Verbal Analysis: The Midwest Standard Sound

This unique tuning, known as the "Midwest Standard," gains its notoriety from its use in the song "Two Beers In" by the prominent Midwest Emo band, Free Throw. It's a tuning designed to evoke a specific emotional landscape – angular, slightly dissonant, and incredibly emotive. Unlike conventional tunings that aim for harmonic simplicity, the Midwest Standard embraces tension and complexity, creating a sound that feels both raw and deeply expressive. It leans into the characteristic 'twinkly' yet heavy sound often found in the Midwest Emo genre, where unusual voicings and open string drones play a crucial role in building atmosphere and melodic texture.

Technical Analysis: Unpacking the Voicing

The open strings are tuned to D#3-A#3-B2-F#4-A#4-D#5 (low to high). This isn't a tuning that readily forms a simple major or minor chord across all open strings, which is precisely where its character lies. Let's break down its components:

• Low-End Power: The lowest two strings (D#3 and A#3) form a powerful D#5 (D# power chord), providing a solid, resonant foundation despite the subsequent melodic tensions.
• Mid-Range Dissonance: The B2 on the 4th string is a pivotal element. Against the D# and A# of the lower strings, it creates a significant minor 2nd or augmented 4th dissonance (depending on the reference point). This specific B note, being quite low for a guitar, introduces a muddy, resonant quality that contributes heavily to the tuning's unique emotional impact.
• Upper-Register Augmentation: The top three strings (F#4, A#4, D#5) form an F# Augmented triad. This striking chord (F# A# D#) adds a distinct, slightly unsettling, yet often beautiful harmonic color, allowing for 'sparkly' arpeggios and resonant sustained notes characteristic of emo guitar work.
• Overall Harmonic Landscape: The tuning creates an intricate harmonic blend. While a straightforward open chord across all strings is elusive, the D# root is clearly established by the lowest and highest strings (D#3 and D#5, two octaves apart). The tension comes from the interplay of the D# power chord, the jarring B2, and the F# Augmented triad. This complexity encourages creative chord voicings, arpeggios, and lead lines that highlight the inherent dissonances and their eventual resolutions.

Open Chords and Accessible Shapes:

While not a simple open chord tuning, certain groupings are readily available:

• An open D#5 power chord can be easily played on the 6th and 5th strings.
• An open F# Augmented chord resonates beautifully on the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings (F#4, A#4, D#5).
• Guitarists can explore various suspended or altered chords by fretting notes around the established D# root, often utilizing the open 6th and 1st strings as drones. The B string will frequently require specific fretting or muting to integrate cleanly into more conventional chord structures, but its open dissonance is key to the tuning's character.

How to Tune: From Standard EADGBe to Midwest Standard

To achieve the "Free Throw's Discordant Drop" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone from E3 to D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone from A3 to A#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D4 to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G4 to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B3 to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from E4 to D#5.

Important Note on String Tension: All string movements for this tuning are within a safe range for standard guitar strings. The most significant change is the 4th string (D to B), which is tuned down 3 semitones. While not extreme, always tune carefully and ensure your instrument is properly intonated after changing tunings significantly.

String 6: D#3
String 5: A#3
String 4: B2
String 3: F#4
String 2: A#4
String 1: D#5