BBEABE Guitar Tuner

BBEABE Asus2 - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Asus2

Russian Circles Tuning. Post Metal, Heavy Rock

The "Asus2" tuning, sometimes referred to as a "Russian Circles Tuning," is a profound and heavy soundscape designed for Post Metal and Heavy Rock genres. It plunges the guitar into incredibly low registers, creating a dense, resonant, and often menacing sonic foundation.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is characterized by its exceptionally deep and powerful low end, achieved by dropping the bottom four strings significantly. The result is a sound that feels immense and crushing, perfect for driving, riff-heavy compositions. The open strings themselves hint at an Asus2 chord (A, B, E), allowing for rich, droning textures and easy access to massive power chords. The two lowest strings tuned to the same note (B0 and B1, an octave apart) create an almost organ-like resonance, adding immense weight to any chord played.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are B0-B1-E2-A2-B3-E4 (low to high). This tuning creates interesting harmonic relationships:

The lowest two strings, B0 and B1, form a perfect octave, providing an incredibly thick and foundational low end.
The interval from B1 (5th string) to E2 (4th string) is a perfect fourth.
The interval from E2 (4th string) to A2 (3rd string) is also a perfect fourth.
The interval from A2 (3rd string) to B3 (2nd string) is a compound major second (a major second plus an octave). This jump allows for an open Asus2 voicing with the B and E on the higher strings.
The interval from B3 (2nd string) to E4 (1st string) is a perfect fourth.

The open strings (B, B, E, A, B, E) directly outline an Asus2 chord, making it readily available for open strumming or arpeggiation. The configuration also lends itself exceptionally well to power chords, especially on the lower, heavily dropped strings, enabling powerful, low-end riffs with minimal effort. Chords like B5 (B-F#), A5 (A-E), and E5 (E-B) are easily accessible across the neck, often incorporating the resonant open B strings as a drone.

How to Tune

String 6 (Low E): Tune down 7 semitones to B0. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension due to this significant drop.
String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension due to this significant drop.
String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension due to this significant drop.
String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension due to this significant drop.
String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to B0. This is an extremely low note, significantly dropped from standard E, providing a massive, resonating bass foundation.

String 5 (A): Tuned to B1. This string is tuned down to B, an octave above the lowest string, creating a thick, layered B sound when played open with the 6th string.

String 4 (D): Tuned to E2. Dropped to E, it perfectly complements the B notes, contributing to the underlying Asus2 or B-based tonality.

String 3 (G): Tuned to A2. This string is also dropped to A, completing the core notes for an Asus2 chord with the E and B strings.

String 2 (B): Kept at standard B3. This string remains at its conventional pitch, providing a familiar anchor for higher voicings and lead lines.

String 1 (High E): Kept at standard E4. Retaining the high E allows for brighter melodic content and familiar chord extensions in the upper register.