Tuning Analysis: Ted's Happiness

Ted's Happiness is an intriguing and harmonically rich custom tuning for the Guitar, described as being designed to make Ted Greene happy and "meant for open playing." This suggests a focus on resonant, open string voicings and exploring unique harmonic landscapes ideal for intricate chordal work and expressive melodic improvisation.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are (from 6th to 1st string): D♯3, C3, D♯4, G3, G♯4, C4.

When analyzed harmonically, reordering the unique pitches from lowest to highest, we find: C3, D♯3 (enharmonically Eb3), G3, C4, D♯4 (Eb4), G♯4 (Ab4). This combination forms a distinct and beautiful chord. The core harmonic identity of these open strings can be identified as an Ab Major 7 chord with C in the bass (Abmaj7/C). The notes of a standard Abmaj7 chord are Ab-C-Eb-G. This tuning provides these elements:

• C (serving as the root of the inversion, and the 3rd of the Abmaj7 chord)
• D♯/Eb (the 5th of Abmaj7)
• G (the 7th of Abmaj7)
• G♯/Ab (the root of Abmaj7)

Chords and Playability

The most prominent open chord is the rich Abmaj7/C, which can be strummed or arpeggiated for an immediate, sophisticated sound. Because of the inherent Abmaj7 voicing, chords in the key of Ab Major or its relative minor, F minor, will feel particularly natural and accessible. However, the presence of C, Eb, G also strongly suggests a C minor triad at its heart, allowing for easy exploration of C minor and related modes.

• Ab Major Harmony: Easy access to various Ab major voicings and melodic possibilities by utilizing the open strings as a drone or harmonic foundation.
• C Minor & Jazz Voicings: The core C-Eb-G offers a strong C minor tonality, while the G#/Ab provides a distinctive color, making it fertile ground for jazz-infused chords like Cmin(maj7) or altered dominant sounds by minimal fret hand movement.
• Augmented and Chromatic possibilities: The unique intervals and close proximity of certain notes (e.g., C and D# on adjacent low strings) open doors for experimenting with augmented and altered dominant chords by shifting just one or two fingers. Shapes that often feel awkward or impossible in standard tuning might become surprisingly accessible or inspiring in this arrangement, encouraging creative exploration beyond traditional chord forms.

How to Tune

To achieve "Ted's Happiness" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning (from low E to high E) and adjust your strings as follows. Please take care when making significant pitch adjustments, especially when tuning up, as this increases string tension. If you plan to use this tuning frequently or permanently, consider consulting a luthier or using a string gauge optimized for these tensions.

• 6th String (Low E to D♯3): Tune down 1 semitone from E3 to D♯3. This is a minor adjustment and should be straightforward.
• 5th String (A to C3): Tune up 3 semitones from A3 to C3. Caution: Tuning up by 3 semitones noticeably increases string tension. Proceed carefully and tune slowly to avoid string breakage.
• 4th String (D to D♯4): Tune up 1 semitone from D4 to D♯4. This is a minor adjustment.
• 3rd String (G to G3): Keep as is; no change from standard G3 (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B to G♯4): Tune down 3 semitones from B3 to G♯4. This is a moderate drop in tension; ensure proper winding on the tuning peg.
• 1st String (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4. Important: Tuning down by exactly 4 semitones is a significant drop in tension. If this tuning is to be used frequently or permanently, a lighter gauge string is strongly advised to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and string life.