Okapi Tuning: A Deep Dive

The 'Okapi' tuning presents a truly distinctive and adventurous landscape for guitarists, pushing the boundaries of conventional harmony and playability. It's a tuning that eschews tradition, offering a wide, almost orchestral, range of pitches that can evoke feelings of mystery, unease, or expansive openness. This setup is perfectly suited for experimental genres, ambient soundscapes, or any player looking to break free from standard voicings and discover new sonic territories.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings for Okapi tuning are as follows, from lowest to highest string:

• String 6: C#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: B2
• String 1: E4

Examining the intervals between adjacent strings reveals the tuning's unique character:

• String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (G#3): A Perfect 5th (7 semitones).
• String 5 (G#3) to String 4 (C#4): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (F#4): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B2): This is the most striking interval. String 2 (B2) is an entire Major 6th (10 semitones) *lower* in pitch than String 3 (F#4). This creates a massive, non-linear jump in pitch from a higher-numbered string to a lower-numbered string.
• String 2 (B2) to String 1 (E4): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).

Open Chords and Voicings:

This tuning does not readily yield traditional diatonic chords when strummed openly across all strings due to the dramatic pitch drop on the second string. However, it offers rich possibilities for specific voicings:

• C#sus4 Drone: The lowest four strings (C#3, G#3, C#4, F#4) form a powerful and resonant C#sus4 chord. This provides an excellent foundation for melodic exploration or sustained harmony.
• B Minor / Bsus4 potential: The combination of String 2 (B2) and String 1 (E4) forms an open Bsus4 interval. Fretting String 1 at the 2nd fret (F#4) could yield a Bmadd11 type sound (B-E-F#).
• Experimental Clusters: Strumming all open strings (C#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, B2, E4) creates a dense, somewhat dissonant cluster. Pitched in order, these notes are B2, C#3, G#3, C#4, E4, F#4. This specific voicing doesn't conform to a simple chord name, instead suggesting a modal or avant-garde harmonic palette.
• Reimagined Chord Shapes: The non-standard intervals, especially the large drop to B2 on String 2, mean that all traditional chord shapes will need to be re-learned or creatively adapted. This encourages large stretches and arpeggiated figures to connect the wide pitch discrepancies.

Overall Impression:

Okapi tuning is a playground for the adventurous musician. It demands a fresh perspective on the fretboard and offers unique harmonic textures unavailable in standard or even common open tunings. The deep, rumbling B2 provides an earthy anchor, while the higher strings weave a complex, often ethereal, tapestry above it. Be prepared for a challenging yet rewarding journey into new sonic realms.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Okapi Tuning:

To achieve the unique Okapi tuning, adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe tuning as follows. The target note for each string is provided.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note is C#3.
• String 5 (A String): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note is G#3.
• String 4 (D String): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note is C#4.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note is F#4.
• String 2 (B String): Tune down 12 semitones (one full octave). The target note is B2. Important: Tuning down 12 semitones is an extreme change in pitch for this string. It is strongly recommended to use a significantly heavier gauge string (potentially a baritone or even a bass string) for the 2nd string to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or damage to your guitar's neck or bridge.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E4.