Tuning Analysis: Solid Air C Dominant Sus4 (CGCFBbD)

This unique guitar tuning, which we've named Solid Air C Dominant Sus4, is a captivating and rich sonic landscape. It is technically identified as C G C F Bb D from the lowest to the highest string. As the original description suggests, it's a profound variation, drawing inspiration from tunings like CGCFCD and evoking the spirit of John Martyn's iconic 'Solid Air' era.

Verbal Analysis

Immerse yourself in a world of deep resonance and blues-infused jazz with this tuning. The low C and G provide a robust, droning foundation, while the upper strings add a complex, melancholic yet often soaring quality. It's a tuning that invites open string ringing, creating lush harmonic textures ideal for fingerstyle, atmospheric soundscapes, and expressive lead lines. The flattened seventh (Bb) lends a distinct bluesy and dominant quality, perfect for explorations in the keys of C or F, offering a sound often associated with soulful, introspective compositions, reminiscent of its namesake.

Technical Analysis

The open strings present the following notes from low to high: C2, G2, C3, F3, A#4 (Bb4), D4. Analysed from the root (C), this translates to a Root, Perfect 5th, Octave, Perfect 4th, Minor 7th (flatted 7th), and Major 9th. This harmonic structure forms an open C Dominant 9th Suspended 4th (C9sus4) chord. This gives it a versatile foundation, capable of sounding both unresolved and harmonically rich. The arrangement of the strings allows for strong intervallic relationships, such as the perfect fifth between the 6th (C) and 5th (G) strings, and an octave between the 6th (C) and 4th (C) strings, making powerful open chord voicings easily accessible and providing a solid drone.

Chordal Potential

• Open C9sus4: Strumming all open strings yields a full C Dominant 9th Suspended 4th chord, providing an immediate, complex harmonic richness.
• Cm11 (John Martyn Style): As hinted in the original description, this tuning is perfectly poised to achieve a Cm11 chord (C D Eb F G Bb). By simply fretting the 4th string (C3) at the 3rd fret to produce an Eb3, the tuning immediately transforms to C G Eb F Bb D (if played selectively), which forms a powerful Cm9 with the F and G present, completing the Cm11 sound.
• Drone Chords: The strong C-G-C foundation makes it excellent for sustained drone chords, especially in C major/minor or F major.
• Accessible Minor/Dominant Chords: With minimal fretting, variations of C minor, C dominant 7th, and even F major or F dominant 7th chords become readily available due to the F and Bb notes present in the open tuning. Due to the unique intervals, barre chords will require re-thinking finger positions for optimal voicings.

Tuning Notes (CGCFBbD)

• 6th String (Low E string position): Tunes to C2
• 5th String (A string position): Tunes to G2
• 4th String (D string position): Tunes to C3
• 3rd String (G string position): Tunes to F3
• 2nd String (B string position): Tunes to A#4 (Bb4)
• 1st String (High E string position): Tunes to D4

How to Tune Your Guitar to Solid Air C Dominant Sus4

Please be aware that all strings in this tuning are lowered significantly from standard EADGBe. Exercise caution when adjusting tension, and always use a reliable tuner.

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop. If you plan to keep your guitar in this tuning for extended periods, or if your current strings feel too loose, consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• 5th String (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 4th String (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 3rd String (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 2nd String (B to A#4/Bb4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 1st String (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.