The "ANNIE Plus (put capo on fret 3)" tuning, as described by its creator, represents a thoughtful compromise, designed to achieve a specific sonic landscape without risking string breakage. This open tuning offers a unique and resonant foundation for exploration, particularly when combined with the suggested capo at the 3rd fret.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this is a deep and spread-out tuning. Without the capo, the open strings ring out as C-G-D-E-D-A, providing a rich, almost ambient quality. The repetition of the D note on the 4th and 2nd strings creates an interesting resonance, allowing for drone-like qualities and sympathetic vibrations. The wide intervals, particularly between the 3rd and 2nd strings (E3 down to D3), contribute to a very open and spacious sound.

With the recommended capo at the 3rd fret, the *sounding* open notes become Eb-Bb-F-G-F-C. This transposes the entire tuning into a new harmonic context. The lowest three strings (Eb-Bb-F) create a powerful sound with an implied Eb Major or C minor tonality, while the higher strings (G-F-C) hint at a C suspended 4th. This combination allows for a blend of deep, ringing bass tones and shimmering upper voices, making it suitable for introspective fingerstyle pieces, atmospheric soundscapes, or experimental compositions.

Chordal possibilities are abundant due to the open nature. Strumming all six open strings with the capo on the 3rd fret will produce a rich, complex sonority that contains elements of Eb Major, C minor, and F Major, providing a versatile palette. Simple one or two-finger shapes can often unlock lush harmonies, and the repeated F note (originally D) makes it easy to find drone notes for melodic lines.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The tuning itself consists of the notes C2-G2-D3-E3-D3-A3, from lowest to highest string.
• Intervals:
  • 6th to 5th string (C2 to G2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
  • 5th to 4th string (G2 to D3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
  • 4th to 3rd string (D3 to E3): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
  • 3rd to 2nd string (E3 to D3): Descending Major 2nd (2 semitones down, or 10 semitones up)
  • 2nd to 1st string (D3 to A3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• Harmonic Content: The open strings contain the notes C, D, E, G, A. This collection is rich, suggesting a C6/9 chord without an explicit 7th, or elements of A minor/D sus chords. When capoed at the 3rd fret, the sounding notes Eb, Bb, F, G, C contain notes from Eb Major, C minor, and F Major scales, offering a flexible tonal center.
• String Tension: This tuning involves significant drops in pitch for most strings compared to standard tuning, particularly the 2nd string (-9 semitones) and 1st string (-7 semitones). This will result in a much looser feel and lower string tension overall, which can be advantageous for bending and creating new sonic textures.

How to Tune

To achieve the "ANNIE Plus" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. Note: A drop of 4 semitones is significant; a heavier gauge string may offer better tension stability.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 9 semitones from B3 to D3. Caution: This is a substantial drop in pitch. For optimal tone and playability, a much heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 7 semitones from E4 to A3. Caution: This is also a significant drop in pitch. As with the 2nd string, a heavier gauge string is highly recommended for better tension and stability.

Always tune carefully and incrementally to avoid putting undue stress on your guitar neck or strings. When dealing with large pitch changes, checking your guitar's intonation after tuning is also good practice.