Tuning Analysis: Vs self

This unique guitar tuning, known as "Vs self," is famously utilized in the track "Homesick" by Vs self. It is a highly unconventional and deeply resonant tuning that ventures far beyond standard pitch, especially on the lower strings.

Verbal Analysis

The "Vs self" tuning creates a soundscape that is at once dark, expansive, and incredibly atmospheric. The extremely low B1 on the 6th string, combined with the wide and sometimes dissonant intervals across the other strings, lends itself to a powerful, almost orchestral resonance. This tuning is ideal for artists looking to achieve a heavy, textural, or emotionally charged sound that feels grounded and deeply resonant. It's likely to inspire unique melodic and harmonic ideas due to its departure from familiar finger patterns, pushing the player to explore new voicings and techniques.

Technical Analysis

This is a six-string guitar tuning with the following open notes, from lowest to highest pitch:

• 6th String: B1
• 5th String: D3#
• 4th String: B2
• 3rd String: F4#
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: D4

The open tuning presents a complex set of intervals, creating a very wide sonic range across the fretboard. From the 6th to the 5th string (B1 to D3#), there's a significant leap of a Major Tenth. The tuning then descends from D3# to B2 (a Major Third down), followed by a massive ascending interval from B2 to F4# (an Augmented Eleventh, or a tritone plus an octave). The 3rd string to the 2nd string moves down to A3 (a descending Minor Seventh), and finally, the 2nd string to the 1st string forms a Perfect Fourth (A3 to D4).

Harmonically, the open strings (B, D#, B, F#, A, D) strongly suggest a foundation around B. The notes B, D#, and F# form a clear B Major triad, which is prominently featured across strings 6, 5, 4, and 3. Specifically, strings 6 (B1), 5 (D3#), 4 (B2), and 3 (F4#) together create a rich, open B Major chord, with the root and fifth doubled across different octaves. The addition of A3 (minor seventh relative to B) and D4 (which acts as a minor third or an added 9th depending on context) provides further harmonic colour, potentially allowing for open Bmaj7 or more extended chords. The wide range and specific note choices make this tuning particularly versatile for deep, resonant chords and unique melodic passages, moving away from conventional guitar voicings.

How to Tune: Vs self

To achieve the "Vs self" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Please note that significant downward tuning on the lower strings might require a heavier string gauge for optimal tension and tone, as the extreme changes can lead to very low string tension and intonation issues on standard gauge strings.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 6 semitones to D3#. (Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant change; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for proper string tension and to prevent buzzing.)
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F4#.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.