Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning, popularized by Brazilian guitarist André Cavalcante for his masterclass on the song "Oceans," is a sophisticated and highly specialized arrangement designed for intricate fingerstyle playing. It creates a deep, resonant sonic foundation with its low C2 on the 6th string, immediately setting a rich, atmospheric mood. The tuning’s re-entrant nature, where physically lower strings can produce higher pitches than adjacent strings, allows for a rich tapestry of interwoven melodies and harmonies that defy conventional guitar voicings.

The combination of notes (C2, G#3, D#4, F3, G3, A#4) is not intended for simple strummed chords but rather for creating complex, almost orchestral textures. It evokes a feeling of spaciousness, mystery, and depth, perfectly suited for emotive and nuanced fingerstyle compositions. The presence of augmented and chromatic intervals lends itself to harmonies that are often suspended, dissonant, or jazz-inflected, moving beyond typical major or minor tonalities into a more evocative and modern soundscape.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The tuning from low to high is C2-G#3-D#4-F3-G3-A#4.
• Re-Entrant Structure: A key characteristic is its re-entrant nature. The 4th string (D#4) is pitched higher than both the 3rd string (F3) and the 2nd string (G3). This breaks the typical ascending pitch order of guitar strings, opening up unique melodic and harmonic possibilities. The actual pitch order from lowest to highest is C2, F3, G3, G#3, D#4, A#4.
• Intervals: The intervals between adjacent strings are highly unconventional:
  • String 6 to 5 (C2 to G#3): A major tenth (or augmented fifth + octave).
  • String 5 to 4 (G#3 to D#4): A perfect fifth.
  • String 4 to 3 (D#4 to F3): A descending minor seventh (or ascending augmented second if considered an octave higher), a striking re-entrant jump.
  • String 3 to 2 (F3 to G3): A major second.
  • String 2 to 1 (G3 to A#4): A minor tenth (or minor third + octave).
• Harmonic Content: The open string notes (C, F, G, G#, A#/Bb, D#/Eb) collectively form a complex sonority over a C root. It includes a perfect fourth (F), perfect fifth (G), augmented fifth/minor sixth (G#), minor seventh (A#/Bb), and a minor ninth/augmented root (D#/Eb). This suggests a C7 chord with altered extensions (e.g., C7(#5, b9, 11)) rather than a simple triad, pointing to a sophisticated harmonic palette.

Open Chord Possibilities and Reach

Due to its highly altered and re-entrant nature, this tuning does not lend itself to traditional, easily recognizable open major or minor chords. Instead, it is designed to facilitate specific, often complex, voicings and melodic patterns:

• Drone & Bass: The C2 on the 6th string provides a deep, solid bass note, making it excellent for drone-based compositions or providing a strong root for moving melodic lines.
• Altered Harmonies: The open strings themselves form a rich, often dissonant cluster (C, F, G, G#, A#, D#). This can be utilized for atmospheric textures, jazz voicings, or experimental harmonies that create tension and release in specific ways. Simple strumming will produce a distinctive, complex chord, likely requiring careful melodic interpretation to sound harmonious.
• Fingerstyle Advantages: The re-entrant structure and varied intervals are ideal for fingerstyle, allowing for close voicings and wide melodic stretches with minimal hand movement. The D#4 on the 4th string positioned higher than F3 and G3 means arpeggios across strings will have unexpected note orderings, creating unique melodic contours.
• Cluster Voicings: The tight intervals between F3, G3, and G#3 (on strings 3, 2, and 5 respectively when considering actual pitch) provide opportunities for easy cluster chords or rapid arpeggios that would be challenging in standard tuning.
• Melodic Contours: This tuning is optimized for the specific musical piece it was created for, enabling particular melodic phrases and harmonic shifts unique to Cavalcante's composition "Oceans." Experimentation with sliding shapes up the neck can uncover new altered dominant or diminished chord possibilities.

Open Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Lowest String): C2 (Low C)
• String 5: G#3 (G sharp)
• String 4: D#4 (D sharp)
• String 3: F3 (F)
• String 2: G3 (G)
• String 1 (Highest String): A#4 (A sharp)

How to Tune

Please note that the following instructions describe the movement needed to reach the target notes. Pay close attention to the semitone changes, especially for larger adjustments, as they can significantly impact string tension.

• String 6 (C2): Tune up 1 semitone.
• String 5 (G#3): Tune up 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones (a major third) significantly increases string tension. Consider using a lighter gauge string (e.g., .030 or .028) for this string to prevent breakage and potential stress on your guitar's neck, especially if used frequently.
• String 4 (D#4): Tune up 6 semitones. Extreme Caution: Tuning up 6 semitones (a tritone or augmented fourth) places very high tension on the string. This is a considerable change and it is strongly advised to use a much lighter gauge string (e.g., .020 or .018) for this position. Failure to do so could result in string breakage or even damage to your guitar.
• String 3 (F3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 2 (G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (A#4): Tune down 1 semitone.