Guitar Tuning Analysis: Mountain Mist Tuning

This analysis describes the Mountain Mist Tuning for the Guitar. As its name suggests, this tuning offers a uniquely atmospheric and evocative sound, perfect for creating deep, resonant soundscapes and ambient textures. It provides a distinct 'interesting sound and feeling' as described in its original context, encouraging players to explore new harmonic territories beyond conventional chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are (from thickest 6th string to thinnest 1st string): C3#, F3#, C4#, F3, G4#, D5#. Let's break down the harmonic structure:

• The lowest string, C3#, provides a profound and grounding bass note, setting the tonal center.
• The tuning features a strong root presence with C# appearing on both the 6th and 4th strings (C3# and C4# respectively), anchoring the sound across octaves.
• String 5 is tuned to F3#, a perfect fourth above the lowest C#3.
• String 3 is tuned to F3, which serves as a minor third relative to the C# root. This note, combined with the G#4 (perfect fifth) on string 2, strongly suggests a C# minor tonality (C#-F-G#).
• String 1 is D5#, which acts as a major second or ninth, adding a bright, open extension and modern flavor to the overall sound.
• A key characteristic of this tuning, and likely the source of its 'misty' quality, is the interplay between F3 (string 3) and F3# (string 5). This half-step relationship creates a beautiful, subtle dissonance or 'cluster' tension when played together, which is central to the tuning's unique character and ambient potential.

Overall, this is not a simple open major or minor chord but a rich, complex cluster of notes including C#, D#, F, F#, and G#. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for drone-based music, intricate fingerstyle patterns, and arpeggios that highlight the unique harmonic interplay and atmospheric qualities.

Chords and Playability

While standard open chords will not translate directly due to the unique intervals, this tuning opens doors to novel voicings and creative exploration:

• Open Voicings: The open strings themselves form a rich, ambient texture that can be sustained as a drone or arpeggiated to create ethereal soundscapes.
• Power Chords: The low C# and F# make for powerful two- or three-string root-fifth voicings, particularly resonant on the lower strings. Barring across the lower strings (e.g., 6-5-4 or 5-4-3) at any fret will create interesting, resonant chords that maintain the inherent intervals of the tuning.
• Unique Shapes: Players are encouraged to experiment with two or three-finger chord shapes across adjacent or non-adjacent strings to discover new, resonant harmonies that leverage the open string intervals. The subtle tension between F and F# can be exploited for expressive melodic and harmonic effects, pushing beyond traditional chord structures.

How to Tune

To achieve the Mountain Mist Tuning, follow these instructions for each string, starting from the thickest (6th string) to the thinnest (1st string). No string movements exceed a range where a different gauge string is generally advised, but always tune carefully and gradually.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C3#.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F3#.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C4#.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones to G4#.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D5#.

The open notes for the Mountain Mist Tuning are:

• 6th String: C3#
• 5th String: F3#
• 4th String: C4#
• 3rd String: F3
• 2nd String: G4#
• 1st String: D5#