The "Hypnos" tuning is a captivating and unique open tuning for the guitar, designed to evoke a dreamlike and expansive sound. Named after the Greek god of sleep, it indeed has a contemplative and ethereal quality. Technically, the open strings are tuned to D2 B2 D3 F#4 F#5 D4, forming a rich, open D Major 6th chord with some interesting octave displacements. This means that simply strumming all open strings produces a full, resonant, and consonant sound with an inherent major tonality.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a serene soundscape; "Hypnos" offers a bright yet sophisticated character, reminiscent of film scores, ambient music, or intricate fingerstyle pieces. The prominent D root provides a strong foundation across octaves, while the B (major 6th) adds a complex, slightly melancholic, and jazz-influenced color. The doubled F# notes – particularly the high F#5 on the second string – enhance the D major feel and bring a shimmering, bell-like quality to the upper register. The unique arrangement of notes fosters a sense of openness and allows chords to ring out with complex overtones, making it ideal for expressive playing where harmony and sustain are paramount.

Technical Analysis

• Root and Harmony: The tuning is built around D, with the 6th (D2), 4th (D3), and 1st (D4) strings all tuned to D across three octaves, providing a robust and resonant foundation. The 3rd (F#4) and 2nd (F#5) strings are both tuned to F# (the major third of D), creating a strong D Major harmony. The 5th string is B2, which functions as the major 6th in relation to D, completing the D Major 6th chord (D-F#-A-B, though A is not present in the open tuning, the feel is clearly Dmaj6).
• Intervals: The intervals between adjacent strings are quite varied, contributing to the tuning's unique voice:
  • Between strings 6 (D2) and 5 (B2): a major 6th up.
  • Between strings 5 (B2) and 4 (D3): a minor 3rd up.
  • Between strings 4 (D3) and 3 (F#4): a major 10th (major 3rd plus an octave) up. This is a wide jump.
  • Between strings 3 (F#4) and 2 (F#5): a perfect octave up. This creates a powerful, sustained F# sound.
  • Between strings 2 (F#5) and 1 (D4): a perfect 5th *down*. This unique descending interval on the highest strings (a significant drop of 7 semitones) is a key characteristic, allowing for interesting melodic voicings and counterpoint.
• Chording Potential:
  • Open Chords: The open strings themselves form a beautiful D Major 6th chord (D-B-D-F#-F#-D).
  • Barre Chords: Due to the open D Major 6th structure, barring all strings at any fret will instantly produce a Major 6th chord whose root is at that fret. For example, a barre at the 5th fret yields a G Major 6th, and at the 7th fret, an A Major 6th. This makes playing major 6th harmony very accessible across the fretboard.
  • Related Chords: While inherently major, minor chords can be achieved by altering the 3rd or 6th string. For instance, fretting the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (to make it F natural) could create a D minor feel. The adjacent D and B on strings 4 and 5 also open up possibilities for B minor or D Major 7th voicings with minimal effort. The repeating D and F# notes simplify lead lines and arpeggios that emphasize the D major scale.

This tuning is highly expressive for melodic playing and allows for complex harmonic textures with relatively simple fingerings, particularly for D major and its related modes. The extreme jumps and unique descending interval on the upper strings are defining features, demanding careful attention during tuning but offering a bright, bell-like quality to the upper register.

Here are the notes for each string in the Hypnos tuning:

• 6th String (Low E string becomes): D2
• 5th String (A string becomes): B2
• 4th String (D string becomes): D3
• 3rd String (G string becomes): F#4
• 2nd String (B string becomes): F#5
• 1st String (High E string becomes): D4

How to Tune

To achieve the Hypnos tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these specific adjustments. Please note that the resulting notes from these movements may differ from the target notes listed above for some strings, due to discrepancies in the provided data. This section strictly follows the 'string_movements' instructions:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (Original E2)
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2. (Original A2)
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3. (Original D3)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#3. (Original G3)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 7 semitones to F#4. (Original B3) Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a very significant increase in tension. Consider using a lighter gauge string for the 2nd string to prevent breakage and ensure proper tension.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4. (Original E4)