Tuning Analysis: Ricardo Moyano (8-String Guitar)

The "Ricardo Moyano" tuning for 8-string guitar is a highly customized and unconventional setup, explicitly designed for microtonal works. This suggests a departure from standard Western equal temperament harmony, aiming for unique sonic textures and intervallic relationships, often focusing on specific intervallic relationships and drone capabilities rather than traditional chord voicings.

Open String Harmony & Characteristics

Technically, the open strings are tuned from the lowest (String 8) to the highest (String 1) as follows: C#3, C#3, E2, F#3, C#4, F#4, B3, E4. This creates a fascinating and complex sonic landscape:

• Unison Low Strings: A most striking feature is the unison C#3 on strings 8 and 7. This creates an immediate, strong drone or foundational voice, heavily emphasizing the C# pitch. In standard tunings, unison lower strings are rare, often used for specific drone or rhythmic effects, and certainly unusual for the lowest two strings of an 8-string instrument.
• Re-entrant String 6: String 6 is tuned to E2, a full octave and a major third lower than the C#3 on strings 7 and 8. This re-entrant characteristic, where a physically thicker string produces a lower pitch than its adjacent strings, is highly unusual for a guitar and implies a very specific string gauge for String 6. It creates a deep, resonant bass drone that can underpin the other C#-centric notes.
• C# and F# Dominance: The tuning prominently features C# and F# across multiple octaves (C#3, F#3, C#4, F#4). This establishes a strong perfect fourth relationship (C# to F#), reminiscent of open power chords and adding a rich, resonant quality to the overall sound.
• Upper Register Contrast: The upper strings (String 2: B3, String 1: E4) provide a familiar E-B interval (a perfect fourth relative to standard G-B, or perfect fifth from E to B). This E-centricity (E2, B3, E4) can create a strong E natural minor flavor which contrasts with, or complements, the C#-F# emphasis of the lower and middle strings.

When all strings are played open, the resulting sonority is a complex, rich cluster emphasizing C#, E, F#, and B. It can be perceived as a form of C# minor 7 (missing G#) with an added F#, or an E minor 9 (missing G, D, A) with C# in the bass. This unique interplay of intervals offers a rich canvas for microtonal compositions and drone-based soundscapes, facilitating specific melodic and harmonic possibilities that extend beyond conventional Western harmony.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Ricardo Moyano tuning, carefully adjust each string from its standard pitch according to the following instructions:

• String 8 (Lowest String): Tune to C#3. This requires tuning up 7 semitones. Due to this significant increase in tension, a lighter gauge string may be advisable, or ensure your guitar can handle the increased stress on its neck.
• String 7: Tune to C#3. This requires tuning up 2 semitones.
• String 6: Tune to E2. No change from its current pitch (0 semitones).
• String 5: Tune to F#3. This requires tuning down 3 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to C#4. This requires tuning down 1 semitone.
• String 3: Tune to F#4. This requires tuning down 1 semitone.
• String 2: Tune to B3. No change from its current pitch (0 semitones).
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune to E4. No change from its current pitch (0 semitones).

Important Note on String Gauges: When tuning strings, movements of more than 4 semitones (up or down) can significantly alter string tension and potentially affect your instrument's setup or string integrity. For String 8, which is tuned up 7 semitones, it is highly recommended to use a lighter gauge string specifically designed for higher tension applications or to prevent breakage and excessive stress on your guitar's neck. For other strings, movements within +/- 4 semitones are generally manageable with standard string gauges, but always be mindful of your instrument's limits and listen for any unusual stress sounds.

String 8: C#3 (Lowest String)

String 7: C#3

String 6: E2

String 5: F#3

String 4: C#4

String 3: F#4

String 2: B3

String 1: E4 (Highest String)