Verbal and Technical Analysis

This unique guitar tuning, derived from the "Alesund" lineage and described as "two steps higher," presents a complex and rich sonic landscape. The open strings resolve to D#3 A#3 D#4 F3 B3 D4, forming a dense chord that is far from a simple major or minor triad.

Technically, the open strings D#3, F3, A#3, B3, D4, D#4 reveal a D#add9(add6, addb7) chord. This means it contains the root (D#), a major second (F), a perfect fifth (A#), a major sixth (B), a minor seventh (D), and the octave (D#). This intricate voicing suggests a tuning suitable for jazz, fusion, or experimental genres, where unusual harmonic textures are desired. The presence of the D# root and its octave (D#4 on the 4th string) provides a strong fundamental, while the F, B, and D notes introduce intriguing tensions and color.

When strummed open, this tuning will produce a full, resonant chord with a distinct character. The octave doubling of D# (strings 6 and 4) makes it excellent for creating powerful drone notes and enables easy power chords by simply muting the middle strings or using partial barres. The relatively close intervals between the 3rd (F3), 2nd (B3), and 1st (D4) strings offer opportunities for melodic phrases and arpeggios that would be challenging in standard tuning. Barre chords across the fretboard will shift this complex harmony up, opening up a world of sophisticated chord voicings with minimal effort. This tuning encourages exploration beyond traditional major/minor structures, inviting a more advanced harmonic approach.

How to Tune

Achieving this "Alesund D# Complex Open Tuning" from a standard EADGBe setup involves specific adjustments to each string. Please follow these instructions carefully to reach the target notes D#3 A#3 D#4 F3 B3 D4:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 1 semitone to reach A#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones to reach F3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remains B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D4.

All string movements are within a safe range for standard guitar strings. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is usually recommended, but this tuning falls within acceptable limits.

The open string notes for this Alesund D# Complex Open Tuning are as follows:

• String 6: D#3 (The lowest string, providing the fundamental root of the tuning.)
• String 5: A#3 (A perfect fifth above the root D#, adding harmonic richness.)
• String 4: D#4 (An octave above the lowest string, reinforcing the root and adding depth.)
• String 3: F3 (A major second above the low D#, introducing a sophisticated chord extension.)
• String 2: B3 (A major sixth above the low D#, contributing to the complex harmonic color.)
• String 1: D4 (A minor seventh above the low D#, adding a bluesy or jazzy tension.)