Tuning Analysis: Vildhjarta Deep Sea Tuning

This tuning, affectionately named "Vildhjarta Deep Sea Tuning," is a profound and intensely heavy setup for a 7-string guitar, perfectly suited for the crushing, intricate soundscapes of extreme metal. As indicated by its original name, "Vildhjarta måsstadens nationalsång under vatten, second tuning," it's clearly rooted in the unique sonic world of bands like Vildhjarta, known for their "thall" genre and dissonant, low-end driven music. All strings are significantly dropped, creating an incredibly low and dark foundation.

Verbal Analysis

The open strings of this tuning (C1 E1 C2 F2 A#3 D#4 G#4) are engineered for maximum impact and a dense, often unsettling harmonic texture. The presence of such incredibly low notes, particularly the C1 and E1, immediately signals a tuning built for heavy, extended-range riffing where articulation and a menacing presence are key. It deviates significantly from standard tunings, moving away from simple open chords towards complex voicings and single-note lines that exploit the guitar's extended range. The combination of major (C-E) and perfect 4th intervals (C-F, F-Bb, Bb-Eb, Eb-Ab – interpreting A#, D#, G# as Bb, Eb, Ab respectively) creates a blend of familiar and highly dissonant sounds. This provides a rich canvas for creating thick, grinding power chords and chugging rhythms that resonate with a powerful, almost percussive depth. It's not a tuning for strumming cowboy chords; rather, it encourages exploration of dissonant clusters and intricate, low-register patterns.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are as follows:

• String 7: C1
• String 6: E1
• String 5: C2
• String 4: F2
• String 3: A#3 (Bb3)
• String 2: D#4 (Eb4)
• String 1: G#4 (Ab4)

From the lowest string (C1), the intervals stack up in a unique way:

• C1 (Root)
• E1 (Major 3rd from C1)
• C2 (Octave from C1, or Minor 6th from E1)
• F2 (Perfect 4th from C2)
• A#3/Bb3 (Perfect 4th from F2)
• D#4/Eb4 (Perfect 4th from A#3/Bb3)
• G#4/Ab4 (Perfect 4th from D#4/Eb4)

This structure reveals a fascinating blend: a C Major triad (C-E-C) at the very bottom, followed by a series of perfect fourths (F-Bb-Eb-Ab) across the higher strings. This juxtaposition creates a powerful tension, providing both harmonic clarity in the low end and a rich, modal complexity or dissonance in the higher registers. The "tuning_description" itself, "cec", might refer to the initial C-E-C grouping on the lowest strings, highlighting its significance.

Chords and Playability

While standard open chords are not practical or intended for this tuning, several interesting harmonic possibilities emerge:

• Open String Voicings: Playing the 7th, 6th, and 5th strings open (C1 E1 C2) creates a powerful, open C Major sound, albeit in a very low register. This could serve as a resonant foundation for riffs.
• Stacked Fourths: The upper four strings (F2 A#3 D#4 G#4, or F Bb Eb Ab) are tuned in perfect fourths. This is an ideal setup for modern, heavy "chordal" riffing where you can barre across these strings at any fret to create dense, often ambiguous harmonies, popular in progressive metal and jazz fusion. For example, barring these four strings at the 1st fret would yield F# B E A.
• Power Chords: Traditional root-fifth power chord shapes will need adjustment due to the unique intervals. However, two-finger power chords (root-fifth) are easily achievable on any two adjacent strings that are tuned a perfect fifth apart or by skipping a string. The stacked fourths allow for easy two-string power chords by simply moving fingers, e.g., using the 4th and 2nd strings, or 3rd and 1st strings. For massive low-end power, fretting the 7th string (C1) and the 5th string (C2) at the same fret creates octave power chords, which can then be paired with other strings for extended voicings.
• Dissonant Clusters: The inherent clash between the C-E triad and the F-Bb-Eb-Ab stack provides ample opportunity for creating intentionally dissonant, heavy textures by combining notes from different parts of the tuning. This is a hallmark of the "thall" sound.

How to Tune

Given the extreme nature of this downtuning, it is highly recommended to use a significantly heavier gauge of strings to maintain proper tension and intonation. Tuning down more than 4 semitones can lead to very loose strings if standard gauges are used, which can negatively impact playability and tone.

• String 7 (Lowest): Tune down 11 semitones to C1. This is a very significant drop from its typical B2.
• String 6: Tune down 12 semitones to E1. This is a full octave drop from standard E2.
• String 5: Tune down 9 semitones to C2. This is a considerable drop from its standard A2.
• String 4: Tune down 9 semitones to F2. This is a significant drop from its standard D3.
• String 3: Tune down 9 semitones to A#3 (Bb3). This is a substantial drop from its standard G3.
• String 2: Tune down 8 semitones to D#4 (Eb4). This is a major drop from its standard B3.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune down 8 semitones to G#4 (Ab4). This is a considerable drop from its standard E4.

Always tune carefully and check your intonation after such dramatic changes.

String 7 (Lowest): Tuned to C1. This is an extremely low note, providing a deep, resonant foundation for heavy riffs. It's 11 semitones below its standard B2 (for a 7-string).

String 6: Tuned to E1. A full octave below standard E2. This string creates a major third interval with the lowest C1, adding a unique harmonic color in the extreme low end.

String 5: Tuned to C2. An octave above the lowest C1, this note reinforces the fundamental, creating a thick, harmonically rich low-end.

String 4: Tuned to F2. This note establishes a perfect fourth interval with the C2 on the 5th string, beginning a sequence of stacked fourths on the higher strings.

String 3: Tuned to A#3 (Bb3). Continuing the pattern of perfect fourths, this note is a perfect fourth above F2. It's a significant drop from its standard G3.

String 2: Tuned to D#4 (Eb4). Another perfect fourth interval above A#3. This note provides a dark, minor-ish color if considered relative to C.

String 1 (Highest): Tuned to G#4 (Ab4). The highest string completes the stack of perfect fourths, being a perfect fourth above D#4. This provides the highest melodic range in this deep tuning.