Verbal Analysis

As the original creator mentions, "Cello Open" is an exploration into darker, resonant open chords. This tuning indeed provides a deep, sonorous foundation, reminiscent of orchestral strings, hence its name. It's excellent for creating rich, sustained drones and open voicings with a melancholic or dramatic feel. The arrangement of notes allows for surprising harmonic depth, especially when strummed openly, making it perfect for ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle pieces, or even heavy, low-end riffs that require a unique tonal character.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to C2 G2 D3 A3 C4 E4, from lowest to highest. When strummed open, these notes form a beautiful and complex C6/9 chord. Specifically, the arrangement contains:

• The root C (String 6, String 2)
• The perfect 5th G (String 5)
• The major 3rd E (String 1)
• The 9th (or 2nd) D (String 4)
• The 6th A (String 3)

The intervals between the lower strings (C-G-D-A) are predominantly perfect fifths (C-G, G-D, D-A), similar to a cello or viola, which contributes significantly to its deep, resonant quality and makes playing power chords or open fifths across these strings very intuitive. The upper strings (A-C-E) then move into a minor third followed by a major third, completing the C major tonality with extensions. This unique blend of fifths and chordal extensions allows for easy access to lush C major-based voicings, while the low C provides a powerful, anchoring bass note. Common chord shapes can be adapted, and simple one or two-finger fretting can yield complex, rich harmonies due to the open strings providing much of the chord's structure. For example, a bar across the 5th fret would yield an F6/9, retaining the open, rich quality.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Cello Open" tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E), follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. (Standard E2 → Target C2) *This is a significant drop; proceed with care to avoid string floppiness and ensure intonation.*
• 5th String (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. (Standard A2 → Target G2)
• 4th String (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). (Standard D3 → Target D3)
• 3rd String (G to A3): Tune up 2 semitones. (Standard G3 → Target A3) *Tuning up strings may increase tension; tune slowly and carefully.*
• 2nd String (B to C4): Tune up 1 semitone. (Standard B3 → Target C4)
• 1st String (High E to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). (Standard E4 → Target E4)

General Tuning Advice: For string movements that exceed 4 semitones (e.g., -5 or +5 semitones), it is generally advisable to consider a different gauge string to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or excessive neck tension.

6th String: C2 (Lowest)

5th String: G2

4th String: D3

3rd String: A3

2nd String: C4

1st String: E4 (Highest)