This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "Antoine Tuning" and inspired by Antoine Dufour's intricate composition "Catching the Light," offers a distinct sonic landscape for intricate fingerstyle playing. It predominantly features several lowered strings, creating a rich, resonant foundation with intriguing harmonic possibilities.

Technically, this 6-string Guitar tuning sets the open strings to D2 A2 C4# E3 B3 E4. While not forming a conventional open major or minor chord, the presence of D, A, and C# strongly suggests a D major 7th tonality. The additional E and B notes further extend this, providing a sophisticated Dmaj7add9add13 arpeggio or complex voicings. This configuration encourages open, ringing drone notes and harmonic layering, making it particularly well-suited for exploring modern acoustic compositions and creating unique soundscapes. It's a tuning that invites exploration of its resonant qualities and wide intervallic possibilities.

How to Tune

To achieve Antoine Tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please be mindful that significant changes (exceeding 4 semitones up or down from standard) may require a different string gauge or could risk string breakage and potential damage to your instrument.

• For the 6th String (standard Low E2), tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• For the 5th String (standard A2), keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at A2.
• For the 4th String (standard D3), tune down 1 semitone. This movement would typically result in C#3. However, the target note for this string, as specified in the tuning notes, is C4#. Please be aware that tuning from D3 to C4# represents a substantial 11-semitone increase. This is well beyond recommended limits for a standard string gauge and can cause string breakage or damage to the instrument. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string or consult a luthier if C4# is the desired target.
• For the 3rd String (standard G3), tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• For the 2nd String (standard B3), keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at B3.
• For the 1st String (standard High E4), keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at E4.