Tuning Analysis: Lixo e o Luxo Open C# Chord

Step into the sonic landscape of Charlie Brown Jr. with the "Lixo e o Luxo Open C# Chord" tuning. This distinctive setup, notably featured in their tracks "Lixo e o luxo" and "somos poucos mas somos loucos," provides a powerful, open-voiced foundation that is both heavy and harmonically rich.

Verbal Description

This tuning immediately strikes with a deep, resonant quality thanks to the low C# and G# octaves. It evokes a feeling of brooding intensity, perfect for grunge, alternative rock, or even some darker blues genres. The open strings ring out to form a variation of a C# chord, providing a natural, full sound that can be strummed openly or used as a drone. The presence of the B and D# notes on the higher strings adds a complex, slightly jazzy or dominant flavor, moving beyond a simple power chord. It's a tuning that encourages open string melodicism and heavy, driving riffs where the low end can truly shine. Chords played on the lower strings will have immense power and depth, while the higher strings allow for interesting harmonic extensions.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: C#3 G#3 C#4 G#4 B3 D#5.This arrangement creates a compelling open chord. Examining the intervals relative to the lowest C#:

• 6th String (C#3): Root
• 5th String (G#3): Perfect Fifth
• 4th String (C#4): Octave of the Root
• 3rd String (G#4): Octave of the Perfect Fifth
• 2nd String (B3): Minor Seventh
• 1st String (D#5): Major Ninth (or Major Second, an octave higher)

The open strings collectively form a C# dominant 9th chord without the major third (E#). This implies a powerful, somewhat ambiguous tonality that leans towards a bluesy or modern rock sound. The repeated C# and G# notes across multiple octaves make it incredibly easy to achieve thick, droning power chords simply by barring across the lower strings. For instance, a single finger across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings at any fret will yield a powerful root-fifth-root octave voicing. The addition of B and D# means that open chord voicings will naturally have a sophisticated, extended harmonic quality.

This tuning is particularly conducive to:

• Open Chords: The open C# (no 3rd) dominant 9th chord provides a rich foundation. Many common chord shapes will translate into interesting extensions or inversions.
• Power Chords: Simply barring the lower strings allows for easy and impactful power chords. For example, barring the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings at the 5th fret yields an F#5 chord.
• Riffs and Leads: The consistent C# and G# voicings make it simple to develop heavy, driving riffs on the lower strings, while the higher strings offer unique intervals for melodic lines that complement the dominant feel.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Lixo e o Luxo Open C# Chord" tuning from standard E Standard tuning, follow these precise adjustments. Please note the semitone movements carefully, as significant changes may require a different string gauge for optimal tension and intonation.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3. (Note: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate change; if this tuning is used frequently, a heavier gauge string for the low E might be beneficial for better tension.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitones to G#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitones to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitones to G#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5.

General string gauge advisory: For tunings that require moving a string more than 4 semitones up or down, it is typically recommended to use a different gauge string to ensure proper tension, intonation, and to prevent undue stress on the instrument. In this specific tuning, the largest change is 3 semitones down on the 6th string, which is within a manageable range for standard gauges but may benefit from a heavier low string for tighter feel.