This is the third variant of the Baritone Alternate tuning, designed for the Guitar. It offers a deeply resonant and open sound with a significant low-end presence, characteristic of baritone tunings. The overall tonality leans strongly towards an open A Major 9 chord, providing a bright yet expansive sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is ideal for musicians looking to explore rich, atmospheric textures, drone-like qualities, or powerful, open-string driven riffs. The open, ringing nature of the strings, especially with the wide interval on the first string, allows for distinctive melodic interplay against the lower notes. It's well-suited for genres ranging from ambient and post-rock to heavier styles that benefit from a deep, harmonically rich foundation.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The open strings are tuned to B1-E2-A2-E3-A3-C5# (from low to high).
• Interval Structure: The intervals between adjacent strings are:
  • 6th (B1) to 5th (E2): Perfect 4th (P4)
  • 5th (E2) to 4th (A2): Perfect 4th (P4)
  • 4th (A2) to 3rd (E3): Perfect 5th (P5) - This unique interval breaks the pattern of consecutive 4ths, adding harmonic interest.
  • 3rd (E3) to 2nd (A3): Perfect 4th (P4)
  • 2nd (A3) to 1st (C5#): Major 10th (M10) - A very wide interval, skipping an octave to the C# an octave above the expected C#4 from standard down-tuning, creating a distinctive chime.
• Open Chords and Harmony: Strumming all open strings primarily produces an A Major 9 chord with a low B root. The notes A, C#, and E are prominent (A2, E3, A3, C5#), firmly establishing an A Major tonality. The B1 and E2 add depth and extensions, creating a rich and complex open voicing.
• Accessible Chords: The consistent Perfect 4th and Perfect 5th intervals across the lower strings (6th to 2nd string) make it relatively easy to form power chords and drone shapes by barring or using two-finger voicings. For instance, moving a single finger across the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings will create resonant open chord voicings. Barre chords will produce rich, complex harmonies due to the open string structure. Standard chord shapes will require adaptation, but the tuning's inherent resonance simplifies many open-string arrangements.

Open String Notes

• 6th String: B1 (Low B)
• 5th String: E2
• 4th String: A2
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: C5# (High C#)

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Important Note on String Gauge: Several strings require significant tuning down (exceeding 4 semitones). For movements of -5 semitones or more, a heavier gauge string set, typically designed for baritone or lower tunings, is highly recommended. This will help maintain proper string tension, intonation, and string life. Tuning a standard gauge string set this far down may result in very loose, floppy strings and compromised tone.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C5#.