Verbal Analysis:

The 'Dissonant Rift' tuning is a highly unconventional and experimental setup, specifically tailored for genres like post-rock and math-rock, as its creator aptly noted. This tuning immediately presents a unique sonic landscape due to its re-entrant nature, where the 5th string (G2) is tuned significantly lower than the 6th string (D#3). This creates an unexpected depth and allows for rich, complex voicings that break away from traditional guitar harmonies.

The overall sound of the open strings is angular and often dissonant, creating a tension that lends itself well to atmospheric soundscapes, intricate riffing, and polyrhythmic compositions. It's not a tuning for easy, open major chords; rather, it encourages exploration of intervallic relationships and provides a foundation for creating dense, shimmering textures or sharp, percussive figures. Players will find themselves discovering new chord shapes and melodic possibilities, pushing beyond conventional fingerings to exploit the unique string relationships.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning sets the guitar strings to D#3 - G2 - D3 - F3 - C4 - E4 from low to high (6th to 1st string). The most striking feature is its re-entrant structure: the 5th string (G2) is tuned lower than the 6th string (D#3), making G2 the actual lowest pitch in the tuning. This inversion drastically alters the harmonic possibilities and typical string relationships.

Let's examine the intervals between adjacent strings (from 6th to 1st):

• String 6 (D#3) to String 5 (G2): A substantial drop of 9 semitones, or a compound minor 6th descending. This is the core of its re-entrant nature, with String 5 being significantly lower in pitch than String 6.
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): A Perfect 5th up (7 semitones).
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F3): A Minor 3rd up (3 semitones).
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (C4): A Perfect 5th up (7 semitones).
• String 2 (C4) to String 1 (E4): A Major 3rd up (4 semitones).

The open string notes are D#, G, D, F, C, E. This collection of notes is highly chromatic and non-diatonic, featuring both D# and D natural, creating a strong minor 2nd dissonance. There is no traditional open chord that easily emerges from these notes. Instead, the tuning is designed to facilitate specific voicings and melodic ideas. For instance, the sequence of G2-D3-F3-C4-E4 offers a mix of perfect fifths and minor/major thirds, suggesting possibilities for Sus2/4 chords, minor 7th voicings, or extensions that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning. The dissonant cluster between D# and D, combined with the G and F, creates a rich harmonic tension that can be manipulated for expressive effect, providing a challenging but rewarding canvas for creative composition. Chords that utilize the open perfect fifths (G2-D3, F3-C4) will resonate strongly, while the dissonant intervals will demand careful voicing.

Open String Notes:

These are the specific notes for each open string, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• String 6: D#3
• String 5: G2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: C4
• String 1: E4

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Dissonant Rift' tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E to D#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G to F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (B to C4): Tune up 1 semitone.
• String 1 (High E to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Note on String Gauge: All string movements are within a safe range (maximum of 2 semitones down or 1 semitone up) for standard guitar string gauges. You should not need to change your string gauge for this tuning, but always exercise caution when tuning up.