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

C#G#D#G#G#C# | D♭A♭E♭A♭A♭D♭ Open C#sus2 Double G# - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Open C#sus2 Double G#

This came up from throwing on capo 1 on a CGDGGC tuned guitar for a song I was writing but I wanted to play in E major. The double G#s really play nicely into that key, as you'd imagine.

This unique tuning, aptly named Open C#sus2 double G#, transforms your guitar into a resonant soundscape, particularly tailored for exploring the key of E Major, as noted in its original description. The open strings themselves immediately form a rich C#sus2 chord (C#, G#, D#, G#, G#, C#), providing a lush and open quality perfect for droning, fingerstyle, or slide playing.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine strumming the open strings and hearing a shimmering, suspended chord that instantly evokes a dreamy or introspective mood. The 'double G#'s across the 5th, 3rd, and 2nd strings (two of them an octave apart, the 3rd and 2nd strings are in unison) create a powerful, resonant major third interval when played against an E root, giving your E Major compositions a strong, grounded feel. The repeated C# notes (low 6th and high 1st string) offer a wide, bell-like quality, while the D# (on the 4th string) provides that characteristic suspended 2nd flavor, which is also the leading tone of E Major. This tuning encourages creative harmonic movement, where moving just a single finger can drastically change the chord, or where open drones can provide a constant backdrop for melodic ideas.

Technical Analysis

Open Chord: The open strings (C#3, G#3, D#4, G#4, G#4, C#5) form an unambiguous C#sus2 chord. This is built from the root (C#), perfect fifth (G#), and major second (D#). The presence of two G#s in unison and an octave C# adds depth and resonance.
Key Compatibility: As intended, this tuning is highly compatible with the E Major scale (E F# G# A B C# D#). All open notes (C#, G#, D#) are diatonic to E Major, making it exceptionally easy to compose or improvise within this key.
Accessible Chords:
- C#sus2: Readily available with open strings.
- Power Chords: C#5 (C# G# C#) and G#5 (G# D# G#) are easily formed by muting or fretting combinations of the open strings.
- E Major/Minor Voicings: While not an open E Major/Minor, the strong G# (major third of E) and C# (sixth of E) make it very easy to find E Major voicings. For example, by fretting the 6th string to E (4th fret) and 5th string to B (4th fret), you can quickly establish an E chord base with the open D#, G#, C# ringing out, creating rich extensions. The D# (4th string) is the leading tone of E, making it powerful for resolving to E.
- Drone & Melody: The multiple octaves and unisons (G#s and C#s) make this tuning excellent for drone-based music or for playing melodic lines that stand out against a rich harmonic backdrop.

Tuning Notes

String 6 (Low E): C3#
String 5 (A): G3#
String 4 (D): D4#
String 3 (G): G4#
String 2 (B): G4#
String 1 (High E): C5#

How to Tune

To achieve the Open C#sus2 double G# tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning:

String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#3.
String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitone from A to G#3.
String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone from D to D#4.
String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone from G to G#4.
String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4.
String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#5.

Important Note: While most string adjustments are within a safe range, tuning strings up (String 4 and 3) slightly increases tension. Similarly, tuning down significantly (Strings 6, 2, 1) will reduce tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, a different string gauge is generally advised. In this tuning, all movements are within 3 semitones, but always exercise caution and ensure your guitar's neck relief is properly set.