Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning, famously used by Kotaro Oshio for his track "Brand New Wings", offers a bright, open, and resonant sound ideal for fingerstyle guitar. Its unconventional string relationships create a rich harmonic landscape, allowing for flowing arpeggios and intricate melodic lines that shimmer with sustain. The tuning feels very open, making it easy to evoke an expansive, almost orchestral quality, perfect for expressive, modern acoustic pieces.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning are C#3, G#3, E3, F#4, B3, E4 (from the lowest 6th string to the highest 1st string). An immediate technical observation is the re-entrant nature of the tuning, where the 4th string (E3) is tuned lower in pitch than the 5th string (G#3). This creates interesting intervallic possibilities and voicings that deviate from standard ascending pitch order, which is a hallmark of many advanced fingerstyle tunings.

Analyzing the open strings, we find the notes:

• String 6 (lowest): C#3
• String 5: G#3
• String 4: E3
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1 (highest): E4

When strummed open, these notes collectively form an Emaj6/9 chord (E, G#, B, C#, F#, E). This rich, extended chord provides a beautiful harmonic foundation. Specifically:

• The lowest three strings (C#3, G#3, E3) already create an E major triad (E, G#, C#) in second inversion.
• The presence of F# (the 9th) and C# (the 6th) over an E major triad opens up lush harmonic possibilities without fretting a single note.
• Common open chord shapes will feel very different; for instance, traditional G or C shapes will likely not translate directly. However, the Emaj6/9 provides a fantastic starting point for fingerstyle compositions, allowing for intricate arpeggios that highlight the extensions. Many chords can be formed by simply fretting one or two strings, often resulting in complex major or dominant 7th chords with added tensions (9ths, 13ths) rooted on E or C# (E's relative minor).
• The re-entrant G#3-E3 interval on strings 5 and 4 will require a fresh approach to bass lines and arpeggiation patterns, offering unique melodic counterpoints and unexpected voicings.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires careful adjustment from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Please follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G#.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Note on String Tension: The tuning movements for this setup are generally within a safe range for standard gauge strings. Always exercise caution when tuning up, especially for changes of 3 or 4 semitones. For any changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to consider a different string gauge to avoid excessive tension or looseness and potential string breakage.

6th String: C#3

5th String: G#3

4th String: E3

3rd String: F#4

2nd String: B3

1st String: E4