Martin Carthy Tuning: A Detailed Analysis

The Martin Carthy Tuning, named after the influential British folk musician, offers a distinctive and resonant sonic landscape, characteristic of traditional folk and acoustic music. It centers around a D tonality, but with a unique harmonic twist provided by the prominent Major 7th (C#). This creates an open, almost modal quality, ideal for rich drone sounds, intricate fingerstyle patterns, and compelling melodic lines.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: From low to high, the strings are tuned to D2, A2, D3, C#4, A3, C#5.
• Low-End Foundation (Strings 6, 5, 4): The bottom three strings form a powerful D-A-D voicing (D2-A2-D3). This creates a strong D5 power chord, providing a solid, resonant foundation for rhythm and bass lines. The intervals are a perfect 5th (D2 to A2) and a perfect 4th (A2 to D3), reinforcing the D root.
• Unique Middle Voice (Strings 4, 3, 2): The sequence D3-C#4-A3 is particularly noteworthy. The jump from D3 to C#4 is a wide Major 7th (11 semitones), creating a bright, almost dissonant yet harmonically rich texture. Following this, the 2nd string (A3) is tuned a minor 3rd lower than the 3rd string (C#4), adding a unique compression to the middle voices compared to standard tuning.
• Bright Treble (Strings 2, 1): The top two strings, A3 and C#5, form a compound Major 3rd (Major 10th). This interval reinforces the D major tonality and adds a sparkling, clear treble, complementing the lower D-A-D drone.
• Overall Chordal Implication: The open strings, when strummed, primarily present the notes D, A, and C#. This strongly implies a D5(maj7) chord (D-A-C#), giving the tuning its characteristic open, bright, and slightly sophisticated feel. It avoids a traditional open major or minor chord, inviting exploration of more modal or intervallic playing.

Chords and Playability

This tuning is highly effective for drone-based playing and fingerstyle arrangements. The open D-A-D on the lower strings makes it easy to achieve ringing power chords and bass lines. Barre chords across these lower strings will quickly yield different root-5th-root combinations. The presence of C# on the 3rd and 1st strings, combined with A on the 2nd, opens up possibilities for suspended voicings and major 7th chords that might be cumbersome in standard tuning. Experimenting with partial chords, allowing the open C# notes to ring as drones against moving bass lines, will unlock the full potential of this unique tuning. It encourages a departure from standard chord shapes, leading to fresh melodic and harmonic ideas.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Martin Carthy Tuning

To achieve the Martin Carthy Tuning, adjust your guitar strings according to the following instructions:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at A2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 6 semitones to C#4. Caution Advised: Tuning this string down by 6 semitones is a very significant change. We recommend considering a lighter gauge string for the 3rd string to maintain appropriate string tension, prevent excessive slack, and ensure better intonation.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

String 6: Tuned to D2 (the lowest note).

String 5: Tuned to A2.

String 4: Tuned to D3.

String 3: Tuned to C#4.

String 2: Tuned to A3.

String 1: Tuned to C#5 (the highest note).