Tuning Overview: C 6/9

This unique Guitar tuning, aptly named "C 6/9", is cited as a signature sound for the band Hot Mulligan, featuring prominently in many of their songs. It offers a rich, full-bodied chord voicing right from the open strings, making it a powerful foundation for various musical styles, particularly those leaning into modern rock and emo-influenced genres.

Technical Analysis

The open tuning presents the notes D1-A2-C3-G3-C4-E4 from the 6th (lowest) to the 1st (highest) string. When played open, these notes collectively form a glorious C6/9 chord. This is a very harmonious and complete voicing:

• String 4 (C3) and String 2 (C4) provide the root.
• String 1 (E4) provides the major third.
• String 3 (G3) provides the perfect fifth.
• String 5 (A2) provides the major sixth.
• String 6 (D1) provides the major ninth (or second).

The presence of multiple octaves of C, along with the E (major 3rd), G (perfect 5th), A (major 6th), and D (major 9th), means you have a complete and resonant chord at your fingertips without fretting a single note. This facilitates easy access to diatonic chords within the C major scale, and offers a strong tonal center. It also opens up possibilities for interesting drone notes and pedal tones. Barre chords will instantly yield rich, extended voicings, and power chords will benefit from the low D string adding a deep, resonant quality, particularly useful for heavier riffs.

How to Tune Your Guitar to C 6/9

To achieve the C 6/9 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments carefully:

• String 6 (Low E): Starting from your Low E string, tune it up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is D1.
• String 5 (A): Keep this string as is; there is no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is A2.
• String 4 (D): Starting from your D string, tune it down 2 semitones. The target note for this string is C3.
• String 3 (G): Keep this string as is; there is no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is G3.
• String 2 (B): Starting from your B string, tune it up 1 semitone. The target note for this string is C4.
• String 1 (High E): Keep this string as is; there is no change (0 semitones). The target note for this string is E4.

Important Note: For any tuning adjustments exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to avoid potential damage to your guitar or string breakage, and to ensure optimal playability and tone. In this particular tuning, all movements are within a safe range for standard string gauges.

String 6 (Low E String): Tuned to D1
String 5 (A String): Tuned to A2
String 4 (D String): Tuned to C3
String 3 (G String): Tuned to G3
String 2 (B String): Tuned to C4
String 1 (High E String): Tuned to E4