Verbal Description

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "All I Need," was crafted to replicate the intricate piano outro chords from Radiohead's song 'All I Need' on the guitar. It's a highly atmospheric and rich tuning that immediately conjures a specific, ethereal soundscape. The open strings create a complex, extended chord that is both dissonant and beautiful, perfect for ambient textures and sophisticated harmonic voicings. This tuning invites exploration beyond standard chord shapes, encouraging a more melodic and textural approach to playing, ideal for capturing the distinctive mood of its namesake track.

Technical Analysis

Open Tuning Chord

The open strings of this tuning—C2, A2, D3, F#4, B3, D4—form a rich and complex extended chord. When analyzed from the root C, the notes present are C (root), D (major 9th), F# (augmented 11th), A (major 13th), and B (major 7th). The absence of a major or minor third, combined with the presence of the 9th, aligns with the user's description of a Cmaj13#11sus2. This chord is characteristic of modern jazz and progressive rock, offering a lush, open, and slightly dissonant sound. The wide intervals, particularly the C2 on the lowest string and the D4 on the highest, contribute to a vast and resonant sonic landscape.

Chords and Playability

Due to its non-standard construction, "All I Need" tuning makes traditional chord shapes largely unplayable or dramatically altered. However, this is precisely its strength. It encourages fresh harmonic ideas and rewards players who explore drone notes, two- or three-note voicings, and open-string arpeggios. The natural resonance of the open chord provides a fantastic foundation for intricate single-note melodies and atmospheric pad-like sounds. Barre chords will yield unexpected and often beautiful results, while fingerpicking can highlight the individual dissonances and consonances within the chord. Shapes that incorporate the open A, D, and B strings, which remain at standard pitch, can offer familiar anchors amidst the altered low C, F#, and high D.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'All I Need' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E String): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2.
• String 5 (A String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• String 4 (D String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains D3.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 1 semitone from G3 to F#3.
• String 2 (B String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• String 1 (High E String): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

Important Note on String Tension: Tuning the low E string down 4 semitones (to C2) is a significant drop. While possible with standard gauge strings, frequent use or aggressive playing in this range may benefit from a heavier gauge string for the 6th string to maintain optimal tension and tone. All other movements are within a safe range for standard strings.

String 6: C2

String 5: A2

String 4: D3

String 3: F#4

String 2: B3

String 1: D4