This unique guitar tuning, aptly named '1st Inversion Open A', is a creative reinterpretation of the traditional Open A tuning (E, A, E, A, C#, E). Its name originates from the prominent use of C# across multiple strings, which is the major third of an A chord, thereby giving it a characteristic first inversion quality. The tuning's creator specifically uses it in the song 'Canoe' by their band Gather The Corners, featured on the album 'somewhere by the light of the doorway stands a pull to your dormant sway', highlighting its practical application in musical composition.

Technical Analysis & Open Chord Voicings

When played open, the strings produce a rich and resonant voicing based on the A Major chord. The notes, as specified in the tuning, include A, C#, and E spread across various octaves. This configuration provides a full, bright, and harmonically complete sound, making it inherently an A Major tuning. The prominent C# notes across multiple strings (Low E string to C#3, D string to C#4, B string to C#5) give the tuning its distinct 'first inversion' character, even though the lowest actual pitch is A2 on the 5th string. This strategic placement of notes fosters a sense of depth and brightness.

This open A Major tuning makes it exceptionally easy to play major chords by simply barring across the fretboard; for instance, barring all strings at the 5th fret would yield a D Major chord (D, F#, A). The wide spread of notes (from A2 on the 5th string to E4 on the 1st string) provides a great canvas for fingerstyle playing, allowing for a sustained, drone-like quality on the open strings. The emphasis on C# notes also lends itself well to melodic embellishments within the A Major scale. Slide guitarists, in particular, would find this tuning inspiring, as major melodies and chords are effortlessly accessible across the entire neck.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the '1st Inversion Open A' tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these string adjustments:

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

This tuning can be achieved relatively easily with a standard 10-46 gauge set of strings, as confirmed by the tuning's creator. General advice for string tension: When tuning up or down more than 4 semitones, it is generally recommended to consider a different string gauge to ensure optimal playability and string longevity. For this particular tuning, all string adjustments fall within a safe range for standard gauges.

6th String: C#3

5th String: A2

4th String: C#4

3rd String: A3

2nd String: C#5

1st String: E4