Joni - Hejira: A Deeply Resonant Tuning

This distinctive tuning, named Joni - Hejira, is famously associated with the legendary artist Joni Mitchell, who utilized it for the title track of her seminal album, "Hejira." It transforms the guitar into an instrument capable of producing haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and rich, open voicings.

Verbal Analysis

The Hejira tuning creates a deeply resonant and somewhat melancholic sonic palette. With the lowest string tuned to a very deep B1, it provides a powerful, almost bass-like foundation. The presence of two F# notes (F3# and F4#) at different octaves, along with a C# (C4#), forms an open, suspended quality, characteristic of Joni Mitchell's innovative open tunings. This configuration allows for sustained drones and rich harmonic textures, often described as fluid and introspective. The overall slacker tension due to the significant downtuning across multiple strings facilitates expressive bends and wide vibrato, contributing to a truly unique playing experience.

Technical Analysis & Open Chords

The open strings for this tuning are: B1, F3#, C4#, F4#, B3 (from lowest to highest pitch).

• When played open, these notes form a spread-out Bsus2 chord (B - C# - F#). The root (B) is powerfully reinforced by the B1 and B3 strings, while the fifth (F#) is present in two octaves, and the major second (C#) adds an open, ambiguous, and lyrical quality.
• This Bsus2 foundation makes it incredibly easy to imply or resolve to B Major (by adding a D#) or B Minor (by adding a D) with minimal effort, often by fretting a single note on the 3rd string.
• The open fifths and octaves provide excellent opportunities for droning, allowing the player to create a sustained harmonic backdrop for melodic improvisations or intricate fingerstyle patterns.
• The unique intervals between adjacent strings encourage unconventional fingerings and allow for chords with wider voicings and unexpected harmonic tension, leading to a fresh approach to chordal playing.

How to Tune

To achieve the Joni - Hejira tuning, follow these string movements, starting from the lowest string described (String 5) to the highest (String 1).

• String 5: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different string gauge may be advised to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• String 2: Tune down 5 semitones to F#4. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different string gauge may be advised to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 1: Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A different string gauge may be advised to maintain optimal tension and tone.