Verbal Analysis:

This intriguing tuning, named "Celtic Step Down" and notably referenced in SKM's track "Elaine," presents an exceptionally wide and unconventional sonic landscape. While its name might suggest a connection to traditional Celtic music, its specific note structure offers a profound departure from typical tunings. It features an extreme range, combining a very deep bass string with unusual mid-range pitches and strikingly high treble notes, creating a rich, resonant, and almost harp-like or piano-like tessitura on the guitar. The non-sequential arrangement of string pitches – for instance, the 5th string is higher than the 4th, and the 2nd string soars dramatically above the 3rd – necessitates a completely fresh approach to playing. This is not a 'basic' Celtic tuning in the conventional sense, but rather an experimental or specialized setup designed for dramatic intervallic leaps and a vast tonal palette, suggesting a focus on open drones, specific melodic patterns, or percussive techniques rather than standard chord shapes.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning notes from low to high are: B1 F3# B2 E3 F5# B3. This configuration establishes a strong B-centric tonality, with the fundamental note B appearing across multiple octaves (B1 on string 6, B2 on string 4, and B3 on string 1). This creates a powerful, resonant drone effect when these strings are played open. The F# notes (F3# on string 5 and F5# on string 2) serve as the perfect fifth of B, strongly reinforcing a B major or minor harmonic context. String 3, tuned to E3, acts as a perfect fourth above B. When all relevant open strings are strummed, the tuning largely forms a **B suspended 4th chord (B-E-F#)**, providing a rich, open, and often melancholic resonance.

The most remarkable technical aspects of this tuning are the extreme intervallic jumps between adjacent strings, which significantly diverge from standard guitar setup:

• From String 6 (B1) to String 5 (F3#), there is an enormous leap of 19 semitones upwards (an octave and a perfect fifth).
• Conversely, from String 5 (F3#) to String 4 (B2), there is a significant descent of 17 semitones downwards (more than an octave).
• Another dramatic ascent occurs from String 3 (E3) to String 2 (F5#), a staggering 24 semitones upwards (two full octaves plus a major second).
• Finally, String 2 (F5#) to String 1 (B3) involves a substantial drop of 17 semitones downwards (more than an octave).

These massive and non-monotonic string intervals render most traditional guitar chord shapes virtually unplayable in their usual forms. The tuning encourages a style of playing that leverages its unique open string voicings, drone capabilities, and the potential for intricate single-note melodic lines that exploit its vast and unusual intervallic structure. The overall range of the tuning, spanning from B1 to F5#, covers over 3.5 octaves, pushing the boundaries of a standard 6-string guitar's typical register and necessitating careful consideration of string gauges and instrument setup.

How to Tune:

Given the extreme nature of this tuning, particular care and potentially specialized string gauges are strongly advised. The following instructions assume standard EADGBe tuning as the starting point:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. This is a substantial drop. For optimal playability and tone, a heavier gauge string is recommended for this position.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F3#. This involves tuning down by 3 semitones. Note that the target note F3# is quite high, suggesting a lighter gauge string might be necessary if starting from a standard A2 string.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2. This is a moderate drop and is generally manageable with standard string gauges.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. This is a moderate drop and is generally manageable with standard string gauges.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 7 semitones to F5#. This is an extreme upward tuning! Tuning a string up by 7 semitones or more can place immense stress on the string, the guitar neck, and the bridge. A significantly lighter gauge string is unequivocally advised to prevent string breakage and potential damage to your instrument. Proceed with extreme caution.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string for this position would likely provide better playability and a more stable tone.