Verbal Analysis

"MyTuning" is a profoundly unique and experimental guitar tuning, born from a desire to break free from conventional sonic structures. As its creator humorously notes, it's a tuning where a "B string is lost," indicating a significant departure from standard. This tuning dramatically reshapes the guitar's sonic landscape, offering a wide and often resonant sound that can lean into both spaciousness and intriguing dissonance. It sets the stage for ambient textures, avant-garde compositions, or expressive slide guitar work where open strings can sing with new voices.

The open strings deliver a dark, moody foundation with the lowest D and F, while the higher strings provide bright, shimmering tones with A and E. The arrangement encourages a fresh approach to playing, inviting players to explore new melodic and harmonic possibilities outside the familiar patterns of standard tuning. It's a tuning for those who seek to redefine their instrument and discover uncharted sonic territories.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for "MyTuning" are: D2 F2 G2 B2 A3 E4.

Analyzing the intervals from the lowest D2 string reveals a very wide and complex harmonic structure:

• 6th String (D2): Root
• 5th String (F2): Minor 3rd above D2
• 4th String (G2): Perfect 4th above D2
• 3rd String (B2): Major 6th above D2
• 2nd String (A3): Perfect 12th (Perfect 5th + Octave) above D2
• 1st String (E4): Major 16th (Major 2nd + Two Octaves) above D2

This arrangement does not yield a simple open chord in the traditional sense. However, a full strum of the open strings creates a rich, extended harmony: D minor 11th with an added Major 6th (D-F-A-G-B-E). This chord has a sophisticated, almost dissonant yet compelling quality, ideal for ambient soundscapes or experimental music.

Chordal Possibilities:

• D Minor Focus: The D2, F2, and A3 notes on the 6th, 5th, and 2nd strings provide a clear D minor arpeggio foundation. By strumming these strings or adding simple fretting on them, various D minor voicings can be easily accessed.
• Open G Major: The combination of G2 (4th string) and B2 (3rd string) forms a Major 3rd. Adding the D2 (6th string) and perhaps fretting an open G note on the 1st string would allow for interesting G major-related voicings, potentially with open D and E drones.
• Unique Voicings: Traditional barre chords will be significantly altered. Instead, this tuning encourages exploring clusters of notes, drones, and arpeggiated figures that leverage the wide intervals. Open string harmonizing with fretted notes will be key to discovering new chord shapes. Slide guitar would also be very effective, gliding over these widely spaced notes to create fluid, expressive melodies and harmonies.

How to Tune "MyTuning"

To achieve "MyTuning" from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), follow these specific adjustments for each string. Please pay close attention to the number of semitones each string needs to be adjusted.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 4 semitones to reach F2. Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 7 semitones to reach G2. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very substantial drop. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain playability, intonation, and prevent buzzing.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 8 semitones to reach B2. Caution: This is an extremely large drop. Using a significantly heavier gauge string is highly recommended to achieve proper tension and avoid issues with slackness and intonation.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to remain at E4.

For strings requiring movements of 4 semitones or more (especially the 4th and 3rd strings), using a different gauge string is generally advised to ensure proper string tension, intonation, and to prevent potential damage to your guitar or strings from excessive slackness or tension. Always tune carefully and check your instrument's intonation after making such significant tuning changes.