Ethereal -4: A Deep Dive into Ichika Nito's Unique Sound

The "Ethereal -4" tuning, originally crafted by the innovative guitarist Ichika Nito, is a deeply resonant and harmonically rich alteration from standard guitar tuning. As the name suggests, it conjures an airy, expansive sound often associated with atmospheric and complex musical compositions. This tuning is not for the faint of heart, featuring significant drops across most strings to create a landscape of new sonic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning feels profoundly deep and mellow, creating a wide, open soundstage perfect for fingerstyle and ambient textures. The substantial drops in pitch, particularly on the bass strings, provide a powerful, rumbling low end, while the upper strings offer unique, sometimes dissonant, voicings. The overall feel is one of introspection and complexity, allowing for intricate melodies and rich harmonic clusters that would be impossible in standard tuning. It leans heavily into a modern, progressive sound, ideal for instrumental pieces that prioritize mood and sonic exploration.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for the Ethereal -4 tuning are B1 F2 A2 D3 A3 A#4, from the lowest to highest string. This is a radical departure from standard EADGBe tuning.

• Open Chord Potential: When played open, the lowest four strings (B1 F2 A2 D3) form a clear B minor 7th flat 5 (Bø7) chord (B-D-F-A). This complex, half-diminished sound provides an immediate foundation for sophisticated jazz, fusion, or atmospheric compositions.
• Intervals and Voicings:
  • The interval between the 6th string (B1) and 5th string (F2) is an Augmented 4th (Tritone), a dissonant and evocative interval that creates tension.
  • The 5th (F2) and 4th (A2) strings are a Major 3rd apart, adding a bright element to the lower register.
  • The 4th (A2) and 3rd (D3) strings are a Perfect 4th apart.
  • The 3rd (D3) and 2nd (A3) strings are a Perfect 5th apart, providing a strong, resonant harmonic foundation in the middle range.
  • The 2nd (A3) and 1st (A#4) strings are an Octave plus a Minor 2nd (13 semitones) apart, which is highly dissonant on its own, adding a piercing, leading-tone quality or an intense cluster when played with other notes.
• Reach and Playability: The open Bm7b5 chord on the lower strings opens up new harmonic possibilities, making this chord shape easily accessible across the neck by simply fretting all strings simultaneously. The wide intervals between certain strings, particularly the B1 to F2 and A3 to A#4, will require a period of adjustment for traditional chord shapes, but reward the player with unique voicings and melodic capabilities. Fingerstyle players will find new arpeggio patterns readily available.
• String Tension: Given that all strings are tuned down significantly (many by 5 or 6 semitones), this tuning will result in very low string tension if using a standard gauge set. For optimal playability, intonation, and to avoid string floppiness, a heavier gauge string set is highly recommended, especially for the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 1st strings.

Tuning Notes

String 6 (Low E): B1
String 5 (A): F2
String 4 (D): A2
String 3 (G): D3
String 2 (B): A3
String 1 (High E): A#4

How to Tune

To achieve the Ethereal -4 tuning, follow these specific string adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. *Careful: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.*
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. *Careful: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.*
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. *Careful: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.*
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. *Careful: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.*
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 6 semitones to A#4. *Careful: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.*