Tuning Analysis: In Utero

This 'In Utero' tuning, famously associated with Nirvana and detailed in their official tab books, represents a radical departure from standard guitar tuning. It creates a dark, dissonant, and heavily altered sonic landscape, perfectly suited for grunge, alternative rock, and more experimental genres. The significant and varied string adjustments are clearly designed to facilitate specific riffs and textures rather than conventional open chord voicings, offering a unique sonic identity.

Technical Observations:

The open strings are tuned to C# C# A# G# F# D# from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string. This specific combination does not form a standard major or minor triad. However, it strongly features a C#sus4 voicing (C#, F#, G#) across the 6th, 2nd, and 3rd strings, reinforced by the unison C# on the 5th string. The A# (minor 6th or augmented 5th relative to C#) and D# (major 2nd/9th relative to C#) add a distinctive modal flavor, suggesting elements of a C# Dorian or Phrygian scale, or simply a unique intervallic structure tailored for specific melodic and harmonic interplay.

The unison C# on the 6th and 5th strings provides a powerful, droning bass foundation, ideal for heavy, sustained riffs. The intervallic relationships between adjacent strings are:

• 6th to 5th String (C# to C#): A perfect octave unison (P8).
• 5th to 4th String (C# to A#): A minor sixth (m6).
• 4th to 3rd String (A# to G#): A perfect fifth (P5).
• 3rd to 2nd String (G# to F#): A perfect fourth (P4).
• 2nd to 1st String (F# to D#): A major second (M2).

Due to these radical alterations, many standard chord shapes will need to be re-learned. However, this tuning will naturally reveal new and unexpected voicings, particularly power chords and open string drones rooted around the low C#.

How to Tune:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C3#. This involves loosening the string significantly.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 4 semitones to C4#. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones puts considerable tension on the string. A lighter gauge string is advised if this tuning is used frequently to avoid breakage and excessive neck tension.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A3#. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones can make the string feel slack. A heavier gauge string might be beneficial for better tension and tone, especially if playing aggressively.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone to G4#.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 5 semitones to F4#. Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a very significant drop. A considerably heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string to maintain playability, intonation, and prevent excessive looseness or buzzing.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D5#.

Here are the target notes for each string when tuned to 'In Utero':

• 6th String: C3#
• 5th String: C4#
• 4th String: A3#
• 3rd String: G4#
• 2nd String: F4#
• 1st String: D5#