The "Bay of Skulls" tuning, famously associated with Sun Kil Moon for their song of the same name from the album "Admiral Fell Promises," presents a deeply resonant and harmonically rich soundscape.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately evokes a moody, introspective atmosphere, perfectly suited for fingerstyle playing or ambient textures. The multiple open C and G notes create a lush, almost drone-like foundation, allowing for sustained harmonics and a full, ringing sound. The presence of both F and B in the open strings introduces a sophisticated harmonic tension, hinting at a jazzy or melancholic quality within its generally open, spacious character. It encourages exploration beyond standard chord shapes, offering unique voicings and melodic possibilities, and is ideal for compositions that benefit from rich, open harmonies and complex overtone series.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as C2 - G2 - C3 - F3 - G3 - B3. This configuration is essentially a C Major 7th chord (C-G-B) with an added F (the 4th or 11th). More precisely, it can be viewed as a Cmaj7add11 tuning.

• The low C (string 6) and middle C (string 4) provide a strong root foundation, while the two Gs (string 5 and string 2) reinforce the dominant fifth.
• The F on string 3 introduces an interesting harmonic color, creating a perfect 4th interval with the C on string 4 and a Major 2nd with the G on string 2.
• The highest string tuned to B forms a Major 7th with the root C, adding a sophisticated, slightly unresolved quality that is characteristic of Major 7th harmonies.

The intervals between the strings (from lowest to highest) are:

• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (G2): Perfect 5th
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (C3): Perfect 4th
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect 4th
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (G3): Major 2nd
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (B3): Major 3rd

This unique spacing opens up a world of possibilities for intricate fingerstyle arrangements and resonant chordal work:

• Open Chord Voicings: The open strings themselves form a rich Cmaj7add11 chord, allowing for immediate access to complex harmonies without fretting. This serves as a versatile home base for melodic and harmonic exploration.
• C-based Chords: Due to the multiple C and G notes, various inversions and extensions of C major, C major 7, and C add 4 chords are easily accessible with minimal finger movement. These can be voiced with great depth and sustain.
• F and G Chords: The presence of open F and G notes makes it easier to construct chords rooted on these notes, often with added extensions or sus harmonies that leverage the open string drones. For example, a partial Fmaj7 (F-C-G) or Gsus4 (G-C-G) could be readily available.
• Droning and Arpeggios: The repeated C and G notes are excellent for creating lush drones or cascading arpeggios that sustain and intertwine, giving a full-bodied sound that fills space beautifully.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard E Standard tuning. Please use a reliable tuner and proceed carefully.

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. (From E2 to C2). Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider a heavier gauge string if this tuning is to be permanent to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. (From A2 to G2).
• String 4 (D to C3): Tune down 2 semitones. (From D3 to C3).
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones. (From G3 to F3).
• String 2 (B to G3): Tune down 4 semitones. (From B3 to G3). Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider a heavier gauge string if this tuning is to be permanent to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 1 (High E to B3): Tune down 5 semitones. (From E4 to B3). Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. Consider a heavier gauge string if this tuning is to be permanent to maintain optimal tension and tone.

String 6: Tuned to C2 (C two octaves below middle C)

String 5: Tuned to G2 (G one octave and a perfect fifth below middle C)

String 4: Tuned to C3 (Middle C)

String 3: Tuned to F3 (F a perfect fourth above middle C)

String 2: Tuned to G3 (G a perfect fifth above middle C)

String 1: Tuned to B3 (B a major seventh above middle C)