Tuning Overview: DARK ETHERAL (LYDIAN)

As described by its creator, this tuning, aptly named DARK ETHERAL (LYDIAN), aims to evoke a Lydian sound while maintaining a balanced intervallic relation across the strings. The intent is to provide easier access to the degrees of the Lydian mode, offering a unique sonic landscape for exploration. The name itself suggests a blend of bright, airy, and expansive qualities (Ethereal, Lydian) with a deeper, perhaps more introspective or melancholic edge (Dark).

Technical Analysis of the Open Tuning

The open strings for this tuning are as follows, from low to high:

• String 6: C#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: C3
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: G3
• String 1: C4

When arranged by pitch from lowest to highest across all strings, the notes are: C3, C#3, G3, G#3, C4, D#4. This immediately reveals a highly unconventional and rich harmonic foundation.

Notable observations:

• Non-Monotonic Pitch Order: The strings do not strictly ascend in pitch from low to high string number. For example, String 4 (C3) is lower than String 6 (C#3) and String 5 (G#3). Similarly, String 2 (G3) is lower than String 3 (D#4). This creates surprising harmonic relationships and potential for drone-like effects.
• Inherent Dissonance and Chromaticism: The presence of both C3 and C#3, along with G3 and G#3, creates a potent minor second and augmented unison relationship at the lower end of the tuning. When strummed openly, this results in a dense, tense, and highly chromatic sound. This dissonance is key to the "Dark" aspect of the tuning's name.
• Wide Intervallic Jumps: There are significant jumps between strings, such as the interval from String 4 (C3) to String 3 (D#4) which spans a Major 9th (or minor 3rd an octave higher), and String 3 (D#4) to String 2 (G3) which is a minor 6th descending in pitch. These wide intervals contribute to an open, spacious, and "Ethereal" quality, allowing for complex voicings and resonant overtones.
• Lydian Interpretation: While the open strings themselves do not form a conventional Lydian chord, the creator's emphasis on "Lydian sound" and "easier access to most of the degrees of the mode" strongly suggests that the tuning's layout facilitates specific Lydian voicings and melodic patterns when fretted. The open strings act as a unique framework upon which Lydian harmonies can be easily constructed, perhaps through specific fingerings that become intuitive due to the altered intervals. This allows for the bright, dreamy, and slightly unsettled character of the Lydian mode to emerge within a foundation of inherent tension.

Open Chords and Voicings

Given the unique structure, standard open major or minor chords are not readily available. Instead, this tuning encourages:

• Rich Drones: The low C3 and C#3 can be used as a foundation for dense, sustained sounds.
• Complex Harmonies: The full open tuning (C3, C#3, G3, G#3, C4, D#4) forms a highly dissonant but compelling cluster that can be explored for experimental music, soundscapes, or ambient textures.
• Modal Exploration: The tuning is designed to make fretted Lydian scale shapes and chords (e.g., major 7#11 voicings) more accessible and visually intuitive across the fretboard, fulfilling the creator's intent for the "Lydian sound."

How to Tune: From Standard EADGBe

To achieve the DARK ETHERAL (LYDIAN) tuning, you will need to adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe as follows:

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

The tuning notes for DARK ETHERAL (LYDIAN) are:

• String 6 (Low E string): C3#
• String 5 (A string): G3#
• String 4 (D string): C3
• String 3 (G string): D4#
• String 2 (B string): G3
• String 1 (High E string): C4