The G#m11 Tuning: A Rich, Evocative Landscape

This unique tuning, aptly named "G#m11", was discovered while experimenting with drop C# tunings, as described by its originator. It presents a captivating sonic palette that is both deep and harmonically complex. When strummed open, this tuning immediately resolves to a full and resonant G# minor 11th chord, creating an instant atmosphere of sophistication and depth.

Verbal Analysis

The G#m11 tuning is a fantastic choice for guitarists looking to explore lush, extended harmonies without complicated fingerings. Its inherent minor 11th quality makes it highly suitable for genres like jazz, fusion, ambient soundscapes, progressive rock, or even for adding a sophisticated edge to metal. The open strings offer a natural, rich texture, providing a powerful foundation for songwriting or improvisation. The lowest C# string provides a dark, foundational bass, which surprisingly blends into a G# minor 11th chord, giving the open strum a distinctive, almost suspended quality before resolving to its true root.

The spread of notes across the fretboard facilitates interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities. Despite its complex sound, the open voicing makes it very playable, allowing for quick transitions between chords that share common tones or shapes. Explorations into arpeggios across the strings will reveal an intricate tapestry of minor, suspended, and even dominant-like sounds, making this tuning a playground for creative expression.

Technical Analysis

The G#m11 tuning sets the open strings to C#3 - G#3 - B2 - F#4 - A#4 - D#5 (low to high). When analyzed with G# as the root, the open strings yield the following intervals:

• G# (Root) on String 5
• B (Minor 3rd) on String 4
• D# (Perfect 5th) on String 1
• F# (Minor 7th) on String 3
• A# (Major 9th) on String 2
• C# (Perfect 4th / 11th) on String 6

This precisely spells out a G# minor 11th chord (G# - B - D# - F# - A# - C#). The arrangement of these notes provides several advantages:

• Open Chord Voicings: The entire G#m11 chord is available with a single open strum, making it effortless to integrate this complex harmony into your music.
• Power Chords: The C# on string 6 and G# on string 5 form a perfect fifth, providing an immediate C#5 power chord. Similarly, B on string 4 and F# on string 3 form a perfect fifth, offering an open B5 power chord. These low-end power chords add versatility to the tuning for heavier styles.
• Extended Harmonies: The close proximity of the 9th (A#) and 11th (C#) to the root and minor 3rd allows for easy construction of other minor 7, 9, and 11 chords with minimal fretting, often by simply barring across a single fret or using two-finger shapes.
• Melodic Opportunities: The distinct spread of notes across the strings encourages creative arpeggios and melodic phrases that naturally outline the G# minor 11 sound.

While some traditional chord shapes will be transformed, this tuning opens up new harmonic territories and fingerings that are intuitive within its own framework. Experimentation with partial voicings and drones will uncover its full potential.

Current Tuning Notes:

String 6 (Low E string equivalent): C3#
String 5 (A string equivalent): G3#
String 4 (D string equivalent): B2
String 3 (G string equivalent): F4#
String 2 (B string equivalent): A4#
String 1 (High E string equivalent): D5#

How to Tune Your Guitar to G#m11:

To achieve the G#m11 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements. Please use a reliable tuner for accuracy and always be mindful of string tension. All movements are within the range generally advised for standard string gauges.

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