Tuning Analysis: Saturn's Gaze

This unique tuning, originally named "saturnus in your shining eyes", transforms your Guitar into an instrument capable of producing deeply resonant and atmospheric soundscapes. The arrangement of notes, particularly the repeated C# and G# across multiple strings, creates a strong foundation for drone-based music, heavy riffs, or expansive, cinematic textures.

Technical Breakdown

The tuning for your Guitar is set to C#3 G#3 C#4 G#4 B3 C#5, which can also be expressed using flats as Db Ab Db Ab B Db. The original tuning description, "db ab db ab b db", accurately reflects this structure. From the lowest C#, the intervals are as follows:

• String 6 (C#3): The foundational root note.
• String 5 (G#3): A Perfect Fifth (P5) above the root C#, providing harmonic stability.
• String 4 (C#4): An Octave (P8) above the root, adding depth and resonance.
• String 3 (G#4): An Octave + Perfect Fifth (P12) from the root, further reinforcing the C#5 power chord.
• String 2 (B3): A Minor Seventh (m7) from the root C#. This note introduces a distinctive tension or a melancholic flavor to the open tuning.
• String 1 (C#5): A Double Octave (P15) above the root, completing the expansive sound.

The core of this tuning is built around a powerful C#5 chord (C# and G#) spread across four strings, reinforced by octaves. The inclusion of the B on the 2nd string gives the open tuning a flavor of a C#m7 (without the 3rd) or a C# dominant 7th (also without the 3rd). This creates a somewhat dark, open, and slightly unresolved quality that can be very evocative, perfect for atmospheric or heavy genres.

Chordal Possibilities

This tuning provides a wealth of unique harmonic opportunities due to its intervallic structure:

• Open Chord: Strumming all strings open yields a rich, full C# chord with a minor seventh (C# G# C# G# B C#). This is excellent for creating a grand, deep, and slightly melancholic or tense atmosphere.
• Power Chords & Drones: The repeated C# and G# notes on multiple strings make it incredibly easy to play powerful, resonant power chords by simply barring across frets. Lift your finger off the 2nd string (B) to get a pure C#5 sound, or integrate the B for a more complex voicing.
• Minor 7th Voicings: The open B string offers an immediate minor 7th against the C#. By fretting the B string to D# (3rd fret) you can achieve a C#sus2. Fretting to E (4th fret) would give you a C# minor triad (though the 5th is implied), offering a quick way to switch between tension and resolution.
• Accessible Shapes: Due to the nature of repeated notes and octaves, many complex-sounding chords can be achieved with simple fingerings. Experiment with barring the lower four strings and then adding notes on the B and high C# strings to discover new voicings and melodic possibilities over the drone.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Saturn's Gaze' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to reach C3#.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitones to reach G3#.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitones to reach C4#.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitones to reach G4#.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to reach C5#.

Note on String Gauge: The maximum change in this tuning is 3 semitones up or down. While these adjustments are generally manageable with standard string gauges, always exercise caution when tuning, especially when increasing string tension. If any string exceeds a tuning change of 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is typically advised for optimal playability and instrument safety. In this specific tuning, all movements are within the generally acceptable range for standard gauges.

String 6: C3#

String 5: G3#

String 4: C4#

String 3: G4#

String 2: B3

String 1: C5#