Verbal Analysis

This is an incredibly unique and aggressive tuning, famously used by Chevelle for their track "Bend the Bracket". It lays down a very deep, resonant foundation with its lowest string tuned to B1, creating a powerful, almost baritone-like presence. The combination of open notes yields a complex, open, and somewhat dissonant character, perfect for heavy rock and alternative metal. It's designed to provide a rich sonic landscape with both driving lows and shimmering, tension-filled highs.

The tuning's structure allows for robust, low-end power chords, while the upper strings offer opportunities for intricate arpeggios and melodic lines with a distinct harmonic flavor. This is not a casual tuning; it's crafted for a specific sound, encouraging creative riffing outside of conventional major/minor frameworks. The substantial string movements required suggest that a dedicated set of strings, possibly a baritone or heavy gauge set, would be highly beneficial for optimal tension and tone, as well as to prevent potential string breakage.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to B1-F#2-B2-E3-G#3-C#4 (low to high).

• The lowest three strings (B1-F#2-B2) form a powerful B5 octave power chord, providing a thick, resonant low end characteristic of heavy music.
• The upper three strings (E3-G#3-C#4) outline an E Major triad (E-G#-B) with the C# adding a Major 6th or 13th tension, or alternatively, a C# minor chord (C#-E-G#) with the G# being the 5th and E the minor 3rd.
• When played together, the full open tuning forms a complex Bsus4add6add9 chord (B, C#, E, F#, G#). This creates a rich, open texture with inherent tension due to the suspended 4th (E) and added 6th (G#) and 9th (C#). It avoids a clear major or minor tonality, lending itself to a more ambiguous, modern sound.
• The interval from the 6th to 5th string is a Perfect 5th (B1 to F#2), and from the 5th to 4th string is a Perfect 4th (F#2 to B2). The 6th and 4th strings are an octave apart (B1-B2), forming a powerful drone.
• The open tuning's inherent harmony provides a unique palette for chord voicings and melodic exploration. Simple inversions or single-finger additions can yield striking results.

Open & Accessible Chords:

• B5 Power Chord: The open 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (B1-F#2-B2) immediately give you a full B5 power chord, ready for heavy riffing.
• E Major (Upper Register): The open 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings (E3-G#3-C#4) clearly outline an E major chord. This allows for contrasting melodic sections or arpeggiated figures over the low B drone.
• Single-Finger Barre Chords: Due to the strong B-F#-B interval on the lower strings, simply barring across the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings at any fret will create movable power chords.
• Sus2 and Sus4 Voicings: The presence of C# (sus2/9th) and E (sus4) as open strings makes it very easy to lean into suspended chord voicings by simply fretting around these notes.

Tuning Notes Overview

The guitar is tuned to the following notes, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st) string:

6th String: B1
5th String: F#2
4th String: B2
3rd String: E3
2nd String: G#3
1st String: C#4

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Chevelle - Bend the Bracket" tuning, please follow these specific string adjustments. Given the extreme semitone movements for all strings, it is highly recommended to consider using a different gauge string set (e.g., a heavier or baritone set) to ensure optimal string tension, intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage.

• 6th String (Low E string equivalent): Tune up 5 semitones to B1. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• 5th String (A string equivalent): Tune down 5 semitones to F#2. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• 4th String (D string equivalent): Tune up 7 semitones to B2. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• 3rd String (G string equivalent): Tune up 7 semitones to E3. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• 2nd String (B string equivalent): Tune down 6 semitones to G#3. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• 1st String (High E string equivalent):): Tune down 6 semitones to C#4. (Note: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)