The Open Cmajor9 Tuning

This unique tuning, aptly named Open Cmajor9, transforms your 6-string guitar into a rich harmonic landscape. As the tuning's description suggests, it can be particularly advantageous for guitars with higher action, making complex fretting easier, or for tapping techniques where you build melodies and chords solely with your fretting hand. The overall lower tension from tuning down most strings can also be more forgiving on older instruments or those prone to intonation issues in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis: C2 G2 D3 E3 G3 D4

At its core, this tuning creates an open C major 9 chord spread across all six strings. Let's break down the individual notes and their harmonic function:

• 6th String (C2): The fundamental root note of C, providing a deep, resonant foundation for the entire chord.
• 5th String (G2): The perfect fifth of C, reinforcing the strong C major tonality.
• 4th String (D3): The major ninth (or major second) of C, adding a characteristic open and extended harmonic flavor.
• 3rd String (E3): The major third of C, clearly defining the 'major' quality of the chord.
• 2nd String (G3): Another perfect fifth, providing richness and sustain in the mid-range.
• 1st String (D4): An octave higher major ninth, adding sparkle and clarity to the upper register, echoing the D on the 4th string.

When strummed open, these notes naturally form a complete C major 9 chord (C-E-G-D). This means that a simple barre across any single fret will instantly yield a major 9th chord corresponding to that fret's root note. For example, barring at the 5th fret produces an F major 9 chord. This makes for highly accessible chord progressions and easy transposition. The unique voicing with the doubled D notes offers a full, complex sound that can be particularly inspiring for ambient, fingerstyle, or even rock textures. The relatively close interval between the 3rd (E3) and 2nd (G3) strings (a minor third) also allows for easy bluesy bends and melodic phrasing.

How to Tune Your Guitar for Open Cmajor9

To achieve this rich Open Cmajor9 tuning, you will be adjusting most of your strings downwards from standard EADGBe tuning. Please follow these specific semitone changes carefully:

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop in tension; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tone and playability if this becomes a primary tuning.
• 5th String (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• 4th String (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G to E3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• 2nd String (B to G3): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop in tension; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tone and playability if this becomes a primary tuning.
• 1st String (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

String 6: C2
String 5: G2
String 4: D3
String 3: E3
String 2: G3
String 1: D4