Verbal & Technical Analysis

This unique 6-string Guitar tuning, named A# Sixth/Ninth Open Tuning, transforms your instrument into a rich, resonant soundscape. The open strings are tuned to D2, A#3, F3, G3, C4, F4. As its name suggests, the tuning is built around an A# major sixth-ninth (A#maj9) chord. The open strings A# (5th string), F (4th string), G (3rd string), C (2nd string), and F (1st string) beautifully outline an A#maj9 chord (A#-D-F-G-C), with the low D (6th string) providing a deep, foundational major third to the A# or a versatile root for other harmonic possibilities.

Technically, the intervals between strings are quite diverse, creating unique harmonic possibilities:

• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A#3): A minor 6th (9 semitones)
• String 5 (A#3) to String 4 (F3): A perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 4 (F3) to String 3 (G3): A major 2nd (2 semitones)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (C4): A perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (F4): A perfect 4th (5 semitones)

This arrangement allows for lush voicings and easy access to a variety of chords. With the open strings forming an A#maj9, simply barring across any fret will yield a transposed major ninth chord (e.g., barring at fret 1 yields Bmaj9, fret 2 yields Cmaj9, and so on). The repeated F on the 4th and 1st strings adds harmonic density, while the low D offers a powerful, alternative bass note for walking bass lines or drone effects. This tuning lends itself well to genres requiring expansive, rich chordal textures, such as jazz, fusion, or ambient music, and can inspire creative melodic and harmonic explorations.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the A# Sixth/Ninth Open Tuning, begin from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitones to A#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 3 semitones to F3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitones to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 1 semitones to F4.

Note that none of the string movements exceed 4 semitones up or down, so a change in string gauge is generally not advised for this tuning.