Verbal Analysis: Viola Semitone Down

This tuning, aptly named "Viola semi tone down", presents a truly distinctive sonic palette for the guitar, moving far beyond conventional setups. Drawing inspiration from classical Viola tunings with its perfect fifth intervals, it plunges the lowest string to a remarkably deep B1. This creates an exceptionally rich, resonant foundation that provides a powerful backdrop for a variety of musical styles, including blues rock, jazz, and folk, where deep harmonies and clear melodic lines are often desired.

The tuning's description suggests, "Think of playing F#m or A," implying that while these chords might not ring out as open voicings, the altered string tensions and intervals make fretting and articulating them particularly resonant or ergonomically favorable. This setup encourages players to explore new fingerboard patterns and harmonic possibilities, fostering creativity and a fresh perspective on the guitar's capabilities. It allows for both expansive, drone-like soundscapes and intricate melodic passages on the higher strings.

Technical Analysis: Viola Semitone Down

The open strings of the guitar are tuned to B1 - F#3 - C#4 - G#4 - B3 - E4, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string.

• The lowest string (B1) is exceptionally deep, descending a perfect fifth below the standard low E, providing a profound, almost bass-like quality to the instrument.
• A striking characteristic is the prevalence of perfect fifth intervals across the lower strings:
  • String 6 (B1) to String 5 (F#3): An interval of a perfect fifth, spanning two full octaves (31 semitones). This creates a vast and open sound.
  • String 5 (F#3) to String 4 (C#4): A perfect fifth (7 semitones).
  • String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (G#4): A perfect fifth (7 semitones).
  This sequence of perfect fifths on the lower four strings (B-F#-C#-G#) is highly evocative of cello or viola tunings, making two-finger power chords incredibly easy and resonant, and facilitating wide melodic leaps with clarity and sustain.
• The upper register strings introduce different intervals, breaking the perfect fifth pattern:
  • String 3 (G#4) to String 2 (B3): A minor third interval downwards (B3 is lower than G#4). This provides a contrasting melodic and harmonic texture, akin to the third interval in standard tuning but with an altered sequence.
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): A perfect fourth.
  These intervals on the higher strings offer a slightly more familiar territory for conventional chord shapes and lead lines, balancing the expansive nature of the lower register with more accessible upper-voice possibilities.
• Open Chord Voicings & Harmony: The open strings (B1-F#3-C#4-G#4-B3-E4) collectively contain the notes B, C#, E, F#, and G#. This forms a rich, ambiguous, and highly resonant open chord, which could be interpreted as a Bsus4add9(add6) or a B major scale fragment without the third (D#). It provides a strong harmonic base that is neither strictly major nor minor, offering creative freedom.
• Accessible Chords: The presence of F#3, C#4, and E4 in the open strings, as suggested by the prompt to "Think of playing F#m or A," significantly aids in forming these chords. For an F# minor chord (F# A C#), the F#3 and C#4 are already present. For an A major chord (A C# E), the C#4 and E4 are open. This setup minimizes finger stretching for these specific voicings and allows other fingers to add embellishments or chord extensions.

Open String Notes

The guitar strings are tuned to the following notes (from thickest to thinnest):

• String 6 (Lowest): B1
• String 5: F#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: G#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1 (Highest): E4

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Viola semi tone down" tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these precise adjustments for each string, ensuring careful attention to string tension. (Note: These instructions are derived directly from the provided tuning data.)

• String 6 (Low E-string): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Note: A drop of 5 semitones is significant and falls outside the recommended +/- 4 semitones for standard gauge strings. For optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or a floppy feel, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string.
• String 5 (A-string): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4 (D-string): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• String 3 (G-string): Tune up 1 semitone to G#4.
• String 2 (B-string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at B3.
• String 1 (High E-string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at E4.