The "Earth Tone" tuning is a unique and deeply resonant open tuning for the Guitar, designed to evoke a rich, full sound based around the Badd9 chord. Inspired by the Schumann resonance tone of B and incorporating its natural overtones, this tuning creates a harmonically complex yet fundamentally stable sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is conceptualized as an exploration of cosmic harmony, built upon the B note. The intent is to achieve a Badd9 chord in open position by carefully selecting overtones, specifically avoiding the natural A (a flat 7th) in favor of a higher resonance D#. This choice emphasizes the "add9" quality, giving the tuning a bright yet grounded feel. It offers a sonic palette that feels both ancient and expansive, suitable for ambient textures, meditative pieces, or driving riffs that leverage its inherent resonance. The description thoughtfully notes that for those seeking more dissonance, changing the high D# to an A would introduce a flat 7th, hinting at the versatility within this base concept.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this tuning are B1 - F3# - D4# - C5# - B3 - D5# (low to high string). When played open, these notes collectively form a Badd9 chord. Let's break down the intervals relative to the root B:

• String 6 (B1): Root (B) - The lowest octave, providing a strong, foundational bass.
• String 5 (F3#): Perfect Fifth (F#) - Reinforces the B major harmony.
• String 4 (D4#): Major Third (D#) - Clearly defines the B major quality of the chord.
• String 3 (C5#): Major Second / Add9 (C#) - This note contributes the distinctive "add9" character, adding richness and complexity.
• String 2 (B3): Octave (B) - Provides a clear mid-range root.
• String 1 (D5#): Major Third (D#) - A higher octave major third, adding brightness and sparkle to the overall chord voicing.

This arrangement creates a rich, full-bodied Badd9 voicing. Due to the inherent chordal nature of the open strings, simply barring across all strings at any fret will produce an 'add9' chord rooted on that fret's note. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields a Cadd9, at the 2nd fret a C#add9, and so on. This makes it incredibly easy to access a vast array of add9 chords across the fretboard. Furthermore, the interplay of the root, fifth, major third, and major ninth allows for interesting melodic lines and drone effects, particularly leveraging the doubled B and D# notes across different octaves. The distinct interval structure also lends itself well to slide guitar techniques, creating sweeping harmonic washes.

Open String Notes

String 6 (Low E): B1
String 5 (A): F3#
String 4 (D): D4#
String 3 (G): C5#
String 2 (B): B3
String 1 (High E): D5#

How to Tune to Earth Tone

To achieve the "Earth Tone" tuning, adjust your standard EADGBe guitar tuning according to the instructions below. Please proceed with caution, especially with significant string tension changes.

• String 6 (Standard E to B1): Tune down 5 semitones from E2 to B1. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (Standard A to F3#): Tune down 3 semitones from A2. The target note for this string is F3#.
• String 4 (Standard D to D4#): Tune up 1 semitone from D3 to D4#.
• String 3 (Standard G to C5#): Tune up 6 semitones from G3 to C5#. (Note: Tuning up 6 semitones is a very significant increase in tension. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string for this string to avoid breakage or potential damage to your instrument's neck. Proceed with extreme caution.)
• String 2 (Standard B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is B3.
• String 1 (Standard E to D5#): Tune down 1 semitone from E4 to D5#.