The "Leslee's Thoughtful Tuning" offers a truly unique and introspective sonic landscape, perfectly embodying a contemplative yet never depressing feel. As described, it's a sweet and thoughtful sound that lends itself beautifully to improvisation, especially on a classical guitar. It evokes a sense of mindful appreciation, perhaps after a full weekend of activity where one recognizes the fleeting nature of joyful moments. This tuning encourages a reflective playing style, inviting the player to explore nuanced harmonies and open voicings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning deviates significantly from standard EADGBe, establishing a foundation centered around C. The open strings are C2 A2 C3 F3 C4 E4.

Analyzing the intervals from lowest to highest:

• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (A2): A Major 6th (10 semitones).
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (C3): A Minor 3rd (3 semitones).
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (C4): A Perfect 5th (7 semitones).
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (E4): A Major 3rd (4 semitones).

The presence of multiple C notes (C2, C3, C4) provides a strong, resonant core, while the A2, F3, and E4 introduce rich harmonic extensions.

Open Chords and Possibilities

The open strings themselves form a beautiful and complex voicing: C - A - C - F - C - E. This can be interpreted as a Cadd4/6 or C6(add4) chord. It contains the C major triad (C-E), the perfect 4th (F), and the major 6th (A), resulting in a rich, open, and slightly suspended quality. The deep C2 on the lowest string provides a powerful bass foundation.

Due to the resonant C-centric nature, chords related to C major and A minor will likely feel very at home. Moving a single finger to fret string 3 at the second fret (G) would create a Cmaj13 or Cmaj6/9 (C-A-C-G-C-E), offering another lush, extended voicing. The structure of the open tuning also makes barre chords across the fretboard create parallel, extended voicings, providing a consistent harmonic texture as you move up and down. This tuning truly encourages exploration of open voicings and drones, perfectly suiting its contemplative description.

How to Tune

Tuning to Leslee's Thoughtful Tuning involves a mix of lowering and raising strings from standard EADGBe. Please note that generally tuning up or down 3 or 4 semitones requires careful attention to string tension.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. This is a significant drop, so proceed with care.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.

String 6: C2

String 5: A2

String 4: C3

String 3: F3

String 2: C4

String 1: E4