C#G#C#D#A#C# Guitar Tuner
C#G#C#D#A#C# | D♭A♭D♭E♭B♭D♭ Sun Kil Moon - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This is an extremely unique and atmospheric guitar tuning, famously used for the song "Alesund" by Sun Kil Moon. It departs significantly from standard EADGBe, creating a rich, melancholic, and resonant soundscape ideal for intricate fingerstyle and ethereal compositions. The original description notes its "very weird" nature, which is evident in the complex intervals and the deep drop in pitch across multiple strings.
Technical Analysis:
- The open strings are tuned to C#3, G#3, C#4, D#4, A#4, C#5 (low to high).
- The tuning features a prominent C# root, appearing on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings. This provides a strong fundamental and allows for drone notes and open string resonance.
- Examining the intervals from the lowest C# (C#3):
- C#3 to G#3 (String 6 to 5): Perfect 5th (P5)
- G#3 to C#4 (String 5 to 4): Perfect 4th (P4)
- C#4 to D#4 (String 4 to 3): Major 2nd (M2)
- D#4 to A#4 (String 3 to 2): Perfect 5th (P5)
- A#4 to C#5 (String 2 to 1): Minor 3rd (m3)
- When played open, the tuning combines C#, G#, D#, and A#. This forms a C#sus2 (C#, D#, G#) with an added Major 6th (A#). This creates a sophisticated, open, and slightly ambiguous harmonic quality, avoiding common major or minor tonalities, which is perfect for reflective and atmospheric music.
Potential Chords and Voicings:
- The first three strings (C# G# C#) naturally form a C#5 power chord or an inverted C# Major triad, offering a solid foundation for riffs and open string drones.
- Barring across the lower strings (e.g., strings 6, 5, 4) can yield power chords or interesting sus voicings, allowing for easy transposition of open string ideas.
- The unique Major 2nd interval between the 4th and 3rd strings (C#4-D#4) and the Minor 3rd between the 2nd and 1st strings (A#4-C#5) can be exploited for close voicings, dissonant clusters, or melodic counterpoints, adding to the tuning's distinct character.
- The extensive use of sharps and the overall lower pitch creates a dark, rich timbre that is highly resonant, especially suitable for fingerstyle arrangements where individual notes can ring out.
How to Tune:
This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe. Exercise caution, especially with the deeper drops, to avoid string breakage or damage to your guitar. Generally, when tuning down 3 or 4 semitones, the user should take care. If the tuning adjustment exceeds 4 semitones (either up or down), a different gauge string is usually advised for optimal tension and tone.
- 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#.
- 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone from A to G#.
- 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D to C#.
- 3rd String (G): Tune down 4 semitones from G to D#.
- 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B to A#.
- 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#.
Here are the notes for each string in this unique tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):
- 6th String: C#3
- 5th String: G#3
- 4th String: C#4
- 3rd String: D#4
- 2nd String: A#4
- 1st String: C#5
Comments - have your say on C#G#C#D#A#C#
Capos for C#G#C#D#A#C#
Capo | Tuning | Name |
---|---|---|
-1 | CGCDAC | Alesund By Sun Kil Moom |
0 | C#G#C#D#A#C# | Sun Kil Moon |
1 | DADEBD | Pelican With Sunglasses |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -3
- -1
- -1
- -4
- -1
- -3