Verbal Analysis

This tuning, "End of the Affair (Ultimate Guitar)", presents a rich, resonant, and somewhat dark character. The significant drops in the lower strings (C2, F2) create a deep foundation, reminiscent of baritone tunings, while the raised pitch on the 4th and 3rd strings (G3, A#4) introduces tension and brightness, particularly with the very high A#4. The overall sound leans towards a melancholic or dramatic feel, potentially suiting genres like alternative rock, folk, or even film scoring where a unique, open-string drone is desired. The open C7sus4 chord suggests a bluesy or contemporary harmonic palette, ideal for open-string strumming and modal explorations.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are C2-F2-G3-A#4-G3-C4 (low to high).

• Open Chord: When strummed open, these strings form a C7sus4 chord. The notes present are C (root, on 6th and 1st strings), F (perfect 4th, on 5th string), G (perfect 5th, on 4th and 2nd strings), and A# (minor 7th, enharmonically Bb, on 3rd string). This robust voicing provides a complete, suspended dominant sound directly from open strings, offering a strong harmonic base without requiring fretting.
• Interval Relationships:
  • String 6 (C2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect 4th.
  • String 5 (F2) to String 4 (G3): Compound Major 2nd (Octave + M2). This is a large jump, adding brightness.
  • String 4 (G3) to String 3 (A#4): Compound Augmented 2nd (Octave + Aug2) or Compound Minor 3rd (Octave + m3). This is another substantial leap, creating a bright, almost jarring interval.
  • String 3 (A#4) to String 2 (G3): Descending Major 2nd (Octave + M2) - more accurately, a minor 3rd down from A#4 to G3, but also a Major 6th up from G3 to A#4. This inverted interval (G3 is lower than A#4) creates an unusual tension, breaking from typical ascending intervals.
  • String 2 (G3) to String 1 (C4): Perfect 4th.
• Chord Voicings: The open C7sus4 allows for easy transposition by barring across frets. For instance, barring at the 2nd fret would yield a D7sus4, at the 3rd fret an Eb7sus4, and so on. The repetition of C and G notes provides natural drone opportunities. The unique interval between the 3rd (A#4) and 2nd (G3) strings will require players to adapt their chord shapes, but also offers interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities, perhaps for dissonant voicings or specific arpeggio patterns.

How to Tune

Standard guitar tuning is E-A-D-G-B-e (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4).

Here's how to adjust your strings to this tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): Starting from standard E2, tune down 4 semitones to C2. This movement is within typical string gauge limits.
• 5th String (A): Starting from standard A2, tune down 4 semitones to F2. This movement is within typical string gauge limits.
• 4th String (D): Starting from standard D3, tune up 5 semitones to G3. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is beyond the generally recommended limit of 4 semitones. Consider using a slightly thicker gauge string for this position to ensure stability and prevent breakage.
• 3rd String (G): Starting from standard G3, tune up 3 semitones to A#3. Important Note: The target note specified in the tuning configuration for this string is A4#. Achieving A4# from standard G3 would require tuning up a total of 15 semitones (one octave plus 3 semitones). This significantly exceeds the recommended tuning limits (+4 semitones) and would almost certainly require a much lighter gauge string to avoid breakage. Please verify your intended target note, as these instructions are based on tuning up 3 semitones.
• 2nd String (B): Starting from standard B3, tune down 4 semitones to G3. This movement is within typical string gauge limits.
• 1st String (High e): Starting from standard E4, tune down 4 semitones to C4. This movement is within typical string gauge limits.

String 6: C2 (Low C)

String 5: F2 (F an octave below middle C)

String 4: G3 (G below middle C)

String 3: A#4 (A-sharp an octave above middle C)

String 2: G3 (G below middle C)

String 1: C4 (Middle C)