Tuning Analysis: Collier 5-string (for 6-string)

As its whimsical name suggests, this tuning aims to bring the unique sonic palette of a 5-string guitar – often associated with artists like Jacob Collier – to a standard 6-string instrument. It's an ingenious way to explore new musical textures without needing specialized equipment, opening up creative possibilities that diverge significantly from standard EADGBe.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning transforms your 6-string guitar into a resonant soundscape, primarily centered around a rich D Major tonality. The open strings create a very full, almost piano-like voicing, making it highly suitable for open-string arpeggios, fingerstyle compositions, and lush chordal textures. The repetition of D notes and A notes across different octaves provides a powerful drone-like quality, allowing melodies and harmonies to sit on top of a stable tonal center. The most striking feature is the unison D4 on the first and second strings, which offers unique melodic and harmonic possibilities, allowing for interesting ringing tones and powerful double-stops. The overall feel is bright, open, and harmonically rich, perfect for modern jazz, folk, or experimental music.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: D2 A2 E3 A3 D4 D4.

Let's examine the intervals between the strings:

• 6th String (D2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (E3): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• 4th String (E3) to 3rd String (A3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 3rd String (A3) to 2nd String (D4): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 2nd String (D4) to 1st String (D4): Unison

This combination of two perfect fifths followed by two perfect fourths and a unison creates a unique voicing. The open strings D-A-E-A-D-D essentially form a rich Dadd9 (or D2) chord. The dominant D and A notes provide a strong D major foundation, while the E (the 9th) adds a beautiful, open harmonic extension.

Open Chords and Accessibility:

• Dadd9/D2 (D-A-E-A-D-D): The most obvious and resonant open chord, offering a full, ethereal sound perfect for atmospheric pads or intricate fingerpicking.
• D Major Triad (muted 4th string): By simply muting the 4th string (E3), you can achieve a very strong D Major chord (D-A-A-D-D), which is incredibly stable and full.
• Power Chords: The perfect fifth intervals between the lowest strings (D-A and A-E) make it easy to form powerful two-finger root-fifth power chords, useful for a heavier sound.
• Unison Drones: The identical D4 notes on the first and second strings allow for powerful unison bends, drones, and harmonized melodic lines that emphasize the D tonal center. This creates a distinctive, bell-like quality.
• Accessible Shapes: Many familiar shapes from standard tuning for the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings (E-A-D) will feel somewhat intuitive, as they are perfect fourths like G-B-E in standard. However, the bass strings and unison top strings demand new exploration for chord voicings and lead lines. This tuning is excellent for exploring modal harmonies and open-string voicings where the natural resonance of the guitar can shine.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Collier 5-string tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string movements. Please note that movements of up to 4 semitones are generally safe for standard string gauges, but always tune carefully and slowly, especially when increasing tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (Movement: -2 semitones)
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2. (Movement: 0 semitones)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. (Movement: +2 semitones)
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. (Movement: +2 semitones)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D4. (Movement: +3 semitones)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4. (Movement: -2 semitones)

All string movements are within the recommended safe range for standard gauge strings. However, always exercise caution when tuning up, and ensure your guitar's neck relief is checked periodically, especially with significant changes in string tension.

Open String Notes:

• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: D4
• String 1: D4