The "Cm add 4" tuning for Guitar plunges your instrument into a deep, resonant soundscape, perfectly suited for genres demanding a powerful, thick, and melancholic low end.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning delivers a rich, dark tonal character, ideal for heavy rock, metal, doom, or any style requiring a robust, atmospheric foundation. Described as "a C tuning along the lines of 'raised E'," it suggests a familiar yet unique approach to low tunings. The inherent minor tonality with the added fourth creates a sound that is both full and slightly dissonant, evoking a sense of depth and introspection.

Technical Analysis

The tuning is set to C2-F2-C3-D#4-G3-C4 (low to high), which can also be understood as C-F-C-Eb-G-C. From the lowest C, the intervals are: Root, Perfect 4th, Octave, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th, Octave. This configuration forms a C minor triad (C-Eb-G) with an added Perfect 4th (F), explaining its "Cm add 4" designation and providing a complex, full sound even on open strings.

Open Chords and Voicings

• Strumming all open strings produces a powerful and rich C minor add 4 chord.
• The lowest three strings (C-F-C) provide a strong, resonant foundation, making it easy to form power chords or drone notes.
• The top four strings (C-Eb-G-C) beautifully outline a C minor chord, allowing for straightforward minor chord voicings.
• The repetition of C notes (strings 6, 4, 1) facilitates easy octave voicings and leads across the neck.

Accessible Chord Shapes

• Power Chords: The consistent drop on most strings makes adapting power chord shapes relatively intuitive. Barring across the lower strings will yield massive, full power chords rooted on C.
• Minor Shapes: Standard minor barre chord shapes can be shifted and adapted, particularly on the higher strings which already form a C minor.
• Octave Riffing: The presence of multiple C notes at different octaves across the fretboard makes creating impactful octave riffs and melodies very accessible.

Important Tuning Considerations

As most strings are tuned down by 4 semitones (a major third) and one by 2 semitones (a whole step) from standard EADGBe, a heavier gauge string set is highly recommended for optimal tension, intonation, and tone. Tuning down this significantly with standard gauge strings may result in a "floppy" feel and poor intonation, particularly for strings 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 which experience the largest drop.

Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Low E): C2
• String 5 (A): F2
• String 4 (D): C3
• String 3 (G): D#4
• String 2 (B): G3
• String 1 (High E): C4

How to Tune

To achieve the Cm add 4 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (from E2): Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• String 5 (from A2): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• String 4 (from D3): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (from G3): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4.
• String 2 (from B3): Tune down 4 semitones to G3.
• String 1 (from E4): Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Important Note: With most strings tuned down by 4 semitones, and one by 2 semitones, it is strongly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set (especially for strings 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 where the drop is 4 semitones) to maintain proper string tension and intonation, and to prevent string floppiness.