Verbal Analysis

The "Skipper's Deep Canvas" tuning is a highly unconventional and experimental setup for a 9-string guitar, originally named "Alex G Skipper". It dives into an extremely low register, notably with String 8 tuned to G1, which is significantly below the standard range of even an extended-range guitar. This creates a vast and often dissonant sonic landscape, rich with deep resonance and unusual harmonic possibilities. It suggests a tuning designed for intricate textures, drone elements, and a sound that pushes the boundaries of traditional guitar playing, rather than for conventional chord progressions. The combination of very low, rumbling notes with more familiar higher guitar pitches creates a wide dynamic and timbral palette, ideal for atmospheric soundscapes, complex rhythmic patterns, or specific song arrangements where unique harmonic tensions are desired.

Technical Analysis

This 9-string tuning presents a series of unusual intervals, making it stand out from standard or drop tunings. The open notes from String 9 to String 1 are D#2, G1, D#3, F2, A#3, D#4, G3, B3, E4. The most striking feature is String 8 at G1, which is actually lower in pitch than String 9 (D#2), indicating a deliberate non-linear pitch progression across the instrument, offering unique textural and harmonic possibilities.

• The presence of multiple D# notes across octaves (D#2 on String 9, D#3 on String 7, D#4 on String 4) and G notes (G1 on String 8, G3 on String 3) creates a strong potential for rich, sustained drones or powerful octave textures. These intervals can form a foundation for a dark and resonant harmonic bed.
• The highest three strings (String 3 to String 1: G3, B3, E4) form a clear G Major triad with an added E, essentially a G6 chord (G, B, E). This offers a familiar and relatively consonant melodic and harmonic platform in the higher register, contrasting sharply with the more dissonant lower strings. This section can also be interpreted as an E minor 7th chord (E, G, B) if E is considered the root.
• The overall collection of open notes (G, D#, F, A#, B, E) is highly chromatic and does not readily form a simple major or minor chord across all strings when strummed openly. This suggests an intention for arpeggiated figures, specific melodic lines, or percussive and textural playing rather than full open strummed chords.
• Due to the unique arrangement, players can easily achieve:
  • Deep, multi-octave D# power chords or drone notes using Strings 9, 7, and 4.
  • Profound G power chords or resonant octaves using String 8 (G1) and String 3 (G3).
  • Chords like G6 or Em7 on the higher strings (3, 2, 1) to add a more conventional harmonic touch.
  • Complex, dissonant clusters by combining various open strings, enabling avant-garde or textural approaches to composition.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Skipper's Deep Canvas" tuning, follow these specific adjustments from the calculated original notes. Remember to tune slowly and carefully, especially when increasing string tension.

• String 9: Tune up 2 semitones from C#2 to D#2.
• String 8: Tune up 1 semitone from F#1 to G1.
• String 7: Tune up 4 semitones from B2 to D#3. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases string tension. If your string gauge is not suitable for such a high tension, consider using a lighter gauge string or consult a luthier.
• String 6: Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2.
• String 5: Tune up 1 semitone from A3 to A#3.
• String 4: Tune up 1 semitone from D4 to D#4.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from G3 to G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3 to B3.
• String 1: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.