Tuning Description: Jacob Collier's Open G#sus4b7

Dive into the unique sonic world of Jacob Collier with this fascinating open tuning, famously showcased by him at the Yamaha booth. As described by Jacob, this isn't your average open chord; it's a gateway to complex harmonies and resonant soundscapes, characteristic of Collier's innovative musical style.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning transforms your guitar into an open G#sus4b7 chord, meaning when strummed open, all strings combine to form a G# suspended 4th with a flat 7th. The full voicing from low to high is C#3 - G#3 - D#4 - F#4 - G#4 - C#5. Let's break down the intervals between the strings:

• String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (G#3): A perfect fifth (P5). This provides a strong, foundational interval.
• String 5 (G#3) to String 4 (D#4): Another perfect fifth (P5). The consecutive perfect fifths create a powerful, resonant bottom end, echoing power chord voicings.
• String 4 (D#4) to String 3 (F#4): A minor third (m3). This is a tighter interval, introducing a unique tension.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (G#4): A major second (M2). This creates a very close, almost cluster-like voicing with the preceding minor third, adding a rich harmonic density.
• String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (C#5): A perfect fourth (P4). This interval completes the upper register with a classic, stable sound.

The overall intervallic structure (P5, P5, m3, M2, P4) is unconventional for typical open tunings, contributing to its distinct sound. The presence of the 4th (C# relative to G#), 5th (D# relative to G#), and b7 (F# relative to G#) without a major or minor 3rd defines its suspended dominant 7th character. The repeated G# and C# notes across different octaves (G# on strings 5 and 2, C# on strings 6 and 1) further enhance its full and resonant quality.

Open Chords & Playing Potential:

With this tuning, your guitar is instantly transformed into a G#sus4b7 chord when strummed open. This provides an excellent base for:

• Rich, Open Harmonies: Strumming all strings open creates a full, jazz-influenced chord.
• Easy Barring: Barring across any single fret will produce a suspended 7th chord in that root. For example, barring at the 1st fret gives you an Asus4b7, at the 2nd fret a Bbsus4b7, and at the 4th fret, a C#sus4b7 (a perfect fifth above the open G#).
• Melodic Exploration: The tight intervals on the middle strings (D#4, F#4, G#4) offer unique opportunities for melodic lines and chord voicings that are not typically available in standard tuning. The open nature encourages drone-like playing and intricate fingerstyle patterns.
• Modal Adventures: The lack of a definitive major or minor third in the open tuning makes it highly versatile for exploring various modes and scales without immediately committing to a specific tonality.

This tuning is perfect for players looking to explore modern jazz, fusion, or simply seeking a fresh, resonant sound palette.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Jacob Collier's G#sus4b7:

To achieve this unique tuning, adjust each string from its standard EADGBe pitch as follows. Always use a reliable tuner for accuracy.

• String 6 (Low E String): Tune to C3#. This involves tuning down 3 semitones from its standard E pitch.
• String 5 (A String): Tune to G3#. This involves tuning down 1 semitone from its standard A pitch.
• String 4 (D String): Tune to D4#. This involves tuning up 1 semitone from its standard D pitch.
• String 3 (G String): Tune to F4#. This involves tuning down 1 semitone from its standard G pitch.
• String 2 (B String): Tune to G4#. This involves tuning down 3 semitones from its standard B pitch.
• String 1 (High E String): Tune to C5#. This involves tuning down 3 semitones from its standard high E pitch.

Important Note: While none of the individual string movements exceed a 4 semitone change, always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage, especially when tuning up. For optimal results, ensure your guitar's intonation is checked after significant tuning changes.