Tuning Analysis: Open E Major 6/9 Tuning

This unique guitar tuning, which the creator aptly named "before i forget", offers a rich, open sound, resonating with bright and shimmery qualities. It fundamentally sets the guitar up as an open E Major 6/9 chord, providing a wide harmonic palette straight from the open strings. The significant tuning changes on several strings suggest a deliberate effort to achieve a specific, resonant voicing.

Verbal Analysis

The Open E Major 6/9 Tuning, with its high F#5 and B4, projects a very bright and ethereal character. Strumming the open strings immediately yields a full, complex E Major chord enhanced with the sweetness of a major sixth (C#) and the richness of a major second/ninth (F#). This creates a soundscape that is both familiar and sophisticated, reminiscent of lush pop, jazz, or even ambient soundscapes. The arrangement of notes, particularly the wide intervals between the lower strings and the higher, allows for interesting melodic possibilities and chord voicings that would be challenging in standard tuning. It would lend itself well to fingerstyle playing, arpeggios, and slide guitar, where the open chord resonance can truly shine.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to C#3, G#3, E3, B3, F#5, B4 (from 6th to 1st string). When these notes are arranged chromatically and considered from an E root, they resolve to E, G#, B, C#, F#. This structure forms an E Major chord (E-G#-B) with an added Major 6th (C#) and a Major 2nd/9th (F#), hence the "E Major 6/9" designation. The voicing is particularly interesting due to the low C# and G# supporting the E, and the high F#5 and B4 adding sparkle. This means that simply strumming the open strings produces a rich Emaj6/9 chord.

Chords that are immediately accessible or made easier:

• E Major and its Extensions: The open strings inherently form an Emaj6/9. Fretting around the 12th fret will give you higher octaves of the same chord, while barring across certain frets can create other E-based voicings (e.g., a simple fret at the 2nd fret would give an F#maj6/9 or related chord).
• Relative Minor (C# minor): Given the low C# on the 6th string, C# minor and its extensions could be easily voiced. The E, G#, B are already present, forming a C# minor triad with the C#.
• Chordal Embellishments: The open intervals allow for easy creation of drone-like textures. Sliding into chords or using a slide for blues and roots music would be particularly effective.

The tuning spans a broad range, from C#3 on the low end to F#5 on the high end, offering a full sonic spectrum for diverse musical expressions.

How to Tune

Please be aware of the string movements, especially for significant changes. Tuning up or down more than 4 semitones from standard may require a different string gauge to prevent breakage or excessive tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#3. (This change is moderate and generally safe.)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3. (This change is minor and generally safe.)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. (This change is moderate and generally safe.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 4 semitones to B3. (This is a significant change. Proceed with caution. A heavier gauge string for this position may be advised.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 7 semitones to F#5. (This is a very significant change. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised for this position to prevent breakage and to ensure proper intonation.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 7 semitones to B4. (This is a very significant change. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised for this position to prevent breakage and to ensure proper intonation.)