Verbal Analysis: The Low and Heavy 'Creed Half Step'

This intriguing tuning, inspired by the 'Creed Half Step' designation, offers a profoundly powerful and resonant soundscape. It's essentially a variation of an Open C# tuning, distinguished by a dramatically dropped 6th string, which lends itself to a heavy, full-bodied sonic character. The arrangement of notes, particularly the repeated C# and G# intervals, makes it exceptionally easy to play robust power chords across multiple strings with minimal effort. This tuning is ideal for genres like hard rock, alternative rock, and metal, where a thick, driving rhythm and expansive, open voicings are desired. The unison tuning of the top two strings (C#5) offers unique possibilities for drone notes, unison bends, or layered melodies, creating a rich, almost symphonic texture when strummed open.

Technical Analysis: Open C# Powerhouse

The 'Creed Half Step Drop C#' tuning sets the guitar's open strings to a low C2-G3#-C4#-G4#-C5#-C5#. Let's break down the intervals and implications:

• The foundation is built upon a C# power chord across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (C2-G3#-C4#), with the 6th string providing an immensely deep C2.
• The 5th string (G3#) forms a compound perfect fifth with the 6th string (C2) (a perfect fifth plus an octave).
• The 4th string (C4#) returns to the root, forming a perfect fourth with the 5th string (G3#).
• The 3rd string (G4#) is a perfect fifth above the 4th string (C4#).
• The 2nd string (C5#) is a perfect fourth above the 3rd string (G4#).
• Most notably, the 1st and 2nd strings are tuned to a unison C5#, creating a thick, harmonically rich top end perfect for powerful lead lines or layered chords.

This tuning strongly emphasizes the C# and G# notes, making open C# power chords (C#5) effortlessly accessible by simply strumming strings like 6-5-4, 5-4-3, 4-3-2, or 3-2-1. The consistent intervals across the middle strings (perfect 4th, perfect 5th, perfect 4th) also facilitate easy movable chord shapes, allowing for quick transitions between power chords up and down the fretboard. While not a true 'major' or 'minor' open tuning, its inherent power chord structure is highly versatile for creating heavy riffs and expansive soundscapes.

How to Tune Your Guitar

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Please proceed with caution, especially with the larger movements, and consider a heavier string gauge for optimal performance and string tension on strings with substantial downward tuning.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones from E2 to C2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for proper tension and intonation.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitones from A3 to G3#.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitones from D4 to C4#.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitones from G4 to G4#.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 2 semitones from B4 to C5#.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E5 to C5#. (Note: Tuning down 3 semitones can also lead to a looser string feel; consider if a slightly heavier gauge is preferred for this string.)

6th String: C2 (Low C)

5th String: G3# (G Sharp)

4th String: C4# (C Sharp)

3rd String: G4# (G Sharp)

2nd String: C5# (C Sharp)

1st String: C5# (High C Sharp)