The "C Open Drift" is an exceptionally unique and highly expressive guitar tuning, designed for players eager to explore sonic territories beyond conventional harmony. It lays a profoundly resonant foundation, providing a deep, almost drone-like quality on the lower strings, while introducing fascinating harmonic complexities and an ethereal brightness with its upper register. This tuning is particularly well-suited for ambient soundscapes, experimental compositions, and progressive styles where distinct textures, open voicings, and unexpected melodic paths are desired.

Technical Analysis:

• The open notes for this tuning are: C2 - G2 - D3 - F#4 - B3 - D#5 (from 6th to 1st string).
• The lowest three strings (6th, 5th, and 4th: C2, G2, D3) form a powerful and open bass foundation, tuned in perfect fifths (C-G, G-D). This creates a rich open C5 or Csus2 voicing, ideal for resonant drones or heavy, open chord work.
• A most distinctive feature of this tuning is its re-entrant characteristic between the 3rd and 2nd strings: the 2nd string (B3) is tuned *lower in pitch* than the 3rd string (F#4). This inversion reshapes traditional guitar intervals and opens up an entirely new realm of melodic and harmonic possibilities, requiring a fresh approach to fretboard navigation.
• Analyzing the pitches in ascending order reveals the complexity: C2, G2, D3, B3, F#4, D#5.
• The intervals from the 4th string upward are particularly striking:
  • From D3 (4th) to F#4 (3rd): A Major 3rd (octave displaced).
  • From F#4 (3rd) to B3 (2nd): A Minor 6th downwards.
  • From B3 (2nd) to D#5 (1st): A Major 10th (or Major 3rd if brought to the same octave), providing a bright, soaring top end.
• The overall harmonic content (C, G, D, F#, B, D#) suggests a complex, potentially Lydian-inflected sound due to the F# and B, with the D# adding an augmented quality or a leading tone function. It is not immediately rooted in a simple major or minor key, encouraging non-diatonic exploration.

Potential Open Chords & Voicings:

• Strumming all strings open yields a rich, dissonant, yet captivating chord. It can be interpreted as a complex Cmaj7sus2 with an augmented flavour due to the D# and F#.
• The low C-G-D provides a strong Csus2 or Gsus4 foundation.
• The notes F#4, B3, and D#5 (from the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings) can be re-arranged to form a D# diminished triad (D# F# B), offering interesting harmonic tension and release points.
• Due to the re-entrant nature, conventional chord shapes will require significant re-learning, but this is precisely where the tuning shines, opening up novel voicings and arpeggio patterns that are impossible in standard tuning. It invites a fingerstyle approach to highlight individual string relationships.

How to Tune 'C Open Drift' from Standard EADGBe (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4)

To achieve the 'C Open Drift' tuning (C2-G2-D3-F#4-B3-D#5) from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements carefully. Please note the advice regarding string gauge for significant pitch changes.

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. From standard E2, lower the pitch to C2. Caution: This is a significant drop. For optimal tone and tension, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string for this position.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. From standard A2, lower the pitch to G2.
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at D3.
• String 3 (G to F#4): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard G3, lower the pitch to F#3. Important Note: While the movement is 'down 1 semitone' from G to F#, the target note for this tuning is F#4. This means you will effectively tune it up an entire octave (11 semitones from standard G3, or 12 semitones from F#3). This is a substantial increase in string tension; extreme care is advised, or consider using a much lighter gauge string to prevent breakage.
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• String 1 (High E to D#5): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard E4, lower the pitch to D#4. Important Note: Similar to the 3rd string, while the movement is 'down 1 semitone' from E to D#, the target note for this tuning is D#5. This implies tuning it up an entire octave (11 semitones from standard E4, or 12 semitones from D#4). This is a substantial increase in string tension; extreme care is advised, or consider using a much lighter gauge string to prevent breakage.