About the Beauty Tuning

The Beauty tuning for Guitar is an inspiring and somewhat adventurous tuning. As its name suggests, it aims for a beautiful, rich sound, but it does come with a cautionary note regarding string tension. The tuning description aptly warns of "chances of breaking strings, but worth it" – a testament to its unique character and the effort required to achieve it.

Technical Analysis: Open Notes and Intervals

The open notes for the Beauty tuning are:

• 6th String (Low E): D2
• 5th String (A): A2
• 4th String (D): F#4
• 3rd String (G): A3
• 2nd String (B): D4
• 1st String (High E): E4

This configuration presents a fascinating harmonic landscape. Observing the notes D-A-F#-A-D across the first five strings (excluding the highest E4), we find a robust and full D Major chord spanning multiple octaves. The low D2 and A2 provide a strong foundation, while the F#4, A3, and D4 fill out the upper registers. The presence of E4 on the highest string adds a distinctive flavor, creating an open Dadd9 chord (D-A-F#-A-D-E). This open voicing offers a rich, resonant sound ideal for strumming, fingerpicking, and creating ambient textures.

Chordal Possibilities and Playability

The Dadd9 nature of the open tuning means that a simple strum will immediately yield a beautiful, full chord. This can be a great starting point for songwriting, allowing for immediate melodic and harmonic exploration. Due to the consistent intervals (excluding the high E), a single-finger barre across all strings at any fret will easily produce different add9 chords, making transposition up and down the neck relatively straightforward for this specific chord type.

For example:

• A barre at the 2nd fret would yield an Eadd9.
• A barre at the 3rd fret would yield an Fadd9.

Exploring minor chords or other voicings will likely require more intricate fingerings, but the open Dadd9 provides a solid sonic center.

Important Considerations: String Tension

As noted in the tuning description, some string adjustments involve significant tension changes. While the lowest and highest strings remain at their standard pitch, the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings are tuned up by 4, 2, and 3 semitones respectively. The 4th string, in particular, is tuned up 4 semitones (from D to F#), which is a considerable upward adjustment. We strongly advise exercising caution during the tuning process. If you notice excessive tension or hear any concerning noises, proceed carefully.

How to Tune to Beauty

To achieve the Beauty tuning, carefully adjust each string from standard EADGBe tuning according to the instructions below. Please exercise caution, especially with upward tension changes.

• 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 4 semitones to F#4. (Movement: 4 semitones) (Note: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change; proceed with care. Generally, for changes of 4 semitones or more, particularly upwards, monitoring string tension is crucial.)
• 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): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4. (Movement: 0 semitones)