This unique guitar tuning, meticulously arranged by Kent Nishimura for the song "Just Once," presents a deeply resonant and intricate soundscape. It is a highly re-entrant tuning, meaning the open strings are not ordered strictly from low to high pitch, which creates surprising harmonic possibilities and completely reimagines traditional chord voicings. The overall range is exceptionally wide, spanning from a powerful low B1 to a bright high C#5, offering a rich sonic palette for exploration.

Technically, the open string notes from lowest to highest pitch are B1, E3, F#3, B3, C#4, C#5, which are arranged across the strings from thickest to thinnest as B1 (6th), F#3 (5th), C#4 (4th), E3 (3rd), B3 (2nd), C#5 (1st).

Technical Analysis:

• The lowest note, B1 (6th string), provides a powerful, almost bass-like foundation for the tuning.
• The leap from the 6th string (B1) to the 5th string (F#3) is an interval of an octave and a tritone (18 semitones), creating a significant jump in pitch and contributing to an open, expansive sound.
• The 5th (F#3) to 4th (C#4) strings form a perfect fifth (F# to C#), a stable and harmonious interval.
• The re-entrant nature is most evident between the 4th (C#4) and 3rd (E3) strings, where the 3rd string is a minor seventh lower than the 4th. This places E3 below C#4, allowing for unique arpeggios and voicings not typically found in standard tuning.
• The 3rd (E3) to 2nd (B3) strings form another perfect fifth (E to B), adding to the consonance in the middle register.
• The 2nd (B3) to 1st (C#5) strings create a wide interval of an octave and a minor second (B to C#), offering a bright, chiming high register that complements the deep low end.

Chordal Possibilities:

Due to its re-entrant nature and wide intervals, this tuning is likely optimized for specific fingerpicking patterns and melodic lines rather than traditional strummed chords. However, the open strings offer unique harmonic textures:

• Playing just the 6th, 5th, and 2nd strings (B1, F#3, B3) yields a robust open B5 power chord.
• Including the 3rd string (E3) with the above (B1, F#3, E3, B3) forms an interesting Bsus4 chord (E is the 4th of B).
• The full open tuning notes (B, F#, C#, E, B, C#) collectively form a complex Bsus4add9 sonority (Root, 5th, 9th, 4th, Octave, Octave + 9th). This makes for a rich, drone-like backdrop for melodic exploration.

Barre chords on higher frets will necessitate entirely new fingerings, but the open string intervals provide a strong harmonic foundation that can be exploited for unique voicings and extended harmonies.

The final open string notes for this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string, are:

• 6th String: B1 (Low B)
• 5th String: F#3 (F sharp)
• 4th String: C#4 (C sharp)
• 3rd String: E3 (E)
• 2nd String: B3 (B)
• 1st String: C#5 (High C sharp)

How to Tune

To achieve Kent Nishimura's "Just Once" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) and carefully adjust your strings as follows. Please take note of the significant tension changes, especially for larger movements, where a different string gauge might be recommended. Where the target note differs in octave from the direct semitone movement, ensure you tune to the specified target note.

• 6th String (Low E, E2): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch (-5 semitones), which might require a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• 5th String (A, A2): Tune down 3 semitones. While a direct 3-semitone drop from A2 would typically result in F#2, the target note for this tuning is F#3. Ensure you tune to F#3.
• 4th String (D, D3): Tune down 1 semitone. While a direct 1-semitone drop from D3 would typically result in C#3, the target note for this tuning is C#4. Ensure you tune to C#4.
• 3rd String (G, G3): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B, B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• 1st String (High E, E4): Tune down 3 semitones. While a direct 3-semitone drop from E4 would typically result in C#4, the target note for this tuning is C#5. Ensure you tune to C#5.