The "Expanded G Major Tuning" (originally named Gmaj exp) offers a unique and open sound for the Guitar, moving away from conventional standard tunings to explore the sonic possibilities around a G Major scale. This experimental tuning prioritizes an expansive, suspended, and modal feel over traditional major or minor voicings, as indicated by its description: "Mess with gmaj scale on a tool long costrain of 50 characters".

Technical Analysis:

• Instrument: Guitar
• Open Notes: D2 C3 E3 G3 C4 E4 (from low E to high E string).

Analyzing the open notes (D-C-E-G-C-E), this tuning creates a rich, often suspended, soundscape. While named for G Major, the open strings themselves form a Gsus4(add6) or a G6/9 without the explicit major third (B), featuring the root (G), perfect fifth (D), perfect fourth (C), and major sixth (E). This combination avoids a strong major or minor tonality when strummed openly, instead offering a versatile, open-ended harmonic foundation. The presence of two C's and two E's across the strings adds to its resonant quality, allowing for complex voicings with minimal effort.

Chords and Playability:

This tuning is excellent for fingerstyle playing, drone effects, and creating atmospheric textures. The lack of a definitive third in the open voicing encourages exploration of suspended or modal harmonies. Strumming all open strings yields a sound akin to a Gsus4(add6), which can easily lead to various voicings by fretting just a few notes. For instance, fretting the 6th string at the 2nd fret (E), and the 5th string at the 3rd fret (Eb), while keeping others open (E-Eb-E-G-C-E), creates a more dissonant, intriguing cluster. Simple barre chords will take on entirely new characteristics, often producing rich extended chords (like 9ths, 11ths, or 13ths) or suspended qualities.

Specific reachable chords and voicings:

• Open Strum: Produces a resonant Gsus4(add6) sound (D-C-E-G-C-E).
• Fretting 5th string at 1st fret: This changes the C3 to B2, which, in combination with the open G and D, moves towards a more explicit G major triad (G-B-D) if other strings are muted or played selectively.
• Barring all strings at the 5th fret: This would produce G-F-A-C-F-A, a complex G chord with a flattened 7th and 9th (G9sus4 or G7sus4add9), providing a lush dominant sound.
• Barring all strings at the 7th fret: This creates A-G-B-D-G-B, which forms an Am7(add9) chord.

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Expanded G Major Tuning," you will adjust your standard-tuned guitar as follows. Please pay close attention to the direction and number of semitones for each string. Always tune carefully and consider professional setup for significant tuning changes.

• 6th String (Low E): From E2, tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): From A2, tune up 3 semitones to C3. (This is a notable increase in tension; while within the typical safe range for standard gauge strings, exercise caution. For tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is generally advised.)
• 4th String (D): From D3, tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 2nd String (B): From B3, tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

This tuning requires notable adjustments to several strings, particularly the 5th string. Always use a reliable tuner and check intonation after tuning.

The open strings for the "Expanded G Major Tuning" are as follows, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: C3
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String: E4