Tuning Analysis: mrmraum

The 'mrmraum' tuning is a unique and intriguing setup for the guitar, designed to facilitate a blend of strong fundamental 'quint chords' and immediate, rich 'clusters' with 'minor second' intervals. This tuning is not for the faint of heart, offering a sonic landscape that is both powerful and dissonant, perfect for experimental or heavy genres looking for unique voicings and textures.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning instantly grants access to a deep, resonant low end thanks to the drop to D on the 6th string, reinforcing the D-A-D structure. The interaction between the 3rd (A3) and 2nd (A4#) strings creates a jarring, yet musical, minor second interval (A to A#), which is the core of the described 'clusters'. This provides an inherent tension and density to open voicings. The high string's D5# complements the lower D's but creates new harmonic possibilities, moving away from conventional major/minor structures. Players will find this excellent for creating drone-based music, heavy riffs with a dissonant edge, or exploring soundscapes where open string harmonics and clusters are key. It encourages a less conventional approach to chord-making and lends itself to percussive or ambient textures.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are D2-A2-D3-A3-A4#-D5#. Let's break down the intervals:

• 6th String (D2): The lowest note, providing a solid foundation.
• 5th String (A2): A perfect fifth above D2 (7 semitones).
• 4th String (D3): A perfect fourth above A2 (5 semitones), creating an octave D with the 6th string.
• 3rd String (A3): A perfect fifth above D3 (7 semitones), reinforcing the D-A relationship.
• 2nd String (A4#): A minor second (1 semitone) above A3. This is the primary 'cluster' interval, generating significant tension.
• 1st String (D5#): A perfect fourth above A4# (5 semitones).

Open Chord Voicings & Shapes:

• Root D Power Chord: The D2-A2-D3-A3 sequence on the lower four strings immediately offers a strong Dsus2 voicing (D-A-D-A), providing a powerful, open-string drone or 'quint chord' foundation.
• Cluster Chords: The A3-A4# on the 3rd and 2nd strings creates an immediate, open minor second cluster. When combined with the D-A-D-A on the lower strings, the full open chord (D-A-D-A-A#-D#) is a highly dissonant, complex voicing that defies simple categorization. This is where the 'easy clusters' come into play, as these dissonances are built right into the open tuning.
• Movable Shapes: Due to the consistent perfect 4th interval between the top two strings (A# to D#), and the D-A-D-A structure below the cluster, players can easily transpose these shapes up and down the fretboard, creating parallel dissonant chords or melodic lines that maintain the tuning's unique harmonic character. Barring across all strings will result in thick, clustered chords, rich with tension.

Final Tuning Notes

Here are the target notes for each string:

• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: A4#
• String 1: D5#

How to Tune

To achieve the 'mrmraum' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements. Please use a reliable tuner for accuracy and exercise caution, especially when tuning strings up.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. This is a moderate drop, well within safe limits for standard string gauges.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. This is a moderate increase. While generally safe, always tune slowly.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A4#. This is a slight adjustment, easily achieved.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D5#. This is a slight adjustment, easily achieved.

Important Note on String Gauges: While all movements for this particular tuning are within a safe range for typical string gauges (generally advised against movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down), always be mindful of your instrument's limits. For tunings involving more extreme shifts (e.g., more than 4 semitones up or down), a different string gauge might be advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent damage to your guitar.