The Baritone Alternate tuning, as its name suggests, offers a unique and expansive soundscape for the Baritone Guitar. Departing significantly from standard baritone tunings, this configuration unlocks a distinct harmonic palette, particularly favoring rich, open voicings and providing a strong, resonant low end.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to B1-E2-A2-E3-A3-C4 (from lowest to highest). Analyzing the intervals reveals a distinctive structure:

• String 6 to String 5 (B1 to E2): Perfect 4th
• String 5 to String 4 (E2 to A2): Perfect 4th
• String 4 to String 3 (A2 to E3): Perfect 5th (inverted from E to A)
• String 3 to String 2 (E3 to A3): Perfect 4th
• String 2 to String 1 (A3 to C4): Minor 3rd

This tuning is essentially a modified form of an open chord. The upper five strings (E2-A2-E3-A3-C4) clearly outline an A minor chord (A-C-E), presented with repeated roots and fifths, and the minor third on the highest string. The lowest B1 string acts as a powerful pedal tone, creating a compelling sound that hints at either a B minor (with an added 4th and 6th) or an A minor chord with a strong B bass foundation.

Verbal Analysis & Playability:

This Baritone Alternate tuning provides a deep, resonant quality well-suited for ambient soundscapes, heavy riffs, or open chord voicings that need a wide spread. The inherent A minor chord on the higher strings makes it remarkably easy to play various voicings:

• Open A Minor: Simply strumming strings 5 through 1 creates a full A minor chord. Adding the low B provides a rich, slightly dissonant, or suspended color depending on the context.
• Drone Capabilities: The repeated E and A notes across the middle strings, combined with the low B, make this tuning excellent for drone-based music or modal explorations.
• Ease of Barre Chords: The consistent interval pattern of P4-P4-P5-P4-m3 (from B upwards, or P4-P5-P4-m3 from E upwards) means that moving a barre shape up and down the neck will yield predictable, often powerful, chord structures. For instance, a full barre across all strings at the 1st fret would give you C-F-Bb-F-Bb-Db, which is an F minor with a C bass. A barre at the 2nd fret would yield C#-F#-B-F#-B-D, an open B minor chord with a C# bass.
• Creative Freedom: This tuning encourages experimentation beyond standard chord shapes, pushing players to explore unique harmonic possibilities and expansive voicings, particularly effective on the longer scale length of a baritone guitar.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Lowest): B1
• String 5: E2
• String 4: A2
• String 3: E3
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (Highest): C4

How to Tune:

To achieve the Baritone Alternate tuning (B1-E2-A2-E3-A3-C4), carefully adjust each string. Please pay close attention to the semitone changes, especially for larger adjustments, as they may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and tone and prevent damage.

• String 6 (B1): Tune down 5 semitones. Note: For movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down), a different string gauge is advised.
• String 5 (E2): Tune down 5 semitones. Note: For movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down), a different string gauge is advised.
• String 4 (A2): Tune down 5 semitones. Note: For movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down), a different string gauge is advised.
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (C4): Tune down 4 semitones. Note: For movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down), a different string gauge is advised.

Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid damaging your strings or instrument. Use a reliable chromatic tuner for best accuracy and always double check your tuning.