The C# Eleventh Split tuning is a captivating hybrid, masterfully blending the deep, resonant characteristics of a lowered tuning on the bass strings with the familiar brightness and playability of standard E tuning on the treble strings. This unique configuration creates a broad sonic palette, offering a heavy and dark foundation while maintaining clarity and accessibility for melodies and leads on the higher register. It's an excellent choice for guitarists seeking to achieve a powerful, lower-register sound without completely re-learning their fretboard for solos and chord voicings.

Technical Analysis:

• Open String Notes: From low to high, the tuning is C#3, F#3, B2, E3, B3, E4.
• Chordal Voicings: Strumming all open strings yields a rich, complex C#m11 (C# minor eleventh) chord (C#, E, F#, B), creating an expansive, atmospheric sound ideal for progressive rock, metal, and jazz fusion. This tuning also inherently contains a C#sus4 (C#, F#, B) and C#m7 (C#, E, B) with the addition of a B.
• Interval Relationships:
  • The bottom three strings (C#3, F#3, B2) are tuned in perfect fourths (C# to F#, F# to B), offering consistent power chord shapes that are easily transferable across these strings.
  • The third and second strings (E3, B3) are a perfect fifth apart, providing another stable interval for power chords or open harmonies.
  • The highest two strings (B3, E4) retain the standard perfect fourth interval, allowing for familiar lead lines and chord fragments in the upper register.
• Practical Applications: This tuning is highly versatile for genres that benefit from extended harmony and a heavy bottom end. It allows for deep, droning riffs and open-string pedal tones while keeping lead playing relatively intuitive on the higher strings. Slide guitarists might find interesting harmonic possibilities due to the open C#m11 voicing.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Low E): Tuned to C#3
• String 5 (A): Tuned to F#3
• String 4 (D): Tuned to B2
• String 3 (G): Tuned to E3
• String 2 (B): Tuned to B3
• String 1 (High E): Tuned to E4

How to Tune:

To achieve the C# Eleventh Split tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note the recommended semitone movements for each string. Generally, tuning down 3 or 4 semitones is safe for standard string gauges; however, for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge might be advised for optimal tension and playability.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to a C#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to an F#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones to a B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to an E3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).