Tuning Overview: Open C6

The tuning provided is named Open C6, which the JSON further describes as a kind of Open C6 tuning (or Csus2) with no third. This immediately signals a versatile and open sound, ideal for a variety of musical styles, particularly those favoring drones, slide guitar, or ambiguous harmony.

Verbal Analysis

Open C6, in this specific iteration, provides a rich, resonant sound where strumming all open strings yields a distinct C-based harmony. The absence of a major or minor third (E or Eb) means the tuning feels neither definitively happy nor sad on its own. Instead, it offers a neutral, somewhat suspended quality, allowing the player to easily imply major, minor, or even suspended chords by simply adding a single note with a fretting finger. It's often favored by blues, folk, and contemporary players for its expansive sonic landscape and ease of creating moving bass lines and melodic phrases over a static harmony. The two lowest strings and the highest string are significantly dropped, creating a deep, resonant foundation and bright, chiming treble.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are C2 G2 D3 G3 A3 C4, from the 6th to the 1st string. Let's break down the intervals relative to C as the root:

• 6th String (C2): Root (C) - an octave lower than the 1st string.
• 5th String (G2): Perfect 5th (G).
• 4th String (D3): Major 2nd (D). This is where the 'Csus2' aspect comes in, as the D replaces the typical E (major 3rd) or Eb (minor 3rd).
• 3rd String (G3): Perfect 5th (G) - an octave higher than the 5th string.
• 2nd String (A3): Major 6th (A). This is the '6' in C6.
• 1st String (C4): Root (C) - an octave higher than the 6th string.

The open strings thus spell out C-G-D-G-A-C. This is technically a C6sus2 chord (C-D-G-A). The open Gs and Cs provide strong drone capabilities, and the open strings themselves form a solid, albeit ambiguous, harmonic foundation. The repetition of G and C across different octaves adds to its fullness and resonance.

Chordal Opportunities

• Open Chord: Strumming all strings yields a powerful C6sus2 chord, perfect for rhythmic accompaniment or starting a piece.
• Slide Guitar: This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for slide playing. Moving a slide up or down the fretboard maintains the internal intervals, allowing for effortless major, minor, or seventh chords by simply sliding a single shape. For example, sliding up two frets produces a D6sus2, four frets for E6sus2, and so on.
• Major/Minor Implication: Because the tuning lacks a third, you can easily imply a C Major chord by fretting an E on any C string (e.g., 2nd fret of the 4th string D to E). Similarly, an Eb (1st fret of the 4th string D) would give a C Minor sound.
• Dominant 7ths: Adding a Bb (e.g., 3rd fret of the 2nd string A) can create a C7sus2 sound, adding bluesy tension.
• G Major/Minor: The presence of multiple Gs and a D makes G major (G-B-D) or G minor (G-Bb-D) chords relatively accessible with minimal fretting, especially on the middle strings.
• Am/F: The A on the 2nd string allows for easy access to related chords like A minor (A-C-E) or F major (F-A-C) by adding the necessary notes.

How to Tune to Open C6 from Standard EADGBe

To achieve the Open C6 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments. Pay close attention to the number of semitones each string needs to be tuned, and consider string gauge advice for significant changes:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. As this involves tuning down 4 semitones, a heavier gauge string is often advised for optimal tension and tone stability, as the string may otherwise feel too loose.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. Similar to the 6th string, considering a heavier gauge string is recommended when tuning down 4 semitones for better tension, intonation, and overall playability.

6th String: C2 (Low E string tuned down 4 semitones)

5th String: G2 (A string tuned down 2 semitones)

4th String: D3 (D string remains unchanged)

3rd String: G3 (G string remains unchanged)

2nd String: A3 (B string tuned down 2 semitones)

1st String: C4 (High E string tuned down 4 semitones)