Tuning Overview: Open Thirds Harmony

This unique guitar tuning transforms your instrument into a rich harmonic soundscape, centered around stacked third intervals for much of its range. It is expertly designed to make complex chords like C Major 7th and G Major 7th accessible in the open position, providing a smooth, "jazzy" foundation with straightforward scale formations.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine achieving lush major 7th chords with minimal effort. With this tuning, you can instantly play C Major, C Major 7th, E Minor, G Major, and G Major 7th simply by strumming the open strings or using very few fingers. This creates an immediate, sophisticated, and distinctly "jazzy" feel. The close voicings, particularly in the lower register, allow for very full and resonant arpeggios and chord melodies. Its structure encourages the exploration of new melodic pathways and makes improvising over these harmony types incredibly intuitive. The bright F# on the highest string adds a shimmering, chiming quality to the overall sound, especially when forming G Major 7th voicings.

Technical Analysis

The tuning follows a consistent pattern of mostly stacked third intervals across its lower five strings:

• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (E2): Major Third (4 semitones)
• String 5 (E2) to String 4 (G2): Minor Third (3 semitones)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (B2): Major Third (4 semitones)
• String 3 (B2) to String 2 (D3): Minor Third (3 semitones)
• String 2 (D3) to String 1 (F4#): Octave + Major Third (16 semitones)

This precise arrangement directly yields a beautiful open Cmaj7 chord (C-E-G-B) on the bottom four strings. Strings 5, 4, and 3 form an open E minor triad (E-G-B), while strings 4, 3, and 2 create an open G major triad (G-B-D). The highest string is tuned to F4#, which, when combined with G2, B2, and D3, forms a compelling G Major 7th chord across strings 4-1. The overall open tuning provides a rich harmonic palette, making it excellent for songwriting, fingerstyle playing, and jazz-influenced compositions.

How to Tune (from Standard E)

Important Note: All strings require significant tuning down from standard E. For optimal performance, proper intonation, and to avoid excessive string tension issues, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set specifically designed for drop tunings when adopting this setup.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 7 semitones to G. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 8 semitones to B. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 9 semitones to D. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 10 semitones to F#. (Consider a heavier gauge string.)

Note: The semitone movements for tuning down are relative to standard E tuning. Always tune slowly and carefully, checking your pitch frequently.

String 6 (lowest pitch): C2

String 5: E2

String 4: G2

String 3: B2

String 2: D3

String 1 (highest pitch): F4#