Tuning Overview

The "Open Cmadd9" tuning is a distinctive and powerful tuning, originally conceived for progressive rock and metal styles. The creator notes its evolution from an Open Dmadd9 tuning, indicating an intentional shift to a darker, more complex minor tonality. This tuning provides a rich harmonic landscape, making it ideal for creating intricate riffs, expansive soundscapes, and adding a deep, brooding atmosphere to your music.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C2 G2 D3 D4# G3 D4. Analyzing these notes, we find the core elements of a C minor triad with an added 9th, precisely aligning with the "Cmadd9" nomenclature:

• C (Root): Provided by the 6th string (C2).
• G (Perfect Fifth): Found on the 5th string (G2) and 2nd string (G3), reinforcing the root.
• D (Major Ninth): Present on the 4th string (D3) and 1st string (D4), adding harmonic complexity and a modern edge.
• D# (Enharmonic Eb - Minor Third): Located on the 3rd string (D4#). This note is crucial as it defines the minor tonality of the chord.

The complete set of unique notes for the open tuning is C, D, Eb, G, forming a powerful C minor triad with an added 9th (Cmadd9). This structure allows for immediate access to complex minor harmonies without fretting, enabling deep, resonant drones and modal explorations, particularly suited for progressive genres.

Chordal Opportunities

With the open strings forming a Cmadd9 chord, the tuning lends itself exceptionally well to:

• Open Minor 9th Voicings: Simply strumming the open strings produces a rich Cmadd9, perfect for atmospheric intros or sustained chords that immediately establish a dark, complex mood.
• Power Chords: Moving a single finger or a barre across the fretboard will effortlessly create compelling power chords based around the C minor tonality, ideal for heavy riffs.
• Droning Riffs: The repeated G and D notes across different octaves (G2, G3; D3, D4) allow for easy droning effects, emphasizing the perfect fifth and major ninth for added tension and release.
• Modal Play: The inherent minor 9th character opens up avenues for playing in C minor, C Dorian, or C Phrygian modes with a strong, ready-made harmonic foundation.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e). Please refer to the specific instructions below for each string. Due to several strings being tuned down by 4 semitones, it is advisable to consider a heavier string gauge if you plan to keep this tuning for extended periods, to maintain optimal string tension and intonation.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones. The original E2 string becomes C2. (Advisory: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones. The original A2 string becomes G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The original D3 string remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 4 semitones. The original G3 string becomes D#3. (Advisory: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string. Note: The provided 'tuning_notes' specifies a target of D4# for this string. Tuning a standard G3 string to D4# would be an upward adjustment of 8 semitones, which contradicts the instruction to tune down 4 semitones. We are strictly adhering to the 'string_movements' instruction for this tuning guide.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 4 semitones. The original B3 string becomes G3. (Advisory: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones. The original E4 string becomes D4.

Here are the resulting notes for each string in Open Cmadd9, compared to standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e):

• 6th String (Low E): From E2 to C2 (down 4 semitones).
• 5th String (A): From A2 to G2 (down 2 semitones).
• 4th String (D): From D3 to D3 (no change).
• 3rd String (G): From G3 to D4# (up 8 semitones). Note: This target note of D4# from the tuning specification is an upward adjustment of 8 semitones from a standard G3 string. This contradicts the provided 'string_movements' instruction which advises tuning down 4 semitones. Guitarists should be aware of this discrepancy.
• 2nd String (B): From B3 to G3 (down 4 semitones).
• 1st String (High E): From E4 to D4 (down 2 semitones).