The Midwife Tuning is a unique and resonant alternative tuning for the Guitar. It's known for creating a rich, full sound with its open strings. (Source: midwife tuning source)

Verbal Analysis

At its heart, the Midwife Tuning delivers an Eb Major chord with a G in the bass (Eb/G) when strummed open. This means you can achieve a massive, instant major chord sound without fretting a single note, making it incredibly inspiring for songwriting and open-string riffs. The presence of two G notes and three D#/Eb notes across the strings, along with the A#/Bb, creates a beautiful, shimmering texture. One particularly interesting aspect is that the 5th string (G2) is tuned lower in pitch than the 6th string (D#3), which can open up new possibilities for bass lines and drone notes, providing a unique sonic foundation not found in standard tunings. This inversion gives the tuning a distinctive feel and allows for creative fingerings.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are: D#3 (Eb3), G2, D#4 (Eb4), G3, A#4 (Bb4), D#5 (Eb5) from low E string (6th) to high E string (1st) respectively. When arranged by ascending pitch, these notes form the sequence G2, Eb3, G3, Eb4, Bb4, Eb5. This arrangement clearly outlines an Eb Major chord, specifically in its second inversion due to the G (the major third of Eb) being the lowest fundamental pitch. The intervals between adjacent strings (from 6th to 1st) are: a major third down (D#3 to G2), a compound major sixth up (G2 to D#4), a perfect fourth down (D#4 to G3), a major third up (G3 to A#4), and a perfect fourth up (A#4 to D#5). This non-linear string pitch progression, particularly the G2 being lower than D#3, is a defining technical characteristic that contributes to its unique harmonic landscape.

Open Chords and Possibilities

• Open Strum: An immediate and powerful Eb/G Major chord (Eb Major in second inversion). This is perfect for drone pieces, anthemic progressions, or as a vibrant base for melodic exploration.
• Moving Shapes: Barre chords become highly versatile. By simply barring across various frets, you can easily shift the Eb Major shape to other major chords. For example, barring at the 1st fret would yield an E/G# chord, at the 3rd fret a Gb/Bb chord, and at the 6th fret an A/C# chord.
• Chord Voicings: The repeated D#/Eb and G notes provide excellent opportunities for interesting open voicings. Experiment with lifting fingers or adding single notes to create suspensions, sevenths, or other extensions. The unique string order (G2 below D#3) also enables unconventional bass lines and melodic interplay within the open position.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Midwife Tuning

To achieve the Midwife Tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitones to D#4.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5.

Note: All string adjustments are within typical tension ranges, so a change in string gauge is generally not required, but always exercise caution when tuning up strings.

From thickest (6th) to thinnest (1st) string, the Midwife Tuning notes are:

6th String: D#3

5th String: G2

4th String: D#4

3rd String: G3

2nd String: A#4

1st String: D#5