Verbal Analysis

The Guitarra Coimbra tuning, named after the traditional Coimbra style for Portuguese guitar, is a deeply resonant and somewhat melancholic tuning perfectly suited for the evocative nature of Fado music. It shifts the standard guitar significantly lower, creating a rich, dark soundscape. The open strings C-G-A-D-G-A provide a unique harmonic foundation that feels both ancient and profoundly expressive. This tuning encourages a playing style focused on drones, arpeggios, and intricate melodic lines rather than conventional chord shapes, allowing the instrument to sing with a distinctive voice. Its low pitch and open intervals contribute to a sense of spaciousness and introspection, making it ideal for the emotional depth required in Fado performances.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to C2-G2-A2-D3-G3-A3 (low to high). Analysing the intervals:

• The lowest two strings, C2 and G2, form a powerful Perfect 5th interval, establishing a strong, resonant bass foundation.
• Subsequent intervals are G2-A2 (Major 2nd), A2-D3 (Perfect 4th), D3-G3 (Perfect 4th), and G3-A3 (Major 2nd).
• The repetition of G and A across different octaves (G2, G3 and A2, A3) creates natural sympathetic resonances and drone possibilities, which are characteristic of traditional folk tunings and enhance the overall sustain and harmonic richness.

While not an immediate 'open chord' tuning in the conventional sense, the open strings (C-G-A-D-G-A) suggest rich harmonic possibilities:

• Strumming all open strings yields a complex, suspended sound. It can be interpreted as a C6/9 chord without the 3rd (E), or an Am7sus4 chord without the 5th (E), emphasizing its modal and open character. This ambiguity allows for diverse harmonic interpretations.
• The lowest two strings (C-G) form a strong C power chord, while strings 5-3-2 (G-D-G) form an open G power chord, offering clear root-fifth support for related harmonies.
• The upper strings (A2-D3-G3-A3) present an interesting cluster of notes (A, D, G) which can easily form an A suspended 4th (Asus4) or a partial G major triad with an added 9th (A), providing bright, ringing overtones.
• Due to the significantly lowered tension on most strings, the sustain and resonance will be enhanced, suitable for fingerstyle and expressive melodic playing, allowing notes to ring out with extended decay.

This tuning's deep pitch and specific intervallic relationships make it an excellent choice for exploring new sonic textures and performing traditional Portuguese Fado music with authenticity and emotional depth.

Open String Notes:

String 6 (Low E): C2

String 5 (A): G2

String 4 (D): A2

String 3 (G): D3

String 2 (B): G3

String 1 (High E): A3

How to Tune:

To achieve the Guitarra Coimbra tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, please follow these instructions carefully. Note that many strings require significant downward tuning, which will result in much lower string tension. When tuning down 4 or more semitones, a different string gauge is strongly advised to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and prevent excessive looseness.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from standard E2 to C2. (Movement of -4 semitones. Consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from standard A2 to G2. (Movement of -2 semitones.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones from standard D3 to A2. (Movement of -5 semitones. A different string gauge is strongly advised.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones from standard G3 to D3. (Movement of -5 semitones. A different string gauge is strongly advised.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones from standard B3 to G3. (Movement of -4 semitones. Consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 7 semitones from standard E4 to A3. (Movement of -7 semitones. A different string gauge is strongly advised.)

Always tune slowly and check your intonation after tuning, especially with such drastic changes in string tension. Adjust your playing technique as the reduced string tension will affect feel and dynamics.