Tuning Analysis: Lightning Tuning

The "Lightning Tuning" is described as a beautiful open tuning, discovered while transcribing "Lightning" by Will Paquin. It offers a distinctive harmonic landscape that encourages exploration beyond conventional tunings.

Technical Overview

This tuning, laid out from low to high as B1-F#3-B2-F#4-G#4-D#5, orchestrates a rich and resonant open B Major 6th chord (B - D# - F# - G#) across its open strings. The strategic repetition of B notes (B1, B2) and F# notes (F#3, F#4) across different octaves provides a powerful, sustained drone. The inclusion of G# (the Major 6th) and D# (the Major 3rd) adds a bright, yet subtly melancholic or ethereal quality to the overall sound. The intervals between strings, particularly the octave and fifth relationships interspersed with more unique jumps, create a non-linear sonic texture that can inspire fresh melodic and harmonic ideas, diverging from more typical guitar voicings.

Chords and Playability

The inherent structure of the Lightning Tuning makes several chord types and voicings highly accessible:

• Open Bmaj6: The most obvious starting point, the open strings, immediately present a full B Major 6th chord, making it an excellent foundational harmony for compositions in B Major or related scales.
• Barre Chords: Moving this open chord shape up and down the fretboard is straightforward. By simply barring across all strings at any fret, you can easily transpose the Bmaj6 to other Major 6th chords. For example, a barre at the 1st fret yields a Cmaj6, at the 2nd fret a C#maj6, and so forth. This allows for intuitive key changes and melodic development.
• Harmonic Exploration: The strong root-fifth relationships on the lower strings (B-F#-B-F#) facilitate the easy creation of powerful, ringing chords or drone notes. The higher G# and D# strings can then be utilized for adding color, extensions, or crafting intricate melodic lines over these robust foundations. Experimenting with single-finger drones on specific strings while fretting others will likely reveal interesting arpeggios and unique harmonies.

How to Tune Your Guitar for Lightning Tuning

To achieve the Lightning Tuning, begin from standard EADGBe tuning. Adjust each string as specified below. It is always wise to be mindful of string tension; for movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a change in string gauge is often recommended to maintain playability and string integrity.

• 6th String (Low E): From its standard E2 note, tune down 5 semitones.
• 5th String (A): From its standard A2 note, tune down 3 semitones.
• 4th String (D): From its standard D3 note, tune down 3 semitones.
• 3rd String (G): From its standard G3 note, tune down 1 semitone.
• 2nd String (B): From its standard B3 note, tune down 3 semitones.
• 1st String (High E): From its standard E4 note, tune down 1 semitone.

6th String (Low E): B1
5th String (A): F#3
4th String (D): B2
3rd String (G): F#4
2nd String (B): G#4
1st String (High E): D#5