Tuning Analysis: C Air Conditioner

The 'C Air Conditioner' tuning, as its name suggests, is an unconventional and highly specialized tuning designed for experimental and heavy genres like Djent. The tuning was reportedly invented by the band Untitled, known for pushing sonic boundaries even before releasing music. It's built for creating a dense, percussive soundscape, potentially a 'djent casserole' of intricate rhythms and thick voicings rather than traditional open chords. Its unique interval structure suggests a focus on specific arpeggios, single-note runs, or two-to-three string power/interval chords, demanding a creative approach from the player.

Technical Overview

The tuning sets the guitar strings to the following notes, from lowest (String 6) to highest (String 1):

• String 6: C#3
• String 5: A2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: A3
• String 1: C#5

This configuration results in a very wide sonic range, spanning almost three octaves, and features highly irregular string relationships compared to standard tunings. Key intervals between adjacent open strings include:

• String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (A2): A Major 3rd (A2 up to C#3).
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (C3): A minor 3rd.
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (D#4): A minor 3rd, with an octave jump.
• String 3 (D#4) to String 2 (A3): A Perfect 5th interval down. This unique drop creates interesting harmonic possibilities.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (C#5): A Major 3rd, with an octave jump.

Open Chords and Voicings Potential

While the overall open strings do not form a single coherent traditional chord, the tuning contains elements that can be creatively leveraged for unique voicings and extended harmony:

• The combination of A2, C3, and C#3 across strings 5, 4, and 6 offers both minor and major third qualities around an 'A' root, allowing for complex harmonic textures.
• The repetition of A and C# notes across different octaves (A2, A3 and C#3, C#5) can create powerful, resonant open voices, particularly for A Major-oriented chords or arpeggios.
• The minor 3rd intervals found between strings (A2-C3, C3-D#4) could facilitate quick, dissonant chord fragments, chromatic melodic movement, or 'power chord' type shapes with a minor third instead of a perfect fifth.
• The significant drop from D#4 to A3 on strings 3-2 (a perfect 5th down) suggests an emphasis on specific fingerings for melodic lines or chord inversions that might be challenging in more standard tunings, opening up new sonic landscapes.
• Consider open dyad possibilities: A2-C3 (strings 5-4) forms an A minor dyad, and A3-C#5 (strings 2-1) forms an A major dyad, hinting at the potential for both major and minor tonalities within the tuning, often presented in different octave registers.

This tuning encourages exploration beyond conventional chord shapes, favoring intricate riffing and harmonic experimentation typical of modern progressive and heavy music.

How to Tune Your Guitar to C Air Conditioner

To achieve the 'C Air Conditioner' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is significant; a different gauge string is advised for optimal performance and string longevity if you plan to use this tuning frequently.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Always use a reliable tuner and check your intonation after significant tuning changes.