The Baritone Nashville tuning offers a truly unique sonic landscape, described as a slightly darker variant of the traditional Nashville (or high-string) tuning. It's designed to add thickness and distinct voicings, particularly effective when layered or doubled with a standard guitar, creating an expansive and rich harmonic texture.

Technical Analysis

This tuning maintains the low B and E strings typical of a baritone setup (B2 and E3), providing a solid, deep foundation. However, it then diverges significantly from standard or even baritone tunings with its unique string arrangement:

• String 6: B2
• String 5: E3 (Perfect 4th above B2)
• String 4: D3 (Major 7th above E3, or Minor 2nd below E3 - a descending interval relative to the prior string)
• String 3: A3 (Perfect 4th above D3)
• String 2: F4# (Major 6th above A3)
• String 1: B3 (Perfect 4th below F4# - a descending interval relative to the prior string, or an octave above B2)

The presence of descending intervals between String 5 and 4 (E3 to D3), and String 2 and 1 (F4# to B3) makes this a highly non-linear tuning. This complexity means that standard chord shapes will not translate directly, requiring players to explore new fingerings and voicings.

Chordal Implications and Usability

Strumming the open strings (B, E, D, A, F#, B) will yield a rich and somewhat ambiguous sound, not readily identifiable as a common major or minor chord. However, the tuning contains elements that can be selectively used:

• The combination of B2 (6th string), D3 (4th string), and F4# (2nd string) provides a strong B minor triad, suggesting a potentially melancholic or dark tonal center.
• The octave spread of B2 to B3 (6th and 1st strings) creates a full and resonant root.
• Due to its unique intervals and the blend of baritone depth with high-string characteristics, this tuning is exceptionally well-suited for arpeggiated passages and fingerstyle playing, where individual notes can ring out and combine in unexpected harmonies.
• It would excel in cinematic scores, ambient music, or any genre where a lush, layered, and slightly mysterious sound is desired. It encourages creative exploration beyond conventional fretboard patterns, inviting players to discover new harmonic possibilities.

Here are the notes for each string in this unique Baritone Nashville tuning:

String 6 (Lowest): B2 (Low B)
String 5: E3 (Low E)
String 4: D3 (Mid D)
String 3: A3 (Mid A)
String 2: F4# (High F sharp)
String 1 (Highest): B3 (High B)

How to Tune to Baritone Nashville

To achieve the Baritone Nashville tuning, carefully adjust each string from standard EADGBe tuning according to the following instructions:

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune up 7 semitones to B2.
  Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a significant increase in string tension. We strongly advise using a heavier gauge string for this position to prevent breakage and ensure stable intonation.
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 7 semitones to E3.
  Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a significant increase in string tension. We strongly advise using a heavier gauge string for this position to prevent breakage and ensure stable intonation.
• String 4 (D string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 5 semitones to F4#.
  Consideration: Tuning down 5 semitones may result in a looser feel and potential intonation issues. A lighter gauge string could improve playability and sustain for this string.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 5 semitones to B3.
  Consideration: Tuning down 5 semitones may result in a looser feel and potential intonation issues. A lighter gauge string could improve playability and sustain for this string.