This unique tuning, originally described by its creator as "Open Ish" and noted for its "cool" sound on Instagram, offers a rich, complex harmonic landscape. It moves significantly away from standard guitar tunings, inviting exploration into atmospheric, expansive, and potentially darker sonic territories.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are C#3 - G#3 - C3 - G#4 - C4 - D#5 (from the lowest string to the highest). This configuration can be analyzed as a C# minor 7th chord (C# - G# - C natural) with an added Major 9th (D#). The strategic placement of two G#s (on the 5th and 3rd strings) and two C naturals (on the 4th and 2nd strings) across the strings creates a strong, resonant drone potential, greatly enhancing the chordal richness and sustain.

• The foundational root note, C#, is found on the 6th (lowest) string.
• The perfect 5th, G#, is present on both the 5th and 3rd strings, adding depth and resonance.
• The minor 7th, C natural, appears on the 4th and 2nd strings, providing the characteristic minor 7th quality.
• The highest string provides a D#, which functions as a Major 9th from the root C#.

An open strum of this tuning will produce a powerful C#m7(add9) or C#m9 chord (missing the explicit major 3rd, E, but its minor quality is strongly implied by the G# and C natural). This makes the tuning exceptionally well-suited for creating lush soundscapes, intricate fingerstyle patterns, or heavy, droning riffs that lean towards a melancholic or introspective feel. Barre chords played across any single fret will transpose this complex extended chord, offering consistent harmonic voicings up and down the fretboard and opening up a wide array of creative possibilities.

How to Tune

When adjusting your strings, proceed with care, especially when tuning down significantly. Always ensure your guitar's intonation is checked and adjusted after making substantial tuning changes. As a general guideline, string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down) often benefit from using a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and prevent potential string breakage or damage to your instrument.

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

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

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

4th String: C3 (C natural in the 3rd octave)

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

2nd String: C4 (C natural in the 4th octave)

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