About this Tuning

The "Sherwood's Octave Weave" tuning for an 8-string Guitar is a highly custom and intricate arrangement, notably used in Kevin Sherwood's compositions such as "Pareidolia Coming Home" and others. This tuning deviates significantly from standard guitar tunings, offering a unique sonic palette designed for complex and modern musical expressions.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning presents a challenging yet rewarding landscape for the adventurous guitarist. It leans heavily into dissonant and open voicings, moving away from traditional major or minor chord structures. The arrangement of notes, particularly the close proximity of C#2 on String 8 and C3 on String 4, creates a dense, often dark, and highly tension-filled sound that is perfect for atmospheric, progressive, or heavy genres. It encourages exploration of intricate melodic lines, arpeggios, and percussive riffs rather than strumming conventional open chords. The extensive low range provided by the 8-string setup, combined with these specific pitches, makes it ideal for creating powerful, resonant textures and driving, complex rhythms.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 8-string tuning, ordered from the lowest physical string (String 8, typically the thickest) to the highest physical string (String 1, typically the thinnest), are:

• String 8: C#2
• String 7: A1
• String 6: D#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: C4
• String 1: A#4

Key observations include:

• Unconventional Bass Register: Interestingly, A1 on String 7 is the lowest pitched note in this tuning, even lower than C#2 on String 8. This creates an unconventional and deep foundation, suggesting specific low-end melodic or rhythmic roles for these two strings.
• Dissonant Core: A prominent feature is the minor second interval between C#2 (String 8) and C3 (String 4). When played simultaneously, this interval, an octave apart, creates a powerful, grating tension that is fundamental to the tuning's character and useful for aggressive or suspenseful passages.
• C-Centric but Atonal: While there are multiple C notes (C#, C) across different octaves (C#2, C3, C4), the tuning as a whole does not immediately adhere to a specific traditional key or mode. This allows for vast harmonic freedom but requires intentional note selection for desired outcomes.
• Wide Intervals: The intervals between adjacent strings are often wide and varied, making conventional open chord shapes impractical or impossible. This necessitates a focus on single-note lines, dyads, and specific voicings rather than broad strumming.
• Implied Harmonies: While traditional open chords are not readily available, specific voicings and clusters emerge. For example, Strings 4, 3, and 2 (C3, F3, and C4) provide a strong C and F relationship, forming a perfect fourth and an octave, useful for suspended sounds or solid foundations. The combination of G#3 (S5) with C3 (S4) and F3 (S3) can suggest elements of an F minor triad with an altered fifth or extensions.
• Extended Range: As an 8-string tuning, it offers an expansive range from the very low A1 to the high A#4, providing ample space for complex bass lines, rhythmic chugging, and soaring melodic leads.

This tuning is clearly crafted for a specific musical vision, prioritizing unique textures and harmonic tension over conventional harmony. It will excel in genres that benefit from extended range, dissonance, and a focus on percussive and atmospheric sound design, such as metal, progressive rock, or soundtrack composition.

Tuning Details

Here are the target notes for each string of the 8-string guitar, ordered from the thickest (String 8) to the thinnest (String 1):

• String 8: C2#
• String 7: A1
• String 6: D3#
• String 5: G3#
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: C4
• String 1: A4#

How to Tune

Please follow these instructions carefully to achieve the "Sherwood's Octave Weave" tuning. Pay close attention to the semitone adjustments, especially for strings requiring significant changes, as this may necessitate a different string gauge for optimal tension and playability.

• String 8 (C2#): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 7 (A1): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 6 (D3#): Tune up 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a lighter gauge string for this pitch to prevent breakage and ensure proper intonation.
• String 5 (G3#): Tune up 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a lighter gauge string for this pitch to prevent breakage and ensure proper intonation.
• String 4 (C3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 3 (F3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• String 2 (C4): Tune up 5 semitones. Extreme Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a very substantial change. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string specifically for this pitch to avoid string breakage and potential damage to your instrument.
• String 1 (A4#): Tune down 1 semitone.

Always tune slowly and check your intonation after significant changes. If you frequently use this tuning, a dedicated set of strings or a custom gauge set is highly recommended to maintain optimal playability and string longevity.