The C Nice Tuning for Guitar lives up to its name, offering a rich and open soundscape. Verbally, this tuning presents a harmonious and inviting quality, as suggested by its original description: "Sounds like it could be used with a lot of open chords." It's designed to make a wide range of chord voicings accessible, particularly those with an open, ringing characteristic. The combination of deep bass notes with a bright, high top string creates a significant dynamic range that can be inspiring for both rhythm and lead playing.

Technically, the tuning is C2 G2 D3 A3 A3 F5#. This is an open tuning with a wide intervallic spread, ranging from a low C2 to a high F5#. The presence of the repeated A3 on both the 3rd and 2nd strings creates a distinct drone effect and adds fullness to the middle register. While not immediately forming a standard open C major or G major triad, the tuning strongly facilitates a D Major triad (D-A-F#) using the 4th, 3rd, and 1st strings (D3, A3, F5#). The C2 and G2 in the bass provide a powerful foundation, potentially suggesting a D major chord played over a C or G bass, or opening up possibilities for modal harmonies, perhaps hinting at a Lydian quality with the F# on top of a C bass. This unique arrangement is conducive for crafting distinctive melodic lines, arpeggios, and percussive rhythms that resonate beautifully across the fretboard.

Here are the notes for each string in the C Nice Tuning:

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): C2 (A low, resonant C note, providing a deep foundation for the tuning.)
• String 5 (A Equivalent): G2 (A solid G note, creating a strong fifth interval with the low C.)
• String 4 (D Equivalent): D3 (A clear D note, forming a strong melodic and harmonic anchor in the middle register.)
• String 3 (G Equivalent): A3 (An A note, creating interesting harmonic relationships with the D and G below it.)
• String 2 (B Equivalent): A3 (A unison A note with the 3rd string, providing a rich, ringing quality and adding thickness to the texture.)
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): F5# (A bright, high F sharp, adding sparkle and tension, and completing potential major triads like D major.)

How to Tune:

To achieve the C Nice Tuning, please adjust your guitar's strings as follows. Always use a tuner for accuracy and exercise caution, especially when tuning strings significantly up or down.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. This is a significant drop, bringing the string to the edge of the recommended range for standard gauge strings.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 2 semitones to F5#.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings more than 4 semitones up or down (either negative 4 or positive 4 semitones or beyond), it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to prevent damage to the string or instrument, and to ensure optimal tone and playability. The 6th string in this tuning, being tuned down 4 semitones, is at the limit of this recommendation. If you plan to keep your guitar in this tuning for extended periods, a slightly heavier gauge for the lowest string might be beneficial, and ensure your guitar's setup can handle the altered string tension.