This unique 9-string guitar tuning, famously used by Joni Mitchell, allows you to play a lot of her iconic tunes from albums like "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter." Specifically, tracks such as "Cotton Avenue," "Off Night Backstreet," and the beautiful "Silky Veils of Ardor" work wonderfully in this tuning. For those looking to delve deeper, tabs for many of her songs in this and other tunings can often be found for free on the official Joni Mitchell website.

Technical Analysis:

This is a highly distinctive 9-string tuning. The open strings, from thickest (String 9) to thinnest (String 1), are: C#2, F#2, B1, C2, A2, C3, F3, G3, C4. The lowest note in this configuration is B1 on String 7, providing a deep, resonant foundation.

The open strings do not immediately form a conventional major or minor chord, which is characteristic of Joni Mitchell's experimental approach. However, if we focus on the higher strings (String 6 through String 1: C2, A2, C3, F3, G3, C4), we find a rich, extended harmony. This cluster can be interpreted as a form of C6sus4 or C6/9, with the notes C, F, G, A creating a complex yet inviting sound. The repeated C notes across octaves (C2, C3, C4) provide a strong tonal center, while the F and G add sus4 and 5th qualities, and the A contributes a 6th. The lower strings (C#2, F#2, B1) introduce additional dissonant or colorful intervals, such as a minor second between B1 and C2, and a tritone (B to F) if played together.

This tuning is designed to facilitate specific voicings and melodic lines, creating a unique sonic landscape that enables her signature chord progressions and open, ringing tones. Open strumming of all strings will yield a dense, multi-layered sound, rich in overtones, providing a drone-like quality for which many of her compositions are known. Chords within reach would likely involve specific fingerings to leverage the unique intervals, allowing for intricate harmonic textures not easily achievable in standard tuning.

How to Tune:

• String 9 (Lowest): Tune to C#2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its assumed standard tuning position.
• String 8: Tune to F#2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its assumed standard tuning position.
• String 7: Tune to B1. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its assumed standard tuning position.
• String 6: Tune to C2. Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• String 5: Tune to A2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its assumed standard tuning position.
• String 4: Tune to C3. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to F3. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2: Tune to G3. Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune to C4. Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.