Verbal Analysis

This intriguing tuning, known as 'open cadd9 - alt', transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape, echoing the rich, full-bodied tones often found in alternative folk and ambient music. At its core, it's an Open C tuning, meaning that a simple open strum of all strings will beautifully ring out a Cadd9 chord. The lowest string is tuned to a deep C, providing a powerful and grounding foundation. A unique characteristic of this variation is the doubling of the D note on the two highest strings, creating a shimmering, almost drone-like quality. This gives the tuning a distinctive openness and adds to its expressive potential, making it well-suited for intricate fingerstyle patterns, lush strumming, and sustained, atmospheric sounds. While the original description mentions forgoing the add9 sound for doubled root notes, the actual notes (C G E G D D) clearly embrace the Cadd9, with the D notes acting as the 9th, adding significant harmonic depth.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets your guitar to the notes C2 G2 E3 G3 D4 D4 from the lowest to the highest string. Let's break down the intervals relative to the root C:

• String 6 (C2): The root (Perfect Unison).
• String 5 (G2): A perfect fifth above the root.
• String 4 (E3): A major third above the root.
• String 3 (G3): A perfect fifth, an octave higher than string 5.
• String 2 (D4): A major ninth (or major second) above the root.
• String 1 (D4): A major ninth (or major second) above the root, in unison with string 2.

When all six strings are strummed open, they collectively form a Cadd9 chord (C-E-G-D). The arrangement provides a strong foundation with the low C, reinforced by the doubled Gs and the prominent, shimmering doubled Ds on the highest strings. This creates a very full and resonant chord voicing, rich in harmonic overtones.

Open & Reachable Chords

• Open Strum (Cadd9): The most immediate and satisfying aspect is the lush Cadd9 chord that rings out by simply strumming all open strings (C-G-E-G-D-D). This serves as your harmonic home base.
• Movable Cadd9 Shapes: By barring all six strings at any fret, you can effortlessly transpose this Cadd9 chord up or down the neck. For example, a full barre at the 2nd fret will yield a Dadd9, at the 3rd fret an Ebadd9, and so on. This makes it incredibly versatile for songwriting and improvisation in various keys.
• Root-Fifth Power Chords: On the lower strings, the C2 and G2 (strings 6 and 5) provide an excellent foundation for quick root-fifth power chords. These can be easily moved around the neck for heavy, droning riffs.
• Droning Ninth: The doubled D4 notes on the highest two strings can be used as a constant drone while fretting melodies or chords on the lower strings. This creates a suspended, open quality, particularly effective for ambient textures.
• Partial Chords & Arpeggios: Focusing on specific string groupings can lead to interesting partial chords. For example, strings 6-5-4 (C G E) directly form a C major triad. Experiment with arpeggiating these groupings for melodic variations.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open C (Cadd9) tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E to C2): Tune down 4 semitones.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D to E3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 3 (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B to D4): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Important Tuning Note: Take care when tuning strings, especially when tuning up multiple semitones. Tuning up 3 semitones for String 2 requires attention, as it increases string tension significantly. Always tune slowly and listen carefully to avoid snapping strings. For string movements that exceed 4 semitones (up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised for optimal playability and to prevent excessive stress on your guitar. This tuning does not strictly exceed those thresholds, but general caution for the larger shifts (like String 6 down 4 semitones, or String 2 up 3 semitones) is always recommended.

String 6 (Lowest Pitch): C2

String 5: G2

String 4: E3

String 3: G3

String 2: D4

String 1 (Highest Pitch): D4