Verbal & Technical Analysis

The "Tim Eriksen's Frozen Girl Tuning" is a deeply resonant and atmospheric guitar tuning, famously used in the song "Frozen Girl" by Tim Eriksen. This unique tuning deviates significantly from standard EADGBe, creating a sound world rich in open harmonies, drones, and a distinct folk-melancholy. The overall impression is one of depth and spaciousness, with a particular focus on open C and G notes providing a foundational drone.

Technically, the tuning notes are C2 G2 C3 D3 F3 G3, from the lowest to highest string. This configuration is far from a standard open major or minor chord, offering a more suspended and ambiguous harmonic landscape. The lower three strings (C G C) form a powerful open C5 (C power chord), providing a strong, resonant base. The upper strings (D F G) then introduce intricate intervals against this base and amongst themselves. Specifically, from the lowest C:

• 6th String (C2): Root
• 5th String (G2): Perfect 5th
• 4th String (C3): Octave
• 3rd String (D3): Major 2nd (or 9th) relative to C
• 2nd String (F3): Perfect 4th (or 11th) relative to C
• 1st String (G3): Perfect 5th (or 12th) relative to C

When strummed open, the full chord of C-G-C-D-F-G creates a complex harmony that can be interpreted as a C suspended 4th with an added 9th (Csus4(add9)), or more simply, a C root with open and expansive intervals. This lack of a definitive major or minor third in the full open chord provides a versatile, modal quality, ideal for creating atmospheric textures and intricate melodic lines over drone-like backdrops. The close proximity of D and F on the middle strings creates intriguing dissonances and resolutions, particularly against the strong C and G foundation.

Chordal Possibilities: While not a simple open major/minor chord, this tuning encourages unique voicings.

• Open C5/C Octave: The lowest three strings (C G C) immediately provide a rich C power chord, perfect for driving rhythms or resonant drones.
• Suspended & Modal Harmonies: The open strings naturally form suspended chords and modal voicings around C, D, F, and G. By fretting one or two notes, players can easily find C major, C minor, F major, G major, or even D minor shapes, often with open string drones providing unique color.
• Drone Textures: The prevalent C and G notes make it excellent for drone-based music, where melodies can weave above a constant harmonic foundation. This is particularly effective for folk, traditional, and ambient genres.
• Unique Arpeggios: The non-standard intervals between strings invite fresh arpeggio patterns and fingerstyle approaches, breaking free from typical guitar shapes.

How to Tune

This tuning involves significant downward adjustments for all strings. Please proceed carefully and ensure your guitar's neck is stable. For strings tuned down 5 or more semitones, a heavier gauge string set is advised to maintain optimal tension and intonation.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G to D3. (Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string set is advised to maintain optimal tension and intonation.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 6 semitones from B to F3. (Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string set is advised to maintain optimal tension and intonation.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 9 semitones from E to G3. (Caution: This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string set is advised to maintain optimal tension and intonation.)