Deep Polvo Drone: A Tuning for Experimental Soundscapes

This unique tuning, taking inspiration from the experimental rock band Polvo, is a bold departure from standard guitar voicings. It's built on a foundation of significantly dropped strings, resulting in a dark, resonant, and often dissonant sonic landscape that invites exploration beyond conventional harmony. The original description hints at its lineage, stating it's a Polvo tuning "tuned down a whole step," suggesting a further plunge into lower registers and unique intervallic relationships.

Verbal Analysis: The most striking feature of Deep Polvo Drone is the extremely low C2 on the 6th string, which serves as a powerful, almost orchestral drone or pedal tone. Above this deep foundation, the remaining five strings (F#3-A#3-F#4-A#4-F#5) form a clear F# Major arpeggio, stacked across two octaves. This creates a fascinating interplay where the fundamental C2 string exists in a sharp, tense tritone relationship with the F# notes above it. This isn't a tuning designed for traditional open major or minor chords; instead, it encourages the use of rich textures, open string ringing, and unique dissonances, perfect for creating atmospheric, heavy, or avant-garde soundscapes.

Technical Analysis:

• Open Notes: The full open tuning reads C2 - F#3 - A#3 - F#4 - A#4 - F#5 (from thickest to thinnest string).
• Intervalic Relationships: While the C2 provides a deep anchor, the F# Major arpeggio across strings 5-1 (Root, Major Third, Octave Root, Major Third, Octave Root) means that barring these five strings at any fret will easily yield transposed F# Major chord shapes. The defining characteristic is the tritone interval (C to F#) between the lowest string and the rest of the open strings, creating a sustained tension ideal for experimental, noise rock, or heavy, droning passages.
• Chordal Possibilities:
  • Open String Strumming: Strumming all six strings open produces a dense, dissonant cluster (C, F#, A#). This can be used for dramatic, unsettling effects or as a backdrop for single-note melodies.
  • Upper Register Chords: Due to the F# Major arpeggio on strings 5-1, barre chords played across these strings will readily form F# Major shapes (transposed depending on the fret). For example, a single finger barring frets 2-5 on strings 5-1 will yield a G# Major chord, built on the F# Major pattern.
  • Drone and Power Chords: The low C string is excellent for deep, rumbling power chords (e.g., C5, C-G) or as a sustained drone. Combining the open C string with higher open F#s or A#s will create intense, unresolved harmonies characteristic of post-rock or avant-garde genres.

This tuning is ideal for artists looking to break free from conventional harmony, favoring texture, resonance, and carefully placed dissonance to forge unique sonic identities.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Lowest): C2 - A profoundly deep, resonant C.
• String 5: F#3 - A bright F sharp, a tritone above the lowest C.
• String 4: A#3 - An A sharp, adding to the upper brightness and forming an F# Major triad.
• String 3: F#4 - An octave higher F sharp from string 5.
• String 2: A#4 - An octave higher A sharp from string 4.
• String 1 (Highest): F#5 - The highest note, completing the F sharp major arpeggio.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Deep Polvo Drone

To achieve this unique tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning. Please be mindful of string tension; for significant tuning changes (generally exceeding 4 semitones up or down), a different string gauge might be advised to prevent damage or ensure optimal playability. The movements for this tuning, however, are generally within common limits.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. This transforms your E2 string into a very deep C2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3. Your A2 string becomes F#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A#3. From D3, this string drops to A#3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4. A slight adjustment from G3 to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4. Your B3 string becomes A#4.
• String 1 (High e): Tune up 2 semitones to F#5. This is an upward adjustment from E4 to F#5, increasing string tension slightly.