The Mystic tuning unveils a unique and ethereal sonic landscape, deviating significantly from standard guitar tunings. This configuration shapes the open strings into a rich, resonant Aadd9 chord, providing a versatile foundation for a variety of musical expressions, particularly those seeking an ambient or contemplative quality.

Verbal Analysis

True to its name, 'Mystic' indeed conjures an enigmatic and atmospheric feel. The open strings, when strummed, immediately form a beautiful A major chord with an added 9th (B), giving it a shimmering, almost bell-like quality. This tuning excels in creating lush, open harmonies, making it ideal for fingerstyle arpeggios, ambient pads, or compositions where the guitar needs to provide a rich harmonic backdrop. The non-linear arrangement of pitches, with the 6th string tuned higher than the 5th and 3rd, creates unexpected intervals and voicings that encourage exploration beyond traditional chord shapes. It invites the player to discover new melodic and harmonic pathways, perfect for inspiring creativity and adding a distinct character to any piece.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: C#3 - A2 - C#4 - E3 - B3 - E4 (from the lowest/thickest string to the highest/thinnest string).
• Harmonic Structure: The open strings predominantly outline an A Major chord (A, C#, E) across various octaves. Specifically, A2 (5th string), C#3 (6th string), E3 (3rd string), C#4 (4th string), and E4 (1st string) establish this strong A major foundation. The B3 (2nd string) acts as an added 9th, creating a complete Aadd9 sonority (A-B-C#-E).
• Pitch Order: When ordered by ascending pitch, the notes are A2, C#3, E3, B3, C#4, E4. This arrangement features interesting interval relationships, including a minor 2nd between B3 and C#4, which can be leveraged for specific harmonic tension or color.
• Open Chord Potential:
  • Strumming all six open strings produces a clear, resonant Aadd9 chord, providing an immediate musical foundation.
  • By simply barring a single fret, you can easily transpose this Aadd9 shape across the fretboard, allowing for quick access to various extended chords. For example, barring the 1st fret would yield a Bbadd9.
  • The dominant A Major and its relative minor, F# minor, voicings are highly accessible and resonant across the open strings due to the strong presence of A, C#, and E.

Open Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Low E String): C#3
• String 5 (A String): A2
• String 4 (D String): C#4
• String 3 (G String): E3
• String 2 (B String): B3
• String 1 (High E String): E4

How to Tune 'Mystic'

To achieve the 'Mystic' tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below:

• String 6: Tune down 3 semitones to reach C#3. (Note: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate adjustment. Always pay attention to string tension.)
• String 5: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at A2.
• String 4: Tune down 1 semitones to reach C#4.
• String 3: Tune down 3 semitones to reach E3. (Note: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate adjustment. Always pay attention to string tension.)
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at B3.
• String 1: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at E4.

Important Note: When tuning a string by more than 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to ensure proper tension and avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument. For this 'Mystic' tuning, all adjustments are within a safe range for standard strings, though careful attention to the 3-semitone drops is recommended for optimal string health and intonation.