Tuning Analysis: C# Phrygian Landscape

This unique tuning, originally titled "experiment v.2" and described as a "slight alteration on my other submitted tuning," transforms the standard guitar into a canvas for expansive and often dark sonic textures. With all strings significantly detuned, it plunges the instrument into a lower register, offering a rich and resonant sound.

Verbal Overview

"C# Phrygian Landscape" is a deep and resonant tuning that evokes a sense of mystery and introspection. The entire guitar is brought down into a lower tessitura, starting with C#3 on the low E string and culminating in C#5 on the high e string, spanning two full octaves. The individual string movements, especially the significant drops on the 4th and 3rd strings, create an unconventional and intriguing set of open intervals. This tuning lends itself beautifully to ambient soundscapes, heavy riffing, and experimental music, where its unique harmonic structure can shine. The name 'Phrygian Landscape' reflects the exotic and modal flavour created by the specific intervals, particularly the major 3rd drop between the 4th and 3rd strings (A# to F).

Technical Breakdown

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Original Tuning Name: experiment v.2
• Original Tuning Description: slight alteration on my other submitted tuning.
• Open Notes: C#3, F#3, A#3, F3, G#4, C#5 (low to high)
• Interval Analysis (from 6th to 1st string):
  • 6th (C#3) to 5th (F#3): Perfect 4th (P4)
  • 5th (F#3) to 4th (A#3): Major 3rd (M3)
  • 4th (A#3) to 3rd (F3): Major 3rd Down (M3↓, or Diminished 4th) - a notable drop in pitch.
  • 3rd (F3) to 2nd (G#4): Minor 3rd Up (m3↑)
  • 2nd (G#4) to 1st (C#5): Perfect 4th (P4)

Chords and Voicings

The open strings of C# F# A# F G# C# present a complex harmonic landscape. While not forming a single conventional chord, this tuning offers several intriguing possibilities:

• Lower Strings (6th, 5th, 4th): Playing C#3, F#3, A#3 together creates an F#sus2 chord (F# - A# - C#). This provides a rich, open, and powerful bass foundation.
• Upper Strings (3rd, 2nd, 1st): F3, G#4, C#5 forms a captivating Fsus2 voicing, with the G# as the '2' and C# as the '5'. This offers a bright yet slightly melancholic top end.
• Barre Chords: Due to the unique intervals, standard barre chord shapes will yield entirely new sonorities. For instance, a barre across all strings will produce a cluster of notes with unexpected relationships, inviting exploration for dissonant textures or complex harmonies. Experimentation with partial barres and single-note melodies will reveal the full potential of this tuning for creating unique musical phrases.
• Resonant Bass: The deep C#3 on the 6th string and the C#5 on the 1st string provide a strong octave anchor, making the tuning feel grounded despite its complex internal intervals.

How to Tune

To achieve the "C# Phrygian Landscape" tuning, carefully adjust each string from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e) as follows. Please note that significant detuning may require a different string gauge for optimal tension and tone, especially for the 4th string.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones from A to F#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones from D to A#3. *Careful consideration of string gauge is advised for this significant drop.*
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 3 semitones from high e to C#5.

Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid damaging your strings or instrument.

String 6: C3#

String 5: F3#

String 4: A3#

String 3: F3

String 2: G4#

String 1: C5#