Verbal Analysis

The C Minor 9th Open Tuning offers a deeply resonant and somewhat melancholic sound, immediately evoking a rich, full harmonic landscape when strummed open. This tuning, built around a C minor 9th chord, is incredibly versatile for various musical styles, from soulful blues and introspective folk to atmospheric world music or even heavier genres seeking a dark, complex texture. It's particularly well-suited for drone-based music, fingerstyle arrangements where the open strings can provide a constant backdrop, or expressive slide guitar playing. The open strings naturally form a C minor 9th chord, making it effortless to achieve this sophisticated harmony. With minimal fretwork, players can easily access C minor, C minor 7th, and C minor 9th voicings, providing a solid foundation for improvisation and composition in the C minor key. The repeated D notes (D3 and D4) add an extra layer of shimmering resonance, while the low C2 and G2 provide a powerful, grounding bass foundation.

Technical Analysis

This tuning features the following notes from low E (string 6) to high E (string 1):

• String 6: C2 (Root)
• String 5: G2 (Perfect 5th above C)
• String 4: D3 (Major 9th above C, or Major 2nd)
• String 3: D4# (Eb4, Minor 10th above C, or Minor 3rd an octave up)
• String 2: A4# (Bb4, Minor 12th above C, or Minor 7th an octave up)
• String 1: D4 (Major 9th above C, an octave up from D3)

How to Tune

To achieve the C Minor 9th Open Tuning from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific string adjustments. Please note that significant changes in pitch (more than 4 semitones up or down) might require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or excessive floppiness.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E to C. This is a considerable drop; consider using a heavier gauge string for better tension and tone. (Movement: -4 semitones)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A to G. (Movement: -2 semitones)
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains D.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones from G to Eb. This is a considerable drop; consider using a heavier gauge string for better tension and tone. (Movement: -4 semitones)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B to Bb. (Movement: -1 semitones)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D. (Movement: -2 semitones)

String 6: C2

String 5: G2

String 4: D3

String 3: D4#

String 2: A4#

String 1: D4