Verbal Analysis

"Fried Noodles" is a captivating and deeply resonant tuning that ventures into rich, suspended harmonic territory. With its low C# foundation, it provides a powerful, often dark and atmospheric canvas perfect for genres ranging from ambient and progressive rock to heavy metal. The unique combination of minor 7th and added 9th creates a soundscape that is both familiar and strikingly fresh, encouraging exploration of complex voicings and modal melodies. It hints at a half-step down feel for many strings, contributing to a slacker, more weighty tone.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the open strings to C#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, B3, D#5 from lowest to highest string. Its structure can be technically described as an Open C#sus2sus4(m7) voicing. The fundamental C# is strongly supported by its perfect fifth (G#) and octave (C#). The inclusion of F# (perfect fourth from the root) and B (minor seventh) gives it a strong modal flavour, leaning towards a C# Dorian or C# Aeolian feel with the added tension of the F#. The highest string, D#5 (a major ninth from the low C#), introduces a bright, almost shimmering quality, preventing the tuning from becoming overly dark and adding significant harmonic complexity. This tuning is particularly well-suited for drone-like passages and intricate fingerstyle arrangements, where its open string relationships can truly shine.

Open Chords and Voicings

• Full Open Tuning: C# G# C# F# B D# — This creates a rich C#sus2sus4(m7) chord, providing an immediate sense of tension and release. It's a complex, atmospheric voicing that can serve as a foundation for modal explorations.
• Power Chords: The low C# and G# (strings 6 and 5) offer a robust power chord foundation (C#5). Barre chords across the lower three strings (C# G# C#) become very resonant, lending themselves to heavy riffing.
• Minor 7th Voicings: The B string (minor 7th from C#) allows for easy access to C#m7 voicings by fretting around the C# and G# positions.
• Suspended Chords: The F# (4th) and D# (2nd/9th) naturally lend themselves to creating suspended chords, giving a modern, open sound without complex fingerings.
• Drop Tunings: Its very low C# allows for easy drop-C# type riffs while maintaining a full chordal structure above.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Fried Noodles" tuning, adjust your strings as follows:

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent) to C3#: Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 5 (A Equivalent) to G3#: Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 4 (D Equivalent) to C4#: Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 3 (G Equivalent) to F4#: Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (B Equivalent) to B3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E Equivalent) to D5#: Tune down 1 semitone.

Important Note on String Gauge: While the string movements in this tuning are generally within a safe range for standard gauges (no string moves more than 3 semitones in either direction), achieving optimal tension and tone for the very low C# on String 6 might benefit from using a slightly heavier gauge string. For tunings requiring movements of 4 or more semitones up or down, a different string gauge is strongly advised to maintain playability and prevent string breakage or intonation issues.

String 6 (Low E Equivalent): C3#

String 5 (A Equivalent): G3#

String 4 (D Equivalent): C4#

String 3 (G Equivalent): F4#

String 2 (B Equivalent): B3

String 1 (High E Equivalent): D5#