This unique tuning, known as Open C# Major 6th, is famously utilized by singer and guitarist Lou Diamond across his various projects, including "Jank", "Panucci's Pizza", "Little Tyrant", and "Fail Better, Heal Faster". It's a foundational element in his distinctive sound, offering a rich and resonant canvas for his melodic and harmonic explorations.

Verbal Analysis

The Open C# Major 6th tuning provides a remarkably full and vibrant sound, reminiscent of a grand piano or a lush orchestral chord when strummed openly. It evokes a dreamy, spacious, and sometimes melancholic atmosphere, perfectly suited for the indie and emo genres Lou Diamond is known for. The low C# on the 6th string offers a deep, resonant foundation, while the higher strings, particularly the F3 and A#4, introduce bright, shimmery qualities that can lead to captivating arpeggios and melodic lines. It's particularly well-suited for slide guitar due to its open chord structure, and can create compelling drone notes and textures.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning spell out a C# Major 6th chord: C# - G# - C# - F - A# - C#. Specifically, the notes are C#3, G#3, C#4, F3, A#4, and C#5. This configuration creates a rich harmonic tapestry:

• The lowest three strings (C#3, G#3, C#4) form a powerful C# power chord, providing a strong rhythmic and harmonic anchor.
• The F3 on the 3rd string introduces the major third of C#, while the A#4 on the 2nd string provides the major sixth, giving the tuning its characteristic "major 6th" sound.
• Strumming all open strings immediately produces a C#maj6 chord, making it effortless to achieve a full, complex harmony.

This tuning significantly simplifies playing C#maj6 and related chords. By simply barring across any fret, you can easily transpose the C#maj6 chord up the neck (e.g., barre at the 1st fret yields Dmaj6, 2nd fret D#maj6). The unique interval arrangement also makes it conducive for:

• Developing intricate fingerstyle patterns that leverage the open strings.
• Experimenting with inversions of major 6th chords with minimal effort.
• Creating expressive melodic lines over the sustained open harmonies.
• While minor chords might require more precise fingering to alter the major third (F), the overall structure is highly inspiring for creative exploration beyond standard major/minor voicings.

How to Tune

To achieve Lou Diamond's Open C# Major 6th tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Important Note: While none of the individual string movements exceed the general guideline of tuning more than 4 semitones up or down, the 6th and 1st strings are tuned down by 3 semitones each. This is a considerable drop in tension, and if you plan to use this tuning frequently, you might consider experimenting with different string gauges to achieve optimal feel and intonation for your playing style.

6th String: The lowest string is tuned down 3 semitones from E to C#3, providing a deep and resonant bass foundation.

5th String: Tuned down 1 semitone from A to G#3, which is the perfect fifth of C#, adding harmonic richness.

4th String: Tuned down 1 semitone from D to C#4, an octave above the 6th string, reinforcing the root note.

3rd String: Tuned down 2 semitones from G to F3, this note provides the major third of C#, giving the tuning its major quality.

2nd String: Tuned down 1 semitone from B to A#4, which is the major sixth of C#, contributing to the characteristic "6th" sound.

1st String: The highest string is tuned down 3 semitones from E to C#5, completing the tuning with another octave of the root note.