Tuning Analysis: Chiasm Open G# Minor 7th

This unique and profoundly low tuning, known by its creator as "Open G#maj7/Chiasm Tuning" and now designated as Chiasm Open G# Minor 7th Tuning, transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape. Originally crafted to simplify a challenging lick in Chaotrope's "Chiasm" by eliminating string-skipping, it unexpectedly revealed a compelling open chord. The tuning's character is dark, powerful, and deeply resonant, achieved by dropping every string significantly below standard pitch.

Technical Breakdown:

The open notes of this tuning are C2-G2-C3-D#4-G#4-C4, from the 6th (low E) to the 1st (high E) string. While the original name refers to a G#maj7, a technical harmonic analysis of these open strings reveals a different but equally compelling structure. If we consider G# as the root, the notes G#-C-D#-G are present (derived from G#4, C4/C3/C2, D#4, G2). This specific combination forms a G# Minor 7th (G#m7) chord. The additional C notes (C2, C3, C4) provide a rich, layered drone, acting as perfect fourths to the G# root, or establishing a powerful low C5 (C-G-C) foundation beneath the G#m7. This creates a complex and deeply resonant voicing.

Chordal Opportunities & Playability:

• Open G#m7 Voicings: With G#, C, D#, and G readily available, full G#m7 voicings and related minor chords become incredibly easy to achieve with minimal fretting, often just by barring across specific strings.
• C Power Chords: The lowest three strings (C2-G2-C3) immediately form a potent C5 power chord, offering a solid foundation for heavy riffs. Shifting this shape up the neck will yield instant power chords.
• Augmented Flavors: The presence of C, D#, and G# also hints at an open C Augmented (C+) triad (C-D#-G#), providing unique, dissonant harmonic options.
• Low-End Resonance: The significantly lowered tension across all strings results in a slacker feel, ideal for powerful, chugging riffs, wide bends, and expressive vibrato often associated with doom, metal, and progressive genres. The sheer depth of the C2 lowest note provides a wall of sound.
• Melodic Ease: As the original description suggests, this tuning is designed to simplify complex licks, allowing for fluid movements and potentially eliminating awkward string skips.

How to Tune Your Guitar:

Caution: This tuning involves significant drops in pitch for all strings. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (down), it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension and prevent potential damage or poor intonation. All strings are tuned down from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note: The target notes listed below are derived directly from applying the semitone movements to standard tuning. These may differ slightly in octave from the specific 'tuning_notes' provided in the JSON, particularly for the 2nd and 3rd strings.

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. (From Standard E2 to C2)
• 5th String (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. (From Standard A2 to G2)
• 4th String (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones. (From Standard D3 to C3)
• 3rd String (G to D#3): Tune down 4 semitones. (From Standard G3 to D#3)
• 2nd String (B to G#3): Tune down 3 semitones. (From Standard B3 to G#3)
• 1st String (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones. (From Standard E4 to C4)

6th String: C2
5th String: G2
4th String: C3
3rd String: D#4
2th String: G#4
1st String: C4