Tuning Overview

The "Easy Gregorian!" tuning is presented as a distinctive approach to guitar, aiming to facilitate the playing of the Ionian scale with consistent shapes across the fretboard, thereby simplifying the exploration of various modes. This tuning significantly drops the overall pitch of the guitar, creating a deep, resonant sound that can evoke a dark, atmospheric, or heavy character suitable for experimental music, soundscaping, or modern takes on modal compositions. Its low register provides a rich sonic foundation, perfect for creating powerful riffs or intricate arpeggios with a unique tonal quality.

Technical Analysis

This tuning transforms the standard E-A-D-G-B-E configuration into a unique C2-F2-B2-E3-A3-D4. Let's examine the intervals between the open strings from lowest to highest:

• 6th string (C2) to 5th string (F2): Perfect 4th
• 5th string (F2) to 4th string (B2): Augmented 4th (Tritone)
• 4th string (B2) to 3rd string (E3): Perfect 4th
• 3rd string (E3) to 2nd string (A3): Perfect 4th
• 2nd string (A3) to 1st string (D4): Perfect 4th

While the tuning description suggests consistent shapes for the Ionian scale across the fretboard, the presence of an Augmented 4th (Tritone) between the 5th and 4th strings (F2 to B2) means that fretboard patterns won't be entirely uniform across all strings like a pure all-fourths tuning. However, the prevalence of Perfect 4ths for most other string pairs still offers a high degree of pattern repetition within groups of strings, which can simplify learning scale and arpeggio shapes and exploring modes within those groupings. This blend creates a unique landscape for melodic and harmonic exploration, offering both familiar fingerings and interesting breaks.

Open Chords and Voicings: The open strings C-F-B-E-A-D, when strummed together, form a complex and somewhat dissonant voicing due to the tritone (F-B) and the absence of clear major/minor triad structures across all strings. This makes traditional open major or minor chords challenging to achieve with a full strum. However, this tuning excels in offering:

• Modal Harmonies: The specific arrangement lends itself well to open, sparse voicings that can underpin modal melodies, particularly fitting for the "Gregorian" theme.
• Power Chords: The consistent P4 intervals (C-F, B-E, E-A, A-D) make two-string power chords (e.g., C5, F5, B5, E5, A5, D5) easily accessible across many string sets, perfect for heavy riffs or driving rhythms.
• Specific Voicings: Partial chords like F major (F-A-C, using strings 5, 2, 6) or D minor (D-F-A, using strings 1, 5, 2) can be readily found, often with open drone strings. The overall low pitch provides a weighty foundation for any chordal work, encouraging a fresh approach to harmony.

  How to Tune

  To achieve the "Easy Gregorian!" tuning, you will be significantly lowering the pitch of all your guitar strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Take care when adjusting string tension and use a reliable tuner. Please note that for strings tuned down 4 semitones, you are approaching the range where a heavier gauge string is often recommended to maintain optimal playability and intonation and prevent string floppiness. Always check your guitar's intonation after making significant tuning changes.

  • 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
  • 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
  • 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
  • 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
  • 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
  • 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.
  
  
  

  Open String Notes

  6th String: C2 (Low E string tuned down 4 semitones)

  5th String: F2 (A string tuned down 4 semitones)

  4th String: B2 (D string tuned down 3 semitones)

  3rd String: E3 (G string tuned down 3 semitones)

  2nd String: A3 (B string tuned down 2 semitones)

  1st String: D4 (High E string tuned down 2 semitones)