitar into a powerful, drone-laden instrument, perfect for heavy, atmospheric, or experimental soundscapes. It fundamentally re-imagines the guitar's sonic potential, moving far beyond conventional tunings.

Verbal Analysis

The 'Lake Monsters BBA Tuning' offers a deep, resonant character, largely due to the exceptionally low B on the 6th string and the octaves and fifths present across the lower strings. The open tuning itself doesn't immediately spell out a common major or minor chord, but instead creates a rich, open sound that leans towards a modal or drone aesthetic.

The twin B notes on the 6th and 5th strings provide a massive low-end foundation and a strong, unwavering root. Following this, the sequence of A-D-A-E on strings 4 through 1 creates a highly resonant, open chord structure that can be interpreted as an Aadd11 without a distinct third, or simply a series of powerful fourths and fifths. This section of the tuning is highly reminiscent of drone tunings like DADGAD, offering easy access to open, ringing chords and modal patterns.

This tuning would excel in genres requiring sonic weight, sustain, and open-string melodicism. Think post-rock, doom metal, ambient, or progressive rock where the interplay of open drones and heavy riffs is key. The tuning's structure encourages creative fingerings and rewards players who explore its unique harmonic possibilities rather than relying on standard chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Tuning Name: Lake Monsters BBA Tuning
• Tuning Description: Another tuning by the band Lake Monsters
• Open Notes (Low to High): B1, B2, A2, D3, A3, E4

Let's examine the intervals between the open strings:

• String 6 (B1) to String 5 (B2): Perfect Octave (P8)
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (A2): Major Seventh (M7) descending, or Minor Second (m2) ascending. This is a distinctive interval that can create tension or a bluesy/dark feel.
• String 4 (A2) to String 3 (D3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• String 3 (D3) to String 2 (A3): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect Fifth (P5)

The sequence of P4-P5-P5 on strings 4-1 is particularly notable, offering a very playable structure for power chords and open string drones, similar to the higher strings in DADGAD. The presence of B, A, D, E within the tuning hints at a Dorian or Aeolian (minor) tonality centered around B or D, with the A providing a strong dominant or subdominant feel depending on context. The open strings do not form a conventional major or minor triad, but rather a Bsus2sus4 (B-E-F#-A) sound, or perhaps a Bm11 (B-D-F#-A-C#-E) if we consider the A and E as chord tones, though the third (D) is on string 3, and the fifth (F#) is absent as an open note. This encourages a more intervallic and less chord-shape-dependent approach to playing.

Chordal Possibilities

While not a standard open chord, this tuning facilitates:

• B Power Chords: Easily formed using strings 6 and 5 (B1-B2). Add string 4 (A2) for a B5add#7 or a B(no3) with a strong A drone.
• A Power Chords: Strings 4 and 3 (A2-D3) can be fretted to form A5, while strings 4, 3, 2 (A2-D3-A3) already present a powerful A-D-A cluster.
• D Power Chords: Strings 3 and 2 (D3-A3) form a D5.
• Open Drone Chords: The A-D-A-E sequence on strings 4-1 is a fantastic base for ringing open chords, especially in keys of A minor, D major/minor, or E minor. Barring across these strings at various frets will yield interesting suspended or power chords.
• Modal Voicings: The unique intervals, particularly the B-A on strings 5-4, encourage modal exploration, enabling dense, harmonically rich voicings that step outside traditional major/minor harmony.

Open String Notes

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): B1
• String 5 (A Equivalent): B2
• String 4 (D Equivalent): A2
• String 3 (G Equivalent): D3
• String 2 (B Equivalent): A3
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): E4

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Lake Monsters BBA Tuning' from a standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E2 to B1. Caution: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string (e.g., .056 or thicker) is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. Caution: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string (e.g., .036 or thicker) is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G3 to D3. Caution: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string (e.g., .026 or thicker) is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.