Tuning Analysis: Baritone Alternate 2

The Baritone Alternate 2 tuning takes your guitar into significantly lower registers, aligning perfectly with its 'Baritone' designation. This tuning is characterized by its deep, resonant sound and a unique set of open string intervals, ideal for heavy genres, extended range playing, and creating a massive sonic landscape. It offers a distinct voice compared to standard tunings, providing a foundation for powerful riffs and expansive atmospheric textures.

Technical Breakdown

The open strings for this tuning are B1-E2-A2-E3-A3-D4 (from low to high). This setup results in a complex but powerful voicing:

• The lowest three strings (B-E-A) form a B suspended 4th chord without the fifth (F#), creating a strong, unresolved foundation.
• The middle three strings (A2-E3-A3) present a clear A power chord, making it very easy to achieve full, resonant power chords by barring across these strings. This repeated A-E pattern offers excellent drone capabilities.
• The top three strings (E3-A3-D4) resemble an Esus4 chord, missing the B, but still providing a strong, open, and ringing quality.
• When strummed open, the full tuning (B-E-A-E-A-D) produces a sound with notes B, D, E, and A. This can be interpreted as a B minor 7th chord with an added 4th (E) or a B suspended 4th chord with an added minor 7th (A) and minor 3rd (D). It's a rich, open voicing that provides a dark and resonant backdrop for songwriting.
• The substantial detuning, especially on the lower strings, greatly enhances string tension and contributes to a sludgy, impactful tone.

Chords and Playability

While not a simple open major or minor chord, the Baritone Alternate 2 tuning excels in providing a fertile ground for unique voicings and heavy riffs:

• Open Power Chords: The A-E-A on strings 4, 3, and 2 makes it very easy to form power chords. By simply moving this shape up and down the neck, you can quickly achieve various powerful voicings. For instance, barring across these three strings at the 2nd fret would give you B-F#-B, a B power chord.
• Drone and Resonance: The repeated E and A notes throughout the tuning encourage drone playing and allow for resonant, open string harmonies against fretted notes.
• Low-End Dominance: The B1 lowest note provides an incredible amount of low-end rumble, perfect for heavy rhythm guitar, extended range solos, or creating ambient soundscapes that require a deep foundation.
• Unique Arpeggios: The non-standard intervals between strings encourage discovery of new arpeggio patterns and lead lines that would be impossible or very difficult in standard tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the Baritone Alternate 2 tuning, you will need to significantly lower the pitch of most of your strings from standard EADGBe. Due to the substantial drops, especially on the lower strings, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to avoid potential damage to lighter strings. Please tune carefully and check your guitar's intonation after tuning.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E2 to B1. *(Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider heavier gauge strings.)*
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. *(Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider heavier gauge strings.)*
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. *(Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider heavier gauge strings.)*
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

6th String: B1

5th String: E2

4th String: A2

3rd String: E3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4