Verbal Analysis

This tuning, aptly named "Open C Sus4 Add9," offers a rich, resonant sound with an inherent sense of spaciousness and ambiguity. Moving beyond standard tunings, it creates an inviting sonic landscape that can feel both familiar and refreshingly new. The open strings immediately present a full-bodied suspended 4th chord with an added 9th, giving it a dreamy, open-ended quality. It's truly "nice to hear," as its original description suggests, and could be a fantastic choice for genres that thrive on harmonic exploration and texture, such as progressive jazz, ambient soundscapes, or even heavier alternative and post-rock styles. The absence of a major or minor third in the open chord allows for versatile melodic and harmonic approaches, making it a creative playground for any guitarist.

Technical Analysis

The "Open C Sus4 Add9" tuning sets your Guitar strings to the following notes from low to high: C2-G2-C3-F3-G3-D4.

• The lowest three strings (C2-G2-C3) establish a powerful, open C5 (power chord) foundation, providing a strong anchor for the tuning.
• The 3rd string is tuned to F3, creating a perfect 4th interval above the root C, which is the defining characteristic of a suspended 4th chord.
• The 2nd string (G3) reinforces the perfect 5th, adding to the chord's richness.
• Finally, the 1st string is tuned to D4, a major 9th above the root C, which adds a beautiful, airy extension to the chord.

Collectively, the open strings form a C Sus4(add9) chord.

Open Chords and Shapes

• Open C Sus4(add9): Strumming all strings open immediately gives you this expansive, non-major/minor chord, perfect for creating atmospheric textures or as a foundation for modal melodies.
• Movable Barre Chords: Due to the consistent interval relationships, a single finger barre across all six strings will create a movable suspended 4th (add9) chord. For example, barring at the 5th fret will yield an F Sus4(add9) chord (F-C-F-Bb-C-G). This makes transposing ideas straightforward.
• Power Chords: The C-G-C configuration on the lower strings makes it very easy to play powerful root-fifth-octave chords by simply barring the lower strings at any fret. This provides a strong, driving rhythmic potential.
• Implied Major/Minor: While the open tuning is suspended, you can easily imply major or minor tonalities by adding the 3rd (E or Eb) on the 2nd or 3rd strings. For instance, fretting the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (G) changes the open chord to a C6/9 or Cmaj9(no3rd), depending on interpretation, opening up further harmonic possibilities.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open C Sus4 Add9" tuning, you will need to adjust your standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) as follows:

• 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 2 semitones from G to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B to G3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D4.

Important Note on String Gauge: Please be aware that the 6th string and 2nd string are tuned down 4 semitones each. Generally, when strings are tuned down by 4 semitones or more, or tuned up by 4 semitones or more, a different string gauge may be advised to maintain optimal string tension and intonation, and to prevent the strings from feeling too loose or "floppy." Consider a heavier gauge for these strings if you plan on extended use or aggressive playing in this tuning.