About NAYUTA Tuning

The "NAYUTA" tuning, famously used by acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Kotaro Oshio, is a distinctive and highly expressive open tuning for acoustic guitar. Far from a conventional open chord tuning, NAYUTA creates a rich and sometimes tension-filled harmonic landscape, meticulously crafted to facilitate Oshio's intricate compositions.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for NAYUTA tuning are: C#3, G#3, D#4, F#4, C4, D#5 (from the lowest string to the highest string). This tuning features a unique blend of intervals between adjacent strings:

• String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (G#3): A Perfect Fifth (+7 semitones). This interval establishes a strong, foundational tonal base.
• String 5 (G#3) to String 4 (D#4): A Perfect Fifth (+7 semitones). Continuing the robust open sound in the lower register.
• String 4 (D#4) to String 3 (F#4): A Minor Third (+3 semitones). This introduces a slightly darker, more chromatic interval compared to the open fifths.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (C4): An Augmented Fourth / Diminished Fifth (Tritone) (+6 semitones). This is a highly characteristic and tension-inducing interval, offering a bluesy, jazzy, or modern classical flavor that defines much of the tuning's character.
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (D#5): A Major Second (+2 semitones). The top two strings are relatively close in pitch, facilitating interesting voicings and drone possibilities.

Harmonically, the open strings (C# G# D# F# C D#) do not form a simple major or minor triad, indicating its bespoke nature for specific pieces. The lower three strings (C# G# D#) create a powerful C#5 chord with an added 9th (D#). The inclusion of both C# (on string 6) and C natural (on string 2) creates a striking semitone clash, often employed for bluesy tension, microtonal inflections, or to imply a flexible harmonic center. The overall sonic palette is open, suspended, and slightly dissonant, suggesting modal or contemporary harmonic approaches rather than conventional Western harmony.

Chordal Possibilities and Musical Shapes

Due to its unique structure, this tuning lends itself exceptionally well to:

• Power Chords: The strong perfect fifths on the lower strings make robust power chords easily accessible with minimal fingering.
• Suspended Chords: The frequent major second and perfect fourth intervals will naturally yield suspended (sus2, sus4) voicings, contributing to an open and airy sound.
• Drone Textures: The presence of repeated notes (D# on strings 4 and 1, albeit at different octaves) and the overall open, spread-out nature allows for resonant drone effects, adding depth to melodies.
• Complex Voicings: Players can explore rich, non-standard voicings with added tensions due to the inherent intervals, particularly the prominent tritone (F# to C) and the C/C# semitone relationship.
• Melodic Lines: The relative closeness of some strings (e.g., C4 to D#5) makes melodic runs across strings fluid, while larger intervals facilitate expansive arpeggiated figures and open string accompaniment.

How to Tune Your Guitar to NAYUTA

To achieve the NAYUTA tuning, adjust your guitar strings from standard EADGBe tuning as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially with upward string tension adjustments. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised to prevent breakage, poor intonation, or potential damage to your instrument.

• String 6 (Low E, typically E2): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note for this string is C#3.
• String 5 (A, typically A2): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is G#3.
• String 4 (D, typically D3): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is D#4.
• String 3 (G, typically G3): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is F#4.
• String 2 (B, typically B3): Tune up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is C4.
• String 1 (High E, typically E4): Tune down 1 semitone. The target note for this string is D#5.

String 6: C#3

String 5: G#3

String 4: D#4

String 3: F#4

String 2: C4

String 1: D#5