Tuning Analysis: CGCGD Modal Cittern

This unique tuning, aptly named CGCGD Modal Cittern, transforms your 5-string instrument into a resonant soundscape. Described as a "C modal tuning for five-string guitar conversion," it emphasizes a deep, drone-like quality, making it ideal for folk, world music, or any genre benefiting from open, sustained harmonies and a strong root presence.

Verbal Observations

The CGCGD tuning creates an incredibly rich and open sound. The open strings themselves form a C suspended 2nd chord (C-G-C-G-D) spread across multiple octaves, or a C major chord with an added 9th (D). This gives it a slightly ethereal, yet powerful, sonic character. The prominent low C and G notes provide a strong fundamental drone, perfect for fingerstyle playing where open strings can ring out, supporting melodies and complex harmonics. The consistent perfect fifths and the strategic perfect fourth create a sound that is both harmonically complete and modally ambiguous, inviting creative exploration.

Technical Analysis

The tuning establishes the following notes from the lowest (String 5) to the highest (String 1): C2-G2-C3-G3-D4.

The intervals between consecutive open strings are:

• String 5 (C2) to String 4 (G2): Perfect 5th (+7 semitones)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (C3): Perfect 4th (+5 semitones)
• String 3 (C3) to String 2 (G3): Perfect 5th (+7 semitones)
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect 5th (+7 semitones)

This configuration is particularly conducive to:

• Open Chords: The open strings provide a full C suspended 2nd chord. Simply barring across certain frets allows for easy voicings of other suspended or power chords. For instance, a simple bar at the 5th fret yields an Fsus2-like chord (F-C-F-C-G).
• Drone Playing: The repeated C and G notes across different octaves create natural drones, making it excellent for modal melodies and improvisations over a sustained tonal center.
• Power Chords: The prevalence of perfect fifth intervals between strings makes two-finger power chords incredibly easy to form by simply fretting two adjacent strings at the same fret.
• Common Chords within Reach: While the open tuning is Csus2/Cadd9, fretting the D string (String 1) at the 2nd fret (E) creates a rich C major chord (C-G-C-G-E). Similarly, moving up the neck, simple shapes can quickly form G major (7th fret bar, then adjust) and F major (5th fret bar, then adjust) with a strong modal flavor.

How to Tune

Achieving the CGCGD Modal Cittern tuning requires significant adjustments from a standard tuning. Please proceed with caution and ensure your instrument can handle the altered string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different gauge string is highly recommended to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• String 5: Tune down 9 semitones to C2. (Significant drop – consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 4: Tune down 7 semitones to G2. (Significant drop – consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 3: Tune down 7 semitones to C3. (Significant drop – consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 2: Tune down 4 semitones to G3. (At the threshold – consider a heavier gauge string.)
• String 1: Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

The open strings for the CGCGD Modal Cittern tuning are as follows (from lowest to highest):

• String 5: C2
• String 4: G2
• String 3: C3
• String 2: G3
• String 1: D4