Tuning Analysis: CGCDGC (Third and Seneca)

This unique tuning, popularized for Sun Kil Moon's "Third and Seneca," transforms the guitar into a deeply resonant and harmonically rich instrument, ideal for atmospheric and introspective pieces.

Verbal Description

The CGCDGC tuning creates an immediate sense of spaciousness and depth. When strummed open, the guitar sings out a lush C Major 9th chord, providing a full, shimmering sound that is both melancholic and uplifting. The prominent Cs and Gs across multiple octaves establish a strong, drone-like foundation, perfect for sustained notes and intricate fingerstyle patterns. The inclusion of the D on the 3rd string adds a beautiful, yearning quality, transforming standard major chords into richer add9 or sus2 voicings. This setup makes open position chords incredibly resonant, inviting the player to explore simple barres and partial voicings that yield complex harmonies. It's particularly well-suited for evocative soundscapes, arpeggiated melodies, and expressive dynamics, echoing the contemplative style of the song it's named after.

Due to its open nature, simple shapes become powerful. Barring across the first three or four strings can create rich power chords or major/minor qualities with the characteristic 9th. For example, barring all strings at the 5th fret will yield an Fsus2 chord (F-C-F-G-C-F), while a barre at the 7th fret gives a Gsus2 (G-D-G-A-D-G). This tuning makes drone notes highly effective, allowing melodic lines to weave through a constant harmonic bed.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is primarily an Open C tuning with an added Major 2nd (D) on the 3rd string, resulting in the notes C2-G2-C3-D3-G3-C4. This configuration inherently forms a C Major 9th chord (C-E-G-B-D, excluding the E and B but implying them through the C Major tonality and the D note). The intervals between the open strings are as follows:

• 6th to 5th String: Perfect 5th (C2-G2)
• 5th to 4th String: Perfect 4th (G2-C3)
• 4th to 3rd String: Major 2nd (C3-D3)
• 3rd to 2nd String: Perfect 4th (D3-G3)
• 2nd to 1st String: Perfect 4th (G3-C4)

Compared to standard EADGBe tuning, most strings are significantly lowered in pitch. This considerable drop in tension means that lighter gauge strings may feel too slack, and heavier gauge strings might be advisable to maintain playable tension and intonation, especially for the strings tuned down 4 or 5 semitones.

How to Tune

To achieve the CGCDGC tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is significant; a heavier gauge string may be beneficial to maintain tension and intonation.)
• 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. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is substantial; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal playability and sound.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B to G3. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is significant; a heavier gauge string may be beneficial to maintain tension and intonation.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C4. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is significant; a heavier gauge string may be beneficial to maintain tension and intonation.)

General Caution: When tuning strings down by 4 or more semitones, the string tension can become very loose, potentially affecting playability, tone, and intonation. For sustained use of this tuning, especially for the 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings, experimenting with a heavier gauge set of strings is highly recommended to achieve the best results.

The tuning notes for each string are as follows (from low to high):

• 6th String: C2
• 5th String: G2
• 4th String: C3
• 3rd String: D3
• 2nd String: G3
• 1st String: C4