The Open C#sus4 tuning for Guitar is a rich and resonant setup that immediately evokes a powerful, open C# suspended 4th chord (C#, F#, G#). When all open strings are strummed, you're greeted with a full, shimmering sound, perfect for drone work, slide guitar, and expansive soundscapes. This tuning, with its deep and often haunting quality, provides a unique canvas for songwriting and exploration, particularly in genres like folk, blues, and experimental music.

Technical Analysis

This tuning transforms your standard guitar into an open C#sus4 chord. The open notes are C#3, F#3, C#4, F#4, G#4, C#5 from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string. Let's break down the intervals between adjacent strings:

• 6th String (C#3) to 5th String (F#3): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
• 5th String (F#3) to 4th String (C#4): Perfect 5th (up 7 semitones)
• 4th String (C#4) to 3rd String (F#4): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
• 3rd String (F#4) to 2nd String (G#4): Major 2nd (up 2 semitones)
• 2nd String (G#4) to 1st String (C#5): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)

The arrangement of perfect 4ths and 5ths, along with the repeated root (C#) and 4th (F#) across different octaves, creates a highly stable and consonant harmonic foundation. The sole Major 2nd interval between the 3rd and 2nd strings offers a slightly tighter voicing in the mid-range, contributing to the tuning's distinctive character.

Chordal Opportunities

The Open C#sus4 tuning makes several chord voicings immediately accessible and inspires new melodic and harmonic ideas:

• Open C#sus4: Simply strumming all six open strings provides a full, resonant C#sus4 chord (C# F# C# F# G# C#).
• Barre Chords: By barring any single fret across all six strings, you can effortlessly transpose the open C#sus4 chord up the neck, creating various suspended 4th chords (e.g., barring the 2nd fret yields D#sus4).
• C# Minor: To achieve a C# minor chord (C# E G#), you can fret the 5th string at the 3rd fret (to change F# to E) and the 3rd string at the 3rd fret (to change F# to E). This resolves the suspended 4th to a minor 3rd, completing the minor triad.
• C# Major: For a C# major chord (C# E# G# / C# F G#), fret the 5th string at the 2nd fret (F# to E#) and the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (F# to E#). This brings in the major 3rd, offering a brighter, resolved sound.
• Drone Play: The open strings are perfect for creating powerful drones, allowing for melodic improvisation over a rich harmonic bed.

How to Tune

To achieve the Open C#sus4 tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions:

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

Important Note: While all string movements for this tuning are within a relatively safe range (1-3 semitones down), always exercise caution when adjusting string tension. If you are ever required to tune a string up or down by more than 4 semitones (e.g., up 5, down 6), it is strongly recommended to consider using a different gauge string more suited to the new tension to prevent string breakage and ensure proper intonation and playability.

6th String (Lowest): C#3 (C sharp in the 3rd octave)

5th String: F#3 (F sharp in the 3rd octave)

4th String: C#4 (C sharp in the 4th octave)

3rd String: F#4 (F sharp in the 4th octave)

2nd String: G#4 (G sharp in the 4th octave)

1st String (Highest): C#5 (C sharp in the 5th octave)