Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning, which we've named "E Modal Suspension" (derived from its original, intriguing name "lathi"), offers a bright, open, and somewhat ethereal sonic landscape. It doesn't immediately form a conventional major or minor chord, but instead leans into an E Major 7th tonality with suspended elements. The low D# and A strings create a deep, resonant foundation, while the higher strings (D#, F#, B, E) stack up to form a rich, complex harmony. This tuning is particularly well-suited for ambient music, intricate fingerstyle, or for musicians looking to explore unique melodic and harmonic voicings, as it deliberately avoids strong major/minor third tensions in its open string configuration. It naturally encourages a modal approach to playing, especially hinting at an E Lydian or E Major 7th feel.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Open Notes: D#3, A2, D#4, F#4, B3, E4 (from low to high string).
• Intervals (relative to D#3 as a tonal center, ascending unique notes): The collection of unique notes is A, B, D#, E, F#. If E is considered the tonic, the notes are: E (Root), F# (Major 2nd), A (Perfect 4th), B (Perfect 5th), D# (Major 7th).
• Harmonic Analysis: The collective open notes – E, F#, A, B, D# – form an interesting subset of an E Major scale (E F# G# A B C# D#) with the G# and C# omitted. Technically, this can be described as an Emaj7(no3, add9, add11) or an E Lydian-based open tuning. The absence of a traditional major or minor third (G# or G natural) for the E root creates a wonderfully suspended, ambiguous, yet fundamentally bright and open quality.

Chordal Possibilities with Open Tuning

• Open String Voicing: The open strings themselves produce a rich, resonant suspended Emaj7(no3, add9, add11) voicing. This serves as an excellent drone or a sophisticated harmonic bed for improvisations, providing a unique backdrop for melodic exploration.
• One-Finger Chords: Due to the unique intervals, moving a single finger across all or some strings (barre-style) can yield surprisingly rich and extended chords. For instance, barring all strings at the first fret would give you F, A#, E, G, C, F, creating a complex sound with interesting dissonances.
• Power Chords & Drones: The low D#3 and A2 strings offer a solid, deep foundation. Power chords and drones can be easily built using these strings, providing a strong rhythmic and harmonic anchor that leans away from conventional major/minor tonality.
• Inner Voicings: The D#4 and F#4 (strings 4 & 3) are a minor third apart, while B3 and E4 (strings 2 & 1) are a perfect fourth apart. These natural intervals facilitate the formation of minor chords and suspended voicings across the middle and high strings with minimal effort. For example, adding a G# (fret 6 on string 3) to the B and E on strings 2 and 1 will complete an E major triad in the higher register.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "E Modal Suspension" tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 1 semitones from E to D#.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitones from D to D#.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitones from G to F#.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Note on String Gauge: All tuning adjustments in this configuration are within a single semitone up or down. Therefore, your standard string gauge should be perfectly suitable. No special string gauge is advised for these movements.