The Pastoral C6 (no 3rd) tuning, also referenced as "CGCGAC" or "Ugly Duckling" in its original description, offers a deep, resonant, and expansive sound palette perfect for exploring new musical landscapes. This is a truly unique and evocative tuning, well-suited for folk, ambient, or experimental genres, living up to its "Pastoral" moniker with a sound that can feel both ancient and innovative.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C2-G2-C3-G3-A3-C4, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string. This configuration creates an open C chord with an added 6th (A) but notably omits the 3rd (E). Therefore, technically, it functions as a C6(no3) chord (C-G-A). The abundance of C and G notes across different octaves provides a rich, drone-like foundation, offering immense harmonic depth and resonance. The lowest C2 and highest C4 span a wide two-octave range, giving the tuning a full-bodied presence.

Open Chords and Playability

With the open strings themselves forming a powerful C6(no3) sonority, this tuning immediately invites a vast array of musical possibilities.

• Open String Resonance: The natural resonance of the repeated C and G notes creates a beautiful, sustained drone effect, ideal for arpeggiated figures or creating atmospheric soundscapes.
• Root-Fifth Foundation: The lowest three strings (C-G-C) establish a strong root-fifth-octave relationship, making it easy to build powerful, resonant chords with minimal effort, often just by barring a single fret.
• Accessible Chords: Simple one or two-finger shapes can yield interesting results. For instance, a single finger barre across the first few strings can create various voicings. Moving up the neck, barre chords will retain the C6(no3) structure, meaning a barre at the 5th fret would produce an F6(no3) (F-C-F-C-D-F), and at the 7th fret, a G6(no3).
• Modal Exploration: The absence of a major or minor third in the open tuning leaves it harmonically ambiguous yet rich, making it highly versatile for exploring different modes or scales without immediately committing to a specific tonality.

This tuning is an excellent choice for slide guitar due to its open chord structure and resonant nature, and it can inspire unique melodic and harmonic ideas that are difficult to achieve in standard tuning.

Here are the notes for each string, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• String 6 (Low E): Tuned to C2
• String 5 (A): Tuned to G2
• String 4 (D): Tuned to C3
• String 3 (G): Tuned to G3
• String 2 (B): Tuned to A3
• String 1 (High E): Tuned to C4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the Pastoral C6 (no 3rd) tuning, you will need to adjust several strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the significant changes on the 6th and 1st strings. When tuning down significantly, ensure your string gauge is appropriate to maintain good tension and tone.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. Note: A drop of 4 semitones is substantial; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4. Note: A drop of 4 semitones is substantial; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.

Tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down) can significantly alter string tension and may require adjusting to a different string gauge to avoid damage to your guitar or to achieve better playability and intonation.