This unique and evocative guitar tuning, known as Clara's Ghost Tuning, is specifically designed for the song "Clara Rockmore's Ghost". It transforms the standard guitar into an instrument capable of producing a rich, open, and resonant soundscape. The tuning leans heavily into a C tonality, with multiple octaves of C providing a strong, foundational drone, while other notes add a haunting and spacious quality.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a sound that is both grand and intimate, with a deep, earthy bass and shimmering, open trebles. The repeated C notes across different octaves create a powerful, almost symphonic resonance, perfect for arpeggiated figures or sustained chords that ring out. The introduction of the A and D notes adds a touch of melancholic beauty and suspension, preventing the tuning from feeling overly rigid. It's a tuning that encourages open string playing and allows for drone-like qualities, ideal for atmospheric or narrative music. The wide intervallic jumps, particularly the high C on the 3rd string, can lead to interesting melodic possibilities and chord voicings that are often out of reach in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: C2 G2 C3 C4 A3 D4.

• The tuning features a strong C root, appearing as C2 (low E string), C3 (D string), and C4 (G string). This creates a powerful, layered C drone.
• The inclusion of G2 (A string) establishes a perfect fifth, firmly grounding the tuning in a C major or C minor tonality.
• The higher strings introduce A3 (B string) and D4 (high E string). When all open strings are strummed, the notes C, G, A, D are present. This forms a rich C6(add9) chord (C - D - G - A) or a Cmaj13 (no 3rd). This chord is complex and open, offering a modern, expansive sound.
• The interval between the 4th string (C3) and 3rd string (C4) is a full octave, which is unusual and provides a strong, clear harmonic.
• The open tuning itself presents an immediate chord, making it suitable for folk, contemporary classical, or ambient music styles. Chords like C major and G major (with suspended qualities) will be readily available with minimal fretting. Open C, G, and D shapes will feel particularly resonant.

Target Tuning Notes

Here are the target notes for each string in Clara's Ghost Tuning:

String 6 (Low E): C2
String 5 (A): G2
String 4 (D): C3
String 3 (G): C4
String 2 (B): A3
String 1 (High E): D4

How to Tune to Clara's Ghost Tuning

To achieve this tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string as follows. Please take caution with significant tuning changes, as they can affect string tension and potentially require a different string gauge for optimal performance and to prevent string breakage.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. Tuning down 4 semitones approaches the limit for standard gauge strings; consider a heavier gauge if you frequently use this tuning for better tension and tone.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 5 semitones from G3 to C4. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant increase in tension. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised for this string to prevent breakage and potential neck damage.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.