Tuning Analysis: Ascendant A Resonance

This unique guitar tuning, which we've named "Ascendant A Resonance," offers a compelling blend of deep, resonant bass notes and bright, ringing trebles, creating a sonic landscape ripe for exploration. The tuning features a non-standard pitch order on the high strings, which provides an interesting challenge and character.

Verbal Analysis

The "Ascendant A Resonance" tuning immediately strikes the ear with its contrasting low and high registers. The lowest strings (D2, G2) provide a deep, grounding foundation, capable of rich drones or powerful bass lines. As you move up the neck, the tuning quickly ascends through E3 and A3, leading to a very high C#4 (or C#5 as specified in the original tuning notes, which creates an unusual pitch inversion with the highest E4 string) and finally the standard E4. This creates a resonant, almost bell-like quality on the higher strings. The open tuning strongly hints at an A major tonality, making it an excellent choice for bright, open-chord strumming and arpeggiated melodic lines in that key. The unique interval between the G2 and E3 (a major sixth) adds an unexpected flavor, breaking from typical perfect fourths, inviting new chord voicings and melodic ideas. It feels both familiar in its A major resonance and adventurous in its structure.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes for 'Ascendant A Resonance' are as follows, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st) string: D2, G2, E3, A3, C#4, E4. (Note: The original tuning notes provided indicated C#5 for the 2nd string. However, based on the specified string movements from standard tuning, and to maintain a logical pitch progression where string 1 is typically the highest, we interpret the intended note for string 2 as C#4. If C#5 is truly intended, it creates an unusual scenario where the 2nd string is higher in pitch than the 1st string.)

• String 6: D2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#4
• String 1: E4

Key intervals and their impact:

• D2 - G2 (Perfect 4th): Provides a strong, open bass foundation.
• G2 - E3 (Major 6th): An expansive interval that breaks from standard guitar tuning patterns, offering unique harmonic possibilities.
• E3 - A3 (Perfect 4th): A familiar interval that helps maintain some navigational reference from standard tuning.
• A3 - C#4 (Major 3rd): Completes the open A major triad.
• C#4 - E4 (Minor 3rd): The highest two strings form a minor third, adding tension and a sweet, bluesy resonance to the A major chord.

The open tuning itself forms an A major chord (A-C#-E) across the strings E3, A3, C#4, E4, with E3 in the bass, creating an A major chord in second inversion (A/E). This makes for incredibly rich and full-sounding open A major voicings. Additionally, the low D and G strings allow for:

• Open A Major (A/E): Strumming strings 4-1 (E3 A3 C#4 E4) yields a bright, full A major.
• Dsus4/G: Strumming all strings (D2 G2 E3 A3 C#4 E4) creates a complex voicing that could be interpreted as a Dsus4 chord with a G drone, or a Gmaj9sus2 chord with D in the bass, depending on the harmonic context.
• G Major ideas: The low G2 allows for open G Major voicings, especially with the D2 drone.
• Accessible Barre Chords: Familiar barre chord shapes may shift, but the consistent intervals of P4, M3, and m3 on the top four strings (E-A-C#-E) could lead to new, easy-to-reach chord shapes for major triads and dominant 7ths based on the top string set.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Ascendant A Resonance' tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these specific string movements. Please refer to your tuner for accurate pitch adjustment.

• String 6 (Low E): From standard E2, tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5 (A): From standard A2, tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D): From standard D3, tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3 (G): From standard G3, tune up 2 semitones to A3.
• String 2 (B): From standard B3, tune up 2 semitones to C#4. (Note: While the original provided tuning notes listed C#5 for this string, a 2-semitone increase from standard B3 results in C#4. Tuning to C#5 from B3 would require a substantial 15-semitone increase, for which a different string gauge would be highly advisable to prevent string breakage and ensure proper tension.)
• String 1 (High E): From standard E4, keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

All movements are within a safe range of +/- 2 semitones from standard, assuming the intended target for String 2 is C#4. As a general guideline, movements exceeding negative 4 or positive 4 semitones often warrant considering a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability and string integrity.

Tuning Notes for MY TUNING STAY AWAY

• String 6 (lowest): D2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#5 (Note: This note is significantly higher than the 1st string (E4). This results in an inverted pitch order for the highest two strings, which is highly unusual for standard guitar string arrangements where string 1 is typically the highest in pitch.)
• String 1 (highest): E4