The "Wahlsteen's Open C# Aeolian" tuning, inspired by Jimmy Wahlsteen's "ITS YOUR FAVORITE," offers a rich, resonant, and deeply expressive sound perfect for fingerstyle, atmospheric compositions, and modal explorations. This tuning deviates significantly from standard EADGBE, creating an open sound that invites creative melodic and harmonic ideas without extensive fretting.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as: C#3, A2, C#4, A3, B3, C#5. This unique arrangement primarily features the notes C#, A, and B, with multiple doublings across the strings.

• Harmonic Structure: When strummed open, these notes (C#, A, B) strongly evoke a C# Aeolian (natural minor) tonality, specifically highlighting the root (C#), minor sixth (A), and minor seventh (B). The presence of three C#s and two As provides a powerful, sustained drone effect, while the single B adds a poignant tension or resolution point. It also bears resemblance to an A major 9 chord with C# in the bass (A C# E B with E omitted and C# as the lowest note), giving it a versatile character.
• Chording Potential:
  • An open strum already provides a full, modal chord, rich in overtones.
  • Barring all strings at a single fret along the neck can quickly yield interesting voicings. For instance, barring at the 2nd fret would produce a D B D B C# D configuration, creating a rich Dmaj9sus4 or Dmaj7(add6, add9) sound.
  • Barring at the 4th fret gives E C# E C# D E, which results in a rich E minor 6/7 chord, often used in jazz and modal music, offering both minor and dominant harmonic possibilities.
  • The abundant open strings lend themselves incredibly well to arpeggiated patterns and drones, making it ideal for expressive fingerstyle pieces where sustained notes and ringing harmonies are desired.
• Playability: The tuning's open quality means that complex harmonies can be achieved with minimal effort, freeing up the fretting hand for melodic lines and intricate embellishments. The specific note choices provide both a melancholic and a soaring quality, depending on the melodic context.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Wahlsteen's Open C# Aeolian" tuning from standard EADGBE, follow these precise string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E2 to C#3.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change from A2 to A2 (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D3 to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3 to A3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change from B3 to B3 (0 semitones).
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E4 to C#5.

6th String: C#3
5th String: A2
4th String: C#4
3rd String: A3
2nd String: B3
1st String: C#5