This is the unique "You know Pac-Man..." tuning, notably featured in the song of the same name by Feelings Mutual. It's an exceptionally unconventional tuning that challenges traditional guitar voicings and offers a distinctive sonic landscape.

Origin: Used in "You know Pac-Man" by Feelings Mutual. Listen here.

Verbal Analysis

The most striking characteristic of this tuning is its highly non-linear pitch progression, particularly between the middle strings. The lower three strings (D2-G2-B2) establish a resonant, open sound, forming an inverted G major triad (G-B-D). This provides a strong, almost drone-like foundation. However, the tuning then takes an unexpected turn with a massive jump to F#4 on the third string, followed by a significant drop to A3 on the second string, and finally settling on D4 for the first string. This creates a "broken" or staggered feel across the fretboard, making standard chord shapes largely unfeasible and encouraging exploration of unique melodic patterns, arpeggios, and dissonant harmonies. It’s a tuning designed for texture and specific melodic lines rather than broad, strummed chords.

Technical Analysis

• **Open String Pitches**: D2 - G2 - B2 - F#4 - A3 - D4
• **Intervals from low to high**:
  • 6th (D2) to 5th (G2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • 5th (G2) to 4th (B2): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
  • 4th (B2) to 3rd (F#4): Compound Perfect 5th (19 semitones - a huge leap)
  • 3rd (F#4) to 2nd (A3): Compound minor 3rd down (9 semitones down - a significant drop)
  • 2nd (A3) to 1st (D4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• **Harmonic Implications**: The open strings, when sounded together, create a complex sonority that can be interpreted as a D major triad (D-F#-A) with an added G (4th) and B (6th). This gives it a bright, open character with suspended elements, suggesting a D major tonality but with rich extensions. The wide range of pitches, particularly the high F#4 and subsequent lower A3, contributes to a shimmering, almost harp-like effect when played arpeggiated.
• **Chord Accessibility**:
  • **Open Chords**: Strumming all open strings yields a complex D-based chord (D G B F# A D). It's not a standard open chord, but rather a rich, extended voicing.
  • **Fingered Chords**: Due to the dramatic interval changes between strings, especially strings 4-3 and 3-2, traditional chord shapes are rendered impractical. This tuning encourages an approach focused on linear melodic playing, drones, or creating new, open-string-reliant voicings. Simple two or three-note chords across adjacent strings might be more accessible than full six-string voicings. For instance, the lowest three strings (D-G-B) form a clear G major triad, which could be exploited for bass lines or arpeggios.

How to Tune

To achieve the "You know Pac-Man..." tuning, starting from standard EADGBe tuning, adjust each string as follows:

• **String 6 (Low E)**: Tune down 2 semitones to D2. (Actual change: -2 semitones).
• **String 5 (A)**: Tune down 2 semitones to G2. (Actual change: -2 semitones).
• **String 4 (D)**: Tune down 3 semitones to B2. (Actual change: -3 semitones).
• **String 3 (G)**: Tune down 1 semitones to F#4. (Actual change: +11 semitones).

  **Important Warning**: The target note F#4 is significantly higher than a standard G3 string tuned down 1 semitone (which would result in F#3). This represents an *actual* tuning up of 11 semitones from standard G3. Tuning a standard G string up this much (more than 4 semitones) is extremely risky and could break the string or damage the instrument. A much lighter gauge string is strongly advised, or specific preparation for this extreme tension.

• **String 2 (B)**: Tune down 2 semitones to A3. (Actual change: -2 semitones).
• **String 1 (High E)**: Tune down 2 semitones to D4. (Actual change: -2 semitones).

String 6 (lowest string): D2
String 5: G2
String 4: B2
String 3: F#4
String 2: A3
String 1 (highest string): D4