C#G#D#FG#C# Guitar Tuner

C#G#D#FG#C# | D♭A♭E♭FA♭D♭ Two Weeks <3 - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Two Weeks <3

This tuning is Devin Townsends song Two Weeks on the album Alien from his older band Strapping Young Lad. I shifted all the notes to that songs arpeggio, played slowly, so that one would not have to form the chord shape in standard (which I found annoying to do). It is down three semitones compared to that song (so as not to snap the strings), so clamp the third fret if need be.

Tuning Analysis: Two Weeks <3

This unique tuning, affectionately named "Two Weeks <3" by its creator, is a direct homage to Devin Townsend's work with Strapping Young Lad, specifically the song "Two Weeks" from the album "Alien". The tuning has been meticulously crafted to represent the song's arpeggio in an open position, allowing players to achieve complex voicings without the arduous finger stretches required in standard tuning.

Verbal Analysis

The core philosophy behind this tuning is player convenience and sonic authenticity. By shifting the notes to an open arpeggio, the creator aimed to alleviate the difficulty of forming the specific chord shapes from the original song in standard tuning. This means that simply strumming the open strings will yield a rich, characteristic sound that immediately evokes the song's atmosphere. While the original song's key might be higher, this version has been tuned down three semitones overall to ensure string integrity and playability, with the recommendation to capo at the third fret if the original pitch is desired. This lower overall pitch suggests a heavy, resonant sound, well-suited for progressive metal or atmospheric rock.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: C#3, G#3, D#4, F3, G#4, C#5. When viewed in sequence from lowest to highest, these pitches reveal a sophisticated harmonic structure:

Low C#3 (6th string)
G#3 (5th string) - A Perfect 5th above the 6th string, forming a strong power chord base.
D#4 (4th string) - A Major 2nd above the lowest C#3 (ignoring the octave jump). This interval adds a distinct color and tension to the chord.
F3 (3rd string) - Notably, this note is lower than the 4th string's D#4. Relative to the lowest C#3, this is a Major 3rd.
G#4 (2nd string) - An octave above the 5th string's G#3, reinforcing the Perfect 5th from the root and adding brilliance.
C#5 (1st string) - An octave above the 6th string's C#3, completing the root octave and providing a clear, high voicing.

When played open, these strings (C#, D#, F, G# across various octaves) form a rich C# Major (add9) chord. This specific voicing, with the D# (Major 9th), adds a complex, slightly suspended, and very full character to the open strum. The arrangement of notes, especially the F3 being lower than D#4, creates unique harmonic possibilities and makes for easy voicings for specific arpeggios or melodic lines, true to the tuning's purpose. Power chords on the lower strings (e.g., barring the 6th and 5th strings for C#5) will sound exceptionally powerful and resonant. The overall rich harmonic content means that barring across any fret will instantly produce parallel Major (add9) chords (e.g., barring at the first fret yields Dmaj(add9), at the second fret D#maj(add9), etc.), providing a wide palette for melodic and harmonic exploration within this specific chord quality. The decision to tune down overall by three semitones (requiring a capo at the third fret for original pitch) also enhances string tension for heavier gauges, though the individual string movements detailed below are mostly within standard string gauge tolerance.

Tuning Notes and How to Tune Your Guitar

This section details the final notes for each string in the "Two Weeks <3" tuning and provides instructions on how to achieve this tuning. The tuning notes are listed from the thickest (6th) string to the thinnest (1st) string.

Tuning Notes:

6th String (Low E): C#3
5th String (A): G#3
4th String (D): D#4
3rd String (G): F3
2nd String (B): G#4
1st String (High E): C#5

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Two Weeks <3" tuning, apply the following adjustments to each string. Note that these movements are specific instructions to reach the target note. While the individual string adjustments are within a safe range for standard guitar strings, the overall tuning is quite low. For optimal tone, feel, and string tension, especially if you plan to play extensively in this low tuning, considering a slightly heavier gauge of strings might enhance your playing experience.