Aethersan's Open C# Tuning: A Journey into Ambient Soundscapes

This unique guitar tuning, famously utilized by Aethersan in "Wings of Piano," is a captivating blend of deep, resonant lows and shimmering, open highs. It moves far beyond standard tunings to unlock a palette of rich, atmospheric tones perfect for ambient soundscapes, cinematic textures, and intricate arpeggiated melodies.

Verbal Analysis: The Sound and Feel

At its heart, this tuning feels expansive and slightly melancholic, with a foundational depth provided by the low C# string. The top three strings resonate with an open E major chord (E-B-E), offering a bright, familiar anchor amidst the more complex lower register. This juxtaposition creates a dynamic sound, allowing for both soaring melodies and grounded, drone-like accompaniment. The non-standard intervals in the lower strings (C#, A, B) prevent it from sounding like a typical open major or minor tuning, instead inviting exploration of suspended harmonies, dissonances that resolve beautifully, and modal voicings. It's a tuning that encourages a less chord-centric approach and more of a textural, note-by-note discovery.

Technical Analysis: Intervals and Open Chords

The tuning from low to high is C#3-A2-B2-E3-B3-E4.

• The open strings present a unique intervallic structure: C# (root), A (minor 6th above C#), B (major 7th above C#), E (minor 3rd above C#, or a perfect 4th above B), B (octave of the previous B, or perfect 5th above E), E (octave of the previous E).
• When strummed openly, the full tuning (C# A B E B E) creates a complex, rich cluster. While not a conventional major or minor chord, it implies a C# minor 7 (C#-E-G#-B) with an added A, or perhaps a more modal C# Dorian flavor if A and B are seen in relation to E.
• A key feature is the open E Major triad formed by the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings (E3, B3, E4). This provides an immediate and familiar major tonality on the higher register, which can be contrasted or complemented by the deeper, more ambiguous lower strings.

Chords and Voicings within Reach:

• Open E Major: Easily accessible on the top three strings, providing a bright, soaring sound.
• Drone-like Voicings: The unique intervals, especially between the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (C#-A-B), make this tuning excellent for creating sustained drones and pedal tones.
• Movable Power Chords: By fretting the 6th string, you can establish new roots for power chords, utilizing the open 5th or 4th strings to create powerful, resonant voicings.
• Arpeggiated Melodies: The open strings ring beautifully together, making it an ideal tuning for intricate arpeggios that highlight its atmospheric qualities, as likely intended by Aethersan.
• Suspended Chords: The interplay between the B and E strings naturally lends itself to various suspended chord voicings when combined with fretted notes.

How to Tune:

To achieve this unique sound, follow these steps from the standard EADGBe tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3. This transforms your low E into a powerful, deep C#.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your A string remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to B2. This brings your D string down to a resonant B.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. Your G string will become an E, matching the 1st string.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your B string remains at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your high E string remains at E4.

String 6: C#3 (Deep, resonant low C#)

String 5: A2 (Standard A, offering a contrasting tone)

String 4: B2 (Lowered to B, adding a unique interval to the bass)

String 3: E3 (Lowered to E, creating an open E major chord with the top two strings)

String 2: B3 (Standard B, completing the open E major chord)

String 1: E4 (Standard high E, providing a bright, clear top note)