Tuning Analysis: Into It. Over It. Anchor

Verbal Analysis

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "Anchor" by the band Into It. Over It., is a captivating departure from conventional tunings. It crafts a rich, often melancholic, and technically intricate soundscape, characteristic of the band's emo and post-rock influences. The most striking feature lies in the profound and resonant low end: the 5th string (A2) is tuned significantly lower than the 6th string (C3#), creating an inverted interval that challenges traditional guitar voicings. This setup encourages the use of spacious open string drones and specific melodic lines rather than relying on standard chord shapes. It lends itself beautifully to shimmering arpeggios, intricate fingerstyle passages, and powerful, resonant chord extensions, offering a distinct harmonic palette for creative exploration.

Technical Analysis

This is a modified drop tuning with a highly unconventional low-end configuration for the Guitar. Starting from standard EADGBe, the tuning resolves to the following open notes from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string: C3# A2 C4# F3 B3 E4.

The pivotal characteristic is the relationship between the lowest two strings: the 5th string is tuned to A2, which is a minor third *below* the 6th string's C3#. This inversion creates a massive, open A major feel when played with the C# on string 4 (A2 C3# C4#), effectively a strong A power chord with a C# in the middle, setting a complex foundation. While not designed for easy traditional major/minor chords, the open strings (A2, C3#, F3, B3, C4#, E4) offer unique voicings. For instance, playing strings 5, 6, and 4 open provides a resonant, expansive A major tonality. The upper strings introduce a blend of perfect and augmented intervals (e.g., F3 and B3 form a tritone), suggesting a tuning well-suited for atmospheric textures, intricate counterpoint, and open voicings that lean into dissonance and sustain, common in post-rock and math-rock genres. The presence of the octave C# notes on strings 6 and 4 provides a strong anchor point despite the overall unique structure.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string:

• String 6 (Low E string): C3#
• String 5 (A string): A2
• String 4 (D string): C4#
• String 3 (G string): F3
• String 2 (B string): B3
• String 1 (High E string): E4

How to Tune to Into It. Over It. Anchor

Achieving this unique tuning requires careful adjustment of several strings from standard EADGBe. Please refer to the instructions below for each string, ensuring you use a reliable tuner:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune this string down 3 semitones from its standard E3 to C3#. (Original: E3 -> Target: C3#). Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate change, ensure your string gauge can handle the slack without buzzing.
• String 5 (A): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2. (Original: A2 -> Target: A2).
• String 4 (D): Tune this string down 1 semitone from its standard D4 to C4#. (Original: D4 -> Target: C4#).
• String 3 (G): Tune this string down 2 semitones from its standard G3 to F3. (Original: G3 -> Target: F3).
• String 2 (B): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at B3. (Original: B3 -> Target: B3).
• String 1 (High E): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at E4. (Original: E4 -> Target: E4).

Always re-check your tuning after making adjustments, as changes in one string can sometimes affect the tension and pitch of others. Enjoy exploring the unique sounds of Into It. Over It.'s "Anchor" tuning!