CADGBE Guitar Tuner
CADGBE Major Sixth - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
Description - Major Sixth
The guitar from the cover of Room for Squares is a Novax Expression Solidbody 6 guitar with fanned frets \(for multiscale purposes along different strings\) and is the guitar which Mayer plays on Neon. Neon is the only song from the album that Mayer used this guitar for and he has the guitar tuned uniquely with the low E string dropped to C \(i.e. CADGBe or standard tuning with a low C\). The style employed by Mayer for the piece is noted for the strumming hand only using the thumb and index finger. Whilst performing the song live Mayer is known to play a lengthy introduction before beginning the song.
This unique guitar tuning, famously used by John Mayer on his song "Neon" from the "Room for Squares" album, is specifically tailored for a Novax Expression Solidbody 6 guitar with fanned frets. Mayer notably employs a distinctive strumming technique for "Neon," utilizing only his thumb and index finger. Live performances of the song often feature an extended introduction, showcasing the versatility of this setup.
Technical Analysis
Technically, this tuning is a variation of standard EADGBe, distinguished by a significant drop of the low E string. The full tuning sequence is C-A-D-G-B-e. The low C (C2) provides a deep, resonant foundation, significantly extending the guitar's bass range and opening up possibilities for heavier, more bass-driven riffs. The open strings themselves (C-A-D-G-B-e) do not form a conventional major or minor chord, but the interval between the 6th string (C) and the 5th string (A) creates a major sixth, implying a C6 tonality or an A minor triad with an added C bass. The top three strings (G-B-e) remain in standard tuning, meaning many familiar chord shapes and melodic lines for the higher register are still readily accessible. This blend allows for the preservation of standard melodic capabilities on the higher strings while benefiting from the deep, extended bass range. Power chords rooted on the low C string will be particularly impactful and full-bodied.
How to Tune
To achieve this "Major Sixth" tuning from standard EADGBe (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these steps:
- 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. While possible on standard gauges, for optimal tone, stability, and playability with the lower tension, a heavier gauge string for the low C may be advisable.)
- 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
6th String: C2
5th String: A2
4th String: D3
3rd String: G3
2nd String: B3
1st String: E4
Comments - have your say on CADGBE
Capos for CADGBE
| Capo | Tuning | Name |
|---|---|---|
| -5 | GEADF#B | Eminor11 |
| -4 | G#FA#D#GC | Silent Planet When The End Began |
| -3 | AF#BEG#C# | "Mountain" Tuning |
| -2 | A#GCFAD | A#GCFAD |
| -1 | BG#C#F#A#D# | E Flat Drop A |
| 0 | CADGBE | Major Sixth |
| 1 | C#A#D#G#CF | Nicaragua |
More CADGBE Resources
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Songs tuned to CADGBE
| Artist | Song | Album | Tab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tallest Man Omn Earth | Sparrow and the Medicine | ||
| The Tallest Man On Earth | Sparrow and the Medicine | Shallow Grave | |
| Ed Gerhard | moon river | ||
| Gorillaz | Feels Good Inc bassrhythm fusion | View Tab | |
| Nickelback | Woke Up This Morning | Sweating Bullets 3 | |
| John Mayer | Neon | 2006-05-28: The Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA, USA | |
| Rammstein | Los | 2005-02-27: Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, Budapest, Hungary | View Tab |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs | Y control | Promo Only: Modern Rock Radio, August 2004 | |
| Bob Dylan | Its All Over Now Baby Blue | Guitars Kissing & The Contemporary Fix | |
| Wolf Alice | Swallowtail | My Love Is Cool | |
| Muse | Map of the Problematique | Greatest Hits |
Please use the below form to submit a song for CADGBE that is not already on gtdb.org.
Videos for CADGBE on
Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- 0
- 0
- 0
- 0
- 0
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