Immerse yourself in the eerie soundscape of the Haunted Tuning. As its name and evocative description suggest ("haunted you need it, you need it, you want this awful feeling. you keep me waiting."), this tuning is designed to evoke a deep sense of atmosphere, suspense, and melancholic beauty. It features a unique and wide-ranging interval structure, perfect for creating drones, open, resonant chords, and unsettling sound textures.

Technical Analysis

This 5-string guitar tuning sets the open strings to: B1, F#3, C#4, G#4, C#5.

• The lowest string (String 5) is tuned to a very deep B1, providing a powerful, sub-bass foundation that is an octave lower than the standard E2 on a 6-string guitar. This note will likely require a very heavy gauge string to achieve optimal tension and clarity.
• The intervals between the open strings are particularly striking:
  • Between String 5 (B1) and String 4 (F#3): A massive leap of 31 semitones (2 octaves and a perfect fifth). This vast interval creates a distinct separation and emphasizes the deep resonance of the B1.
  • Between String 4 (F#3) and String 3 (C#4): A perfect fifth (7 semitones).
  • Between String 3 (C#4) and String 2 (G#4): Another perfect fifth (7 semitones).
  • Between String 2 (G#4) and String 1 (C#5): A perfect fourth (5 semitones).

Verbal Analysis & Chordal Possibilities

The sequence of open strings – B1, F#3, C#4, G#4, C#5 – creates a rich, complex harmonic texture. The lowest B1 and F#3 establish a strong B power chord, albeit with a two-octave spread, contributing to its "haunted" character. The upper three strings (C#4, G#4, C#5) form a clear C# power chord, providing a sense of stability and resonance in the higher register.

Overall, the open tuning could be interpreted as a B(add9, add13) or Bmaj13 (no 3rd), featuring the root (B), fifth (F#), ninth (C#), and thirteenth (G#). This combination allows for both resonant open voicings and the creation of lush, extended chords with minimal effort.

Due to the series of perfect fifths (F#-C#-G#) on the middle strings, this tuning is highly conducive to power chords and drone-based riffs. Barring across these strings will instantly produce powerful, harmonically consistent voicings. The overall mood suggests suitability for genres like ambient, doom metal, post-rock, or soundtrack composition, where vast soundscapes and deep emotional resonance are paramount.

How to Tune

Achieving the Haunted Tuning requires careful adjustment of your strings. Note that the lowest B1 string typically requires a significantly heavier gauge than standard to maintain proper tension and intonation. Follow these steps for each string:

• String 5 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Ensure this string is already at B1.
• String 4 (F#3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 3 (C#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (G#4): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 1 (C#5): Tune down 3 semitones.