The Orkney tuning, as its name suggests, evokes a strong sense of folk tradition and open soundscapes, also finding favor with select alternative rock musicians for its unique resonance. Its structure invites a distinctive playing style, emphasizing drones and open harmonies.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning transforms your guitar into a deeply resonant instrument, centered around the rich tonality of C. The open strings C-G-D-G-D-C create a powerful, drone-like quality, reminiscent of a large, open C major chord with an added D note, giving it a bright, almost modal character. It's particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, where the open strings can ring out freely, and for slide guitar, where barring across the frets effortlessly yields major chords across multiple octaves. The presence of repeated Gs and Ds within the tuning allows for a natural harmonic resonance, making it incredibly satisfying and full-bodied to play. Its unique voicing is a staple in some folk traditions and provides a fresh sonic palette for alternative rock.

Technical Analysis

The Orkney tuning configures the guitar strings to C2-G2-D3-G3-D4-C4 (from low to high). This arrangement provides a robust harmonic foundation built upon C (root), G (perfect fifth), and D (major second/ninth).

• The intervals between strings are primarily perfect fifths and perfect fourths, creating a harmonically stable and resonant framework:
• C2 to G2 (Perfect 5th)
• G2 to D3 (Perfect 5th)
• D3 to G3 (Perfect 4th)
• G3 to D4 (Perfect 5th)
• D4 to C4 (Descending Major 2nd, or ascending Minor 7th)
• When strummed open, the tuning produces a rich C major sound with an inherent D (the 9th), giving it a C(add9) or Cmaj9-like quality without the explicit major third (E).
• This structure makes it exceptionally easy to form major chords by simply barring a single fret across the top five or all six strings (e.g., barring the 2nd fret yields a D major chord). While common chord shapes from standard tuning will need to be re-learned, new, intuitive shapes for open, resonant chords will emerge, particularly for major and suspended voicings based on the root of the barred fret.

Open String Notes:

String 6 (Low E string): C2
String 5 (A string): G2
String 4 (D string): D3
String 3 (G string): G3
String 2 (B string): D4
String 1 (High E string): C4

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-E):

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. (Warning: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. For optimal tone and tension stability, consider using a heavier gauge string for this lowest string.)

• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.

• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.

• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.

• String 2 (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4. (Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones increases string tension. Proceed carefully to avoid string breakage and ensure bridge/neck stability.)

• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. (Warning: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. For optimal tone and tension stability, consider using a heavier gauge string for this string.)