About Jean's Moon Twinkle Tuning

This unique tuning, aptly named 'Jean's Moon Twinkle', is derived from the melancholic yet shimmering soundscape of Phoebe Bridgers' 'Moon Song'. It embodies a distinct 'twinkly' quality, perfect for intricate arpeggios, expressive fingerstyle, and creating a dream-like, ethereal atmosphere. The tuning moves entirely into a lower register from standard, giving the guitar a rich, resonant, and often haunting depth, while the specific note choices allow for complex harmonic textures to emerge from open strings.

Technical Analysis

Instrument Type: Guitar

Original Tuning Name: Jean

Tuning Description: "derived from Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers, it's quite twinkly"

Open Notes (from low to high): C#3 F#3 C#4 F3 G#4 C4

Harmonic Landscape and Chord Potential

The open strings present a rich collection of pitches: C#, F, F#, G#, C. When analyzed from the lowest C#3 as the root, the tuning contains a C# Major triad (C#, F, G# – interpreting F as E# for a true major third) beautifully complemented by a Perfect 4th (F#) and a Diminished Octave (C – functioning as a Minor 7th). This means the open strings inherently suggest a C# Major 7th chord with an added suspended 4th (C#maj7sus4). This complex voicing creates a unique, open, and slightly melancholic sound.

Specific open chord voicings include:

• A strong C# Major triad using Strings 6 (C#3), 3 (F3), and 2 (G#4).
• A C#sus4 voicing using Strings 6 (C#3), 5 (F#3), and 2 (G#4).
• The combination of notes like C#3, F3, G#4, and C4 forms an ethereal C#maj7, while the F#3 adds a beautiful suspension.

The often wide intervals between adjacent strings (e.g., F3 to G#4 is an octave and a major second, and G#4 to C4 is a descending minor 6th) make this tuning less about strumming conventional block chords and more about exploiting the resonant qualities of the open strings through arpeggiation and melodic lines. Simple fingerings can yield complex harmonic results, making it ideal for creating intricate textures and layered sounds reminiscent of its inspiration.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the 'Jean's Moon Twinkle' tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune down 3 semitones from E2 to C#3.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 3 semitones from A2 to F#3.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 1 semitone from D3 to C#4.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 3 semitones from B3 to G#4.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4.

Important Note on String Gauges: Tuning down multiple semitones, especially 4 semitones as on the high E string, can cause strings to feel slacker than usual. While these movements are generally acceptable with standard gauge strings, if you find the tension too loose or encounter intonation issues, consider using a heavier gauge string set for optimal playability and tone. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is highly recommended.

String 6 (Low E string): C#3

String 5 (A string): F#3

String 4 (D string): C#4

String 3 (G string): F3

String 2 (B string): G#4

String 1 (High E string): C4