The Sonic Youth "Becuz" Tuning

This is the distinctive BEGDBB tuning, famously employed by experimental rock pioneers Sonic Youth on their track "Becuz." It's a prime example of their innovative approach to guitar tuning, moving far beyond conventional setups to craft unique sonic landscapes.

Verbal Analysis

The BEGDBB tuning immediately strikes with its deep, resonant character, largely due to the low B on the 6th string, reminiscent of a 7-string guitar. This provides a weighty foundation. The upper register features an intriguing unison between the 1st and 2nd strings, both tuned to B3, creating a thick, ringing drone effect. This duality of a deep bass and a shimmering top end generates a wide sonic spread.

The open strings themselves don't form a simple major or minor triad, but rather a complex, open voicing. Specifically, the notes E3, G3, B3, and D4 from strings 5 through 2 collectively form an E minor 7 chord. When combined with the low B2 (string 6) and the high B3 (string 1), this creates a rich, ambiguous harmony that can be interpreted as an E minor 7 with a B pedal tone, or a more abstract cluster. This makes the tuning ideal for creating sustained drones, feedback-laden textures, and hypnotic, repeating figures rather than traditional chord progressions.

It evokes a sense of sonic depth and controlled dissonance, a hallmark of Sonic Youth's sound. The arrangement makes fingerstyle chords sound full and expansive, while strumming the open strings produces a dense, ringing wall of sound perfect for their signature noise-rock explorations.

Technical Analysis

Comparing to standard EADGBe tuning, BEGDBB presents a significant departure:

• String 6 (Low E): Tuned up from E2 to B2, a full 7 semitones (a perfect 5th). This provides an extremely low fundamental at significantly increased tension.
• String 5 (A): Tuned up from A2 to E3, a full 7 semitones (a perfect 5th).
• String 4 (D): Tuned up from D3 to G3, 5 semitones (a perfect 4th).
• String 3 (G): Tuned up from G3 to D4, a full 7 semitones (a perfect 5th).
• String 2 (B): Remains at B3, no change.
• String 1 (High E): Tuned down from E4 to B3, 5 semitones (a perfect 4th).

The open notes are B2-E3-G3-D4-B3-B3. This intervallic structure features a perfect 4th (B-E), a minor 3rd (E-G), a perfect 4th (G-D), a perfect 5th (D-B), and a unison (B-B). The unique combination of intervals, particularly the stacked E minor 7 (E-G-B-D) from strings 5-2 over the low B, provides a rich, complex harmonic palette. The unison B's on the top two strings create a compelling resonance, enhancing the drone-like qualities.

Chords and Playability

While standard chord shapes are largely impractical or radically altered, this tuning excels in producing unique open and partial voicings. The open strings themselves form a complex chord that resonates beautifully. The inherent E minor 7 (E-G-B-D) from strings 5-2, over the low B, is a powerful open voicing. Players will find themselves exploring new chord shapes, particularly those utilizing open strings for drones and pedal tones. The unison high B's encourage melodic playing that can lean on the sustained quality of the open strings, or create interesting counterpoints. This is a tuning designed for creative exploration rather than conventional song structures, facilitating a wall-of-sound approach and ambient textures.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the BEGDBB tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps with extreme caution, as several strings are tuned significantly higher than standard and may require a heavier gauge to prevent breakage and ensure proper intonation. Tuning up 4 semitones or more, or down 5 semitones or more, generally advises a change in string gauge.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 7 semitones from E2 to B2. Caution: This is a significant increase in tension. A heavier gauge string for the low E is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 7 semitones from A2 to E3. Caution: This is a significant increase in tension. A heavier gauge string for the A string is strongly advised.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 5 semitones from D3 to G3. Caution: This is a notable increase in tension. A heavier gauge string for the D string is advised.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 7 semitones from G3 to D4. Caution: This is a significant increase in tension. A heavier gauge string for the G string is strongly advised.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The B string remains B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. Caution: This is a notable decrease in tension. A heavier gauge string for the high E string is advised to maintain tension and avoid floppiness.

Tuning Notes

• String 6 (lowest): B2
• String 5: E3
• String 4: G3
• String 3: D4
• String 2: B3
• String 1 (highest): B3