Klasykl Tuning: A Composer's Canvas

The "Klasykl" tuning, as described by its creator, is a custom tuning "to compose, made it up." This truly encapsulates its unique and unconventional nature, making it an exciting canvas for musical exploration. It moves significantly away from standard guitar tuning, offering a distinctive sonic landscape ideal for creative composition and pushing the boundaries of traditional guitar voicings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning presents the open strings for your Guitar as follows, from lowest to highest pitch:

• 6th String (Low E): C#3
• 5th String (A): A2
• 4th String (D): C#4
• 3rd String (G): F#4
• 2nd String (B): B3
• 1st String (High e): E4

When played open, these notes collectively form an A Major 6/9 chord (A, C#, E, F#, B). This imbues the open strings with a rich, bright, and slightly jazzy or suspended quality, moving beyond a simple major triad. The presence of two C# notes (C#3 and C#4) and an A in the bass strongly anchors the tuning in A Major, while the F# and B add color and complexity.

The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly noteworthy and contribute significantly to its unique character:

• 6th String (C#3) to 5th String (A2): Down a minor third.
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (C#4): Up an octave and a major third. This is a very wide jump, creating interesting harmonic possibilities.
• 4th String (C#4) to 3rd String (F#4): Up a perfect fourth.
• 3rd String (F#4) to 2nd String (B3): Down a perfect fifth. Another substantial leap.
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (E4): Up a perfect fourth.

Due to these unconventional intervals, traditional chord shapes will require significant re-learning and adaptation. However, the tuning lends itself beautifully to open-string drone playing, arpeggiated melodies, and exploring modal harmonies centered around A. Chords based on the A Major 6/9 structure will be readily accessible across the neck, offering a consistent harmonic foundation. The large jumps and drops also create opportunities for unique fingerings and voicings that would be impossible in standard tuning, inviting players to discover fresh harmonic and melodic textures. This tuning is an excellent choice for composers looking for an inspiring and distinct sonic palette.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Klasykl

To achieve the Klasykl tuning, carefully adjust each string from its standard pitch as described below. Please note the advice regarding string gauge for significant pitch changes.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain at B3.
• 1st String (High e): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It should remain at E4.

Important Note: For any string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised to ensure optimal playability and string longevity. In this tuning, the largest movement is 3 semitones down on the 6th string, which is within the recommended range for standard gauge strings.