Verbal Analysis

The "C#m9" tuning immediately strikes the ear with a rich, sophisticated, and somewhat melancholic open chord. It creates a full C# minor 9th voicing across the open strings, making it an excellent choice for genres like jazz, blues, R&B, and atmospheric soundscapes where complex harmonies are desired without extensive fingering. This tuning encourages a unique approach to chord shapes and melodies, allowing for lush voicings that are often difficult to achieve in standard tuning. It's an inspiring tuning for exploration, inviting players to discover new harmonic possibilities and textures, from deeply resonant fingerstyle pieces to expansive, ambient pads. The creator's description of "Just messed around and got this" perfectly captures the serendipitous discovery of a harmonically rich and evocative tuning.

Technical Analysis

The open strings, from low to high, are tuned to C#3, G#3, D#4, E3, B3, C#5. Analyzing these notes reveals the following intervals relative to the lowest C# (String 6):

• String 6 (C#3): The foundational Root.
• String 5 (G#3): A perfect 5th above the root.
• String 4 (D#4): A Major 9th (or Major 2nd, an octave higher) above the root.
• String 3 (E3): A minor 3rd above the root.
• String 2 (B3): A minor 7th above the root.
• String 1 (C#5): An octave above the root.

This exact combination of notes forms a complete C# minor 9th chord (C# - E - G# - B - D#). The presence of the root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth provides a full, resonant chord. Because the open strings are a C#m9, this chord is instantly available with a rich, open voicing. Other related chords like C#m7 (by muting or avoiding the 4th string), G#7 (using String 5 as a potential root and adding a 3rd/7th), or even Emaj7 (using String 3 as a root) become easily accessible or can be formed with minimal finger movement due to the harmonic relationships between the open strings. The wide interval between the 3rd and 2nd strings (E to B, a perfect fifth) and the 2nd and 1st strings (B to C#, a major second) will open up interesting melodic and chordal possibilities, encouraging chord inversions and unique arpeggios that would be challenging in standard tuning.

Open String Notes

• String 6: C#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: D#4
• String 3: E3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: C#5

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the C#m9 tuning from a standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E to C#3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 5 (A to G#3): Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 4 (D to D#4): Tune up 1 semitones.
• String 3 (G to E3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E to C#5): Tune down 3 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings significantly (generally more than 4 semitones up or down), it is often advisable to consider adjusting your string gauge to maintain proper string tension and intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage. For this specific "C#m9" tuning, all string movements are within 3 semitones. These adjustments typically fall within a safe range for standard guitar string gauges, minimizing the risk of issues.