The "Common C6" tuning is a classic and highly versatile open tuning, particularly renowned in the world of Lap Steel guitar, though perfectly applicable to a standard guitar for unique tonal exploration. This tuning transforms your instrument into an immediate source of rich, full, and complex harmonic landscapes, ideal for styles such as Hawaiian music, Western swing, jazz, and blues.

Verbal Analysis

When strummed open, this tuning immediately presents a bright, resonant C6 chord, imbued with a touch of sophistication from the added B natural. The sound is inherently cheerful and full, providing a strong melodic and harmonic foundation. It's often described as 'sweet' or 'singing' due to its lush intervals. The way the notes are arranged makes it exceptionally easy to create major and minor chords by simply barring across frets, allowing for fluid melodic lines and chordal movements with minimal effort. The presence of the major 7th (B) adds a sophisticated, jazzy color, enabling players to easily voice Cmaj7 or C6/9 type chords.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C2-E2-G3-A3-B3-E4 (from low E to high E string). This arrangement creates a strong C6 chord structure with additional harmonic extensions:

• The lowest three strings (C2, E2, G3) form a clear C Major triad.
• Adding the A3 on the 3rd string completes the C6 chord (C-E-G-A).
• The B3 on the 2nd string introduces a Major 7th, creating a Cmaj7 (add6) voicing, adding a sophisticated jazz flavor.
• The highest string, E4, reinforces the major third of the C chord, providing brightness and harmonic depth.

Chordal Opportunities

Beyond the immediate open C6/Cmaj7, this tuning offers numerous chordal possibilities:

• Major Chords: By simply barring across any fret, you can achieve a major 6th or major 7th chord corresponding to that fret's root note. For instance, barring at the 5th fret yields an F6/Fmaj7 chord.
• Minor Chords: Minor chords are readily accessible. An A minor triad (A-C-E) can be found using the 3rd, 6th, and 5th strings (A3, C2, E2) or 3rd, 6th, and 1st strings (A3, C2, E4). An E minor triad (E-G-B) is available across strings 5, 4, and 2.
• Dominant 7ths: By knowing simple fingerings, dominant 7th chords are also within easy reach, often requiring just one or two fingers in addition to a bar.
• The consistent intervals across strings 6, 5, 4 (C-E-G) and 5, 4, 2 (E-G-B) facilitate easy movement between related chords and arpeggios, making it a highly intuitive tuning for improvisation.

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-E)

Please exercise caution when tuning, especially when making large changes. Tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. This is a significant drop; ensure your string can handle the slack without buzzing.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Caution: This is a substantial change (more than 4 semitones down). Consider a heavier gauge string for better tension and tone.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 5 semitones from D3 to G3. Caution: This is a substantial change (more than 4 semitones up). Consider a lighter gauge string to prevent excessive tension and potential breakage.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3 to A3. Take care when tuning up.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains E4.