The Low Baritone Tuning: Transposing the Ukulele Experience

The "Low Baritone" tuning for the Guitar is an innovative and deeply resonant setup, born from the desire to transpose the familiar Baritone Ukulele tuning an octave lower, then extending it for a full 6-string guitar. This unique configuration offers a rich, expansive sound that bridges the worlds of ukulele warmth and guitar depth.

Verbal & Technical Analysis

Verbally, this tuning immediately evokes a sense of mellow, spacious harmony. The lower register of the D-G-B-E strings, mirroring the Baritone Ukulele an octave down, provides a foundational depth rarely found in standard guitar tunings. When strummed open, the notes D2-G2-B2-E3-B3-E4 create a rich, complex sonority. Technically, this is an E minor 7th chord (E-G-B-D) with a doubled B and E, or more precisely, a G Major 6th chord (G-B-D-E) with a low D as the root, effectively a G6/D or Em7/D. This means that open strumming yields a beautiful, ready-made chord, perfect for atmospheric arpeggios or drone-like accompaniment.

The two highest strings (B3 and E4) remain in standard pitch relative to each other, allowing for familiar melody lines and chord voicings on the top end, while the bottom four strings provide an entirely new harmonic landscape. This combination makes fingerstyle arrangements particularly rewarding, as the deep bass notes can contrast beautifully with intricate treble melodies. Chords like open G major (by barring the 3rd fret on the bottom four strings and leaving the top two open) become easily accessible and incredibly resonant. The open strings also lend themselves well to blues and folk music, offering a droning quality that supports melodic exploration. Players accustomed to Drop D tunings will find some familiarity in the dropped low D, but the subsequent dropped G, B, and E strings open up a different harmonic palette altogether.

How to Tune to Low Baritone

To achieve the "Low Baritone" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please exercise caution, especially when tuning strings significantly down, as string tension will decrease. For movements of 4 or more semitones up or down, considering a different gauge of strings is advised for optimal performance and safety.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at E4.

Note: The 4th and 3rd strings are tuned down 3 semitones, which is a notable decrease in tension. While not exceeding the 4 semitone threshold, lighter gauge strings may feel slacker than usual. If you find the intonation or playability compromised, a slightly heavier gauge set might be beneficial.

6th String: D2

5th String: G2

4th String: B2

3rd String: E3

2nd String: B3

1st String: E4