Verbal Analysis

The 'Aurora Tuning' is an exceptionally bright, resonant, and open-sounding setup that truly lives up to its original description of being 'pretty!' It offers a unique harmonic landscape, making it ideal for creating lush, atmospheric soundscapes, intricate melodic fingerstyle pieces, or crafting chord voicings that are simply unattainable in standard tuning. The open strings ring out to form a rich, complex chord that immediately inspires exploration, lending itself to ethereal and uplifting musical expressions. This tuning feels fresh and invites a creative approach to composition and improvisation, perfect for genres like ambient, folk, or experimental rock.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The tuning presents the following open notes from low to high: C#3, A2, C#4, F#4, G#4, D#5. The unique pitches involved across these strings are A, C#, D#, F#, and G#.

• Harmonic Content: When all open strings are strummed, they coalesce into a sophisticated sonority. Treating the lowest pitched note, A2 (from the 5th string), as the root, the open chord can be technically described as an Amaj7#11(add6) with no 5th. This indicates a bright, extended Major 7th chord with a prominent raised 4th (D#) and an added 6th (F#), hinting at a rich, almost 'Lydian' quality. The C# on the 6th string provides a deep and resonant bass foundation, while the doubled C# (on the 6th and 4th strings) adds to the tuning's inherent stability and sustain.

• Implied Scale & Mood: The collection of unique notes (A, C#, D#, F#, G#) strongly aligns with the A Lydian scale (A B C# D# E F# G#), omitting only the 2nd (B) and 5th (E). The Lydian mode is famously known for its bright, dreamlike, and uplifting character, which perfectly encapsulates the 'pretty' and 'ethereal' feel of this tuning, encouraging melodies and harmonies with a sense of wonder and openness.

• Chords & Playability: The unique intervals and doubled C# notes make certain chord shapes particularly resonant. A Major and C# minor/major triads will feel very natural and full in the open position or with simple fingerings. The interval between the 3rd string (F#) and 2nd string (G#) is a whole step, while between the 2nd (G#) and 1st (D#) strings, it's a perfect 5th up (or a tritone down). This opens up opportunities for interesting cluster chords and extended voicings. Barre chords will take on entirely new characteristics, and melodic lines will have a distinct flavor due to the altered intervallic relationships. Expect to find inspiration for open, ringing chords, harmonically rich arpeggios, and expressive lead lines.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Aurora Tuning' from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these precise string movements:

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

Important Note on String Tension: All string movements for this tuning are within a relatively safe range (tuning down 3 semitones or less). Generally, tuning up 3 or 4 semitones, or down 4 or more semitones, requires extra care and possibly a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and guitar health. For this specific 'Aurora Tuning,' your current string gauge should be perfectly suitable, but always listen to your instrument and consult a luthier if you have concerns.

6th String: C3#

5th String: A2

4th String: C4#

3rd String: F4#

2nd String: G4#

1st String: D5#