Tuning Overview: Csus2 (C G D G C C)

This unique 'Csus2 tuning' was notably utilized by Nathan Tom of the San Diego band Tsundere in various compositions. It offers a distinctive sonic landscape, moving far beyond standard guitar tunings to create a rich, open, and often haunting sound.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides an incredibly resonant and full Csus2 chord when strummed open. The low C and G on the 6th and 5th strings lay down a powerful, deep foundation, giving the instrument a much broader sonic range than standard tuning. The open D on the 4th string adds a beautiful, airy suspension to the C chord, creating a sense of openness and potential. The repeating G on the 3rd string reinforces the perfect fifth, while the unison C notes on the 2nd and 1st strings create a shimmering, chorus-like effect on the high end. This tuning is excellent for creating drone-like textures, expansive arpeggios, and heavy, atmospheric riffs. Its open nature makes it highly intuitive for fingerstyle playing, allowing for rich harmonic movement with minimal effort. Chords can often be formed by simply barring across a single fret, yielding sus2 chords in various keys, or by using simple two-finger shapes that would be complex in standard tuning. The open tuning itself is a Csus2 chord, so any bar shape will also yield a sus2 chord. For instance, barring all strings at the 2nd fret will produce a Dsus2 chord.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are as follows:

• 6th String (Low): C2
• 5th String: G2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String (High): C4

Analyzing the intervals, we find a unique structure:

• C2 to G2: Perfect 5th (P5)
• G2 to D3: Perfect 5th (P5)
• D3 to G3: Perfect 4th (P4)
• G3 to C4: Perfect 4th (P4)
• C4 to C4: Unison (P1)

This configuration creates a strong Csus2 sonority (C-G-D) with significant octave and fifth reinforcement. The open strings C-G-D-G-C-C effectively present the root (C), perfect fifth (G), and major second (D) of a C chord. The top two unison C notes provide a unique texture, adding thickness and sustain. This tuning's wide interval spreads in the lower strings and close voicing in the higher strings make it excellent for creating massive, open chord voicings and deep, resonant harmonies, suitable for genres ranging from ambient to post-rock and heavy alternative music.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Csus2 (C G D G C C)

To achieve the Csus2 tuning, you will need to adjust several strings significantly from standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E). Please be mindful of string tension, especially when tuning strings up or making large downward adjustments. For movements exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal tension and prevent string breakage or damage to your guitar.

• 6th String (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones. This is a significant drop, so proceed carefully.
• 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 G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B to C4): Tune up 1 semitone. Always tune up slowly to prevent string breakage.
• 1st String (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones. This is a significant drop, so proceed carefully.