Tuning Analysis: Open C#sus4 Drone

This intriguing tuning, which we've named Open C#sus4 Drone, presents a rich, resonant soundscape. The tuning notes are C# F# C# F# C# F# from low to high strings. This arrangement creates a powerful open C# suspended 4th chord (C#-F# is a perfect fourth). It can also be perceived as an F# suspended 2nd chord (F#-C# is a perfect fifth), given the prominence of the F# notes.

Verbal Description

Prepare for a deeply resonant and atmospheric experience. The consistent perfect fourth and octave intervals between strings create a drone-like quality, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing, ambient soundscapes, or experimental folk. Strumming all open strings will produce a full, harmonically rich sound that feels both open and slightly unresolved, inviting exploration. Sliding a finger or a barre across the frets will maintain this suspended quality, allowing for easy melodic movement while retaining a strong harmonic foundation. This tuning is excellent for exploring open-string harmonies and creating shimmering textures.

Technical Analysis

• Structure: The tuning follows a repeating C#-F# pattern across all six strings (C#3, F#3, C#4, F#4, C#5, F#5). This intervalic consistency provides a strong, almost minimalist harmonic bed built primarily on perfect fourths and octaves.
• Open Chords: The open strings naturally form a C#sus4 chord. By simply barring a fret, you can easily transpose this suspended chord up the neck. The absence of a major or minor third provides a versatile, non-committal harmonic canvas, allowing for a wide range of melodic and harmonic ideas to be layered on top. Due to the symmetrical nature, simple shapes will yield interesting voicings. For example, a single finger barred across any fret will produce a suspended 4th chord, while fingering specific strings can reveal major, minor, or dominant 7th voicings with unique open-string drones.
• User's Stated Intent vs. Actual Tuning: The original description for this tuning states an intention to achieve a BEBEBE tuning with a capo at the 2nd fret, citing issues with the guitar staying in tune. However, if the open strings are C# F# C# F# C# F#, then placing a capo at the 2nd fret would result in D# G# D# G# D# G# (Open D#sus4). This is a different tuning from the intended BEBEBE (which would require open strings of ADADAD to achieve with a 2nd fret capo). It's important for the player to be aware of this distinction to achieve their desired sound.

How to Tune

To achieve the relative intervals of this tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements. Please note: The target notes provided in the tuning_notes (C#3, F#3, C#4, F#4, C#5, F#5) are generally an octave higher than what these semitone movements from standard EADGBe would produce on typical guitar strings. Achieving the higher octaves as specified in tuning_notes (e.g., C#3 from standard E2) would involve tuning up significantly more semitones (9 semitones in this case), which is beyond safe limits and would typically require much lighter gauge strings, or even octave-up string sets. The instructions below describe the movements from standard EADGBe, which would lead to an Open C#sus4 Drone tuning at a lower, more conventional octave (C#2, F#2, C#3, F#3, C#4, F#4).

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard E2 pitch to C#2. (Care is advised when tuning down; ensure string tension is maintained.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard A2 pitch to F#2. (Care is advised when tuning down; ensure string tension is maintained.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard D3 pitch to C#3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard G3 pitch to F#3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard B3 pitch to C#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard E4 pitch to F#4.

For any string movement exceeding 4 semitones up or down (as would be required to reach the higher octave notes specified in the tuning_notes), a different gauge string is generally advised to avoid string breakage or damage to the instrument. Always tune slowly and check string tension.

The open tuning notes are as follows (from low to high string):

String 6: C#3

String 5: F#3

String 4: C#4

String 3: F#4

String 2: C#5

String 1: F#5