This unique guitar tuning, named "custom kimi no namae by steve hansen," is inspired by the anime song "kimi no namaetate no yuusha no nariagari edby chiai fujikawa" as arranged by Steve Hansen (youtube.com/stevehansen1211). It offers a distinctive and emotionally resonant sonic palette, likely tailored to the specific melodic and harmonic requirements of the arrangement.

Verbal Analysis

The open string configuration of D#3 G#3 C#4 G3 A#4 D#5 creates a rich, expansive, and somewhat jazzy soundscape. The tuning is clearly rooted around D#, with the lowest (6th) and highest (1st) strings both tuned to D#. This provides a strong fundamental and a shimmering octave for lead lines, lending itself to powerful, droning rhythms or melodic passages that emphasize the root.

The open strings form a D# Major 7th chord (D# G A# C#) with an added Perfect 4th (G#). This creates a lush, extended harmony, giving the tuning a sophisticated and often ethereal quality. It's not a simple major or minor open chord, suggesting it's designed for specific arpeggios, melodic ideas, or chord voicings where this rich tension and suspension are desired. Playing the open strings together will yield a full, resonant, and often dreamy sound, perfect for atmospheric pieces, intricate fingerstyle, or a modern, cinematic feel.

Due to the open structure, certain chord shapes might become surprisingly accessible or require re-thinking. Simple barre chords might feel different, and two- or three-finger voicings could yield unexpected harmonies. The strong D# and G# presence, coupled with the C# (minor 7th) and A# (perfect 5th), means that D# Major 7th-like harmonies and G# minor-like harmonies (with a D# as the fifth) will be easily achievable, with the G3 providing the Major 3rd to D#.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are:

• 6th String: D#3 (Root)
• 5th String: G#3 (Perfect 4th above D#3)
• 4th String: C#4 (Minor 7th above D#3, Perfect 4th above G#3)
• 3rd String: G3 (Major 3rd above D#3, diminished 5th below C#4)
• 2nd String: A#4 (Perfect 5th above D#3, augmented 4th above G3)
• 1st String: D#5 (Octave above D#3, Perfect 4th above A#4)

The combined open notes form a D# Major 7th chord (D# G A# C#) with an added Perfect 4th (G#). This creates a sophisticated D#maj7(add4) or D#maj7sus4 harmony. The presence of octaves (D#3 and D#5) provides a solid tonal anchor, while the specific interval choices create a rich, suspended harmonic landscape suitable for intricate arrangements, especially those seeking a blend of warmth and tension.

How to Tune

To achieve the "custom kimi no namae by steve hansen" tuning, adjust your guitar strings as follows. Please note that all movements are relative to your current standard tuning. Generally, tuning up 3-4 semitones or down more than 4 semitones may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or excessive floppiness. In this specific tuning, all movements are minor, so a string gauge change is not typically necessary.

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

All strings, except the 3rd string, are tuned down by a single semitone from their presumed standard pitch (based on the tuning instructions provided). This consistent slight detuning across most strings contributes to a slacker feel, which can be advantageous for bending and vibrato.

String 6 (Lowest String): D#3

String 5: G#3

String 4: C#4

String 3: G3

String 2: A#4

String 1 (Highest String): D#5