Tuning Overview: Lung Tuning

The "Lung Tuning," uniquely named and described as a creation by "the lung man," presents an intriguing and highly individualistic approach to guitar tuning. This custom tuning deviates significantly from standard voicings, creating a distinctive sonic landscape that is bright, open, and remarkably resonant. It encourages players to explore unique harmonic possibilities and modal textures, making it ideal for those seeking a fresh and expressive sound.

Technical Analysis

The "Lung Tuning" sets the open strings from lowest to highest as D2 A2 C#4 F#4 B3 C#5. When compared to the standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E), this tuning involves the following specific alterations:

• String 6 (Low E): Tuned down a whole step from E2 to D2.
• String 5 (A): Remains at A2, consistent with standard.
• String 4 (D): Tuned down a half step from D4 to C#4.
• String 3 (G): Tuned down a half step from G4 to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Remains at B3, consistent with standard.
• String 1 (High E): Tuned down a minor third from E5 to C#5.

The open string notes (D, A, C#, F#, B, C#) form a rich and complex harmonic cluster. When arranged, these notes (D, F#, A, B, C#) strongly suggest a D major tonality, specifically a Dmaj7(add6) or a Dmaj13 (without the 9th) chord. This results in a bright, almost Lydian-like quality, with the open D2 and A2 providing a strong, resonant bass foundation. The presence of two C# notes (C#4 and C#5) reinforces the major seventh quality and adds significant sparkle and sustain.

The intervals between strings are highly irregular:

• 6th to 5th (D2 to A2): A perfect fifth.
• 5th to 4th (A2 to C#4): A major tenth (a major third spanning an octave). This is a very wide jump, creating a significant registral gap.
• 4th to 3rd (C#4 to F#4): A perfect fourth.
• 3rd to 2nd (F#4 to B3): A perfect fifth down (or a perfect fourth up an octave). Another significant shift in pitch direction.
• 2nd to 1st (B3 to C#5): A major ninth (a major second spanning an octave).

Due to these unique and wide intervalic relationships, traditional chord shapes from standard tuning will not translate. This tuning encourages an arpeggiated approach, fingerstyle playing, and the strategic use of open string drones to exploit its inherent resonance. Open chords will naturally possess a rich, extended sound. For instance, the open strings themselves form a beautiful, open Dmaj7(add6) chord, perfect for atmospheric or ambient music. Simple shapes can yield surprising voicings; an open A major triad (A-C#-E) could be achieved by utilizing the open 5th and 4th strings (A, C#) and fretting the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (G#) and the 1st string at the 2nd fret (D#), for example.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Lung Tuning" from standard E Standard, follow these precise adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

All string adjustments in this tuning are within a moderate range (-3 to 0 semitones). Therefore, using your standard string gauge should be perfectly acceptable without risk of excessive tension or slack. However, always exercise care and tune slowly, especially when altering string pitch.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.

String 5 (A): Kept as is, no change from A2 to A2.

String 4 (D): Tuned down 1 semitone from D4 to C#4.

String 3 (G): Tuned down 1 semitone from G4 to F#4.

String 2 (B): Kept as is, no change from B3 to B3.

String 1 (High E): Tuned down 3 semitones from E5 to C#5.