Tuning Analysis: EEEEEAAAUCH tunin

This captivating and highly experimental tuning, named "EEEEEAAAUCH tunin", is designed for an 8-string Guitar, pushing the boundaries of conventional soundscapes. It presents a unique blend of deeply resonant lows and surprisingly complex, often dissonant, higher intervals, suitable for musicians exploring avant-garde, progressive metal, or drone-based styles.

Verbal Description

The overall sonic character of this tuning is one of extreme depth and dramatic tension. The lowest string plummets to a remarkable C1, creating a foundation that is felt as much as it is heard. This deep, rumbling base sets an immediately dark and powerful tone. As you move up the strings, the intervals become highly unconventional, suggesting an emphasis on single-note riffs, ambient textures, or specifically crafted chord voicings rather than traditional strumming. The tuning's name itself, "EEEEEAAAUCH tunin", hints at its unusual nature, perhaps reflecting the wide range of string tension or the surprising sonic output.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 8-string tuning are: C1 - G2# - D2 - G2 - B2 - E3 - B3 - A3 (from lowest to highest string).

• The most striking feature is the extremely low C1 on the 8th string, providing an almost sub-bass resonance.
• Intervals between adjacent strings are highly irregular: an augmented 7th (C1 to G2#), a descending perfect 5th (G2# to D2), a perfect 4th (D2 to G2), a major 3rd (G2 to B2), a perfect 4th (B2 to E3), a perfect 5th (E3 to B3), and a descending major 2nd (B3 to A3).
• The presence of a G2# against D2 creates an augmented 4th (tritone), a notoriously dissonant interval that contributes significantly to the tuning's tension and dark character.
• The highest two strings, B3 and A3, are tuned only a major second apart, but with the A3 being lower. This inverted second creates a tight, almost bending sound when played together, distinct from standard open string harmonies.

Open Chords and Harmonic Possibilities

While the full open tuning presents a complex and somewhat dissonant cluster of notes, it offers unique harmonic opportunities:

• G Major Triad Fragment: The notes D2, G2, and B2 (strings 6, 5, 4) form a G major triad in an open voicing (D-G-B). This suggests that G major-based harmonies or power chords rooted on G or D could be readily explored by selectively playing these strings.
• E Minor / A Sus2 Fragment: The notes E3, B3, and A3 (strings 3, 2, 1) contain the intervals for an E minor triad (E-G-B) if the G were present, or an A sus2 chord (A-B-E). Playing these three strings together produces an A sus2 sound over an E root.
• Deep Resonance: The C1 on the 8th string acts as a profound root, making it ideal for drone-based music or underpinning heavy, slow riffs. Its depth allows for substantial sonic impact even with single notes.
• Avant-garde Voicings: The unconventional intervals encourage exploration of non-diatonic harmonies and clusters. Musicians could intentionally leverage the tritones and close intervals for dissonant effects or to create unique, haunting soundscapes.

This tuning is less about traditional chord shapes and more about crafting specific sonic textures, deep resonant drones, and challenging melodic lines that exploit its wide range and unusual intervallic relationships.

How to Tune to EEEEEAAAUCH tunin

Carefully follow these instructions to set up your 8-string guitar for the EEEEEAAAUCH tunin. Always use a reliable tuner and proceed with caution, especially when tuning strings up significantly.

• String 8 (Lowest): Target Note C1. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 7: Target Note G2#. Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 6: Target Note D2. Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 5: Target Note G2. Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 4: Target Note B2. Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 3: Target Note E3. Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2: Target Note B3. Tune up 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones increases string tension significantly. For optimal performance and to avoid potential string breakage or neck damage, especially if this tuning is regularly used, it is strongly advised to consider a different string gauge (e.g., a lighter gauge for this specific string) to accommodate the increased tension.
• String 1 (Highest): Target Note A3. Tune down 2 semitones.

Always check your instrument's neck relief after making significant tuning changes.