Tuning Analysis: TTNG Primal Harmony

This unique guitar tuning, originally known as "ttng baboon" and inspired by the band TTNG's song "Baboon," offers a truly distinct sonic landscape for your instrument. It pushes the boundaries of conventional guitar setup, creating a rich and unpredictable harmonic foundation.

Technical Breakdown: Open String Pitches

The open strings of this tuning are as follows, from thickest (6th) to thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: D#3 (Eb3)
• 5th String: G#3 (Ab3)
• 4th String: F3
• 3rd String: C3
• 2nd String: F4
• 1st String: G#5 (Ab5)

Analysing the intervals between adjacent strings reveals the highly unconventional nature of this tuning:

• 6th to 5th (D#3 to G#3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• 5th to 4th (G#3 to F3): Minor 3rd down (4 semitones down) – Note the descent in pitch
• 4th to 3rd (F3 to C3): Perfect 4th down (5 semitones down) – Another significant pitch drop, making the 3rd string the lowest open note!
• 3rd to 2nd (C3 to F4): Major 10th (15 semitones up) – An extremely wide jump in pitch
• 2nd to 1st (F4 to G#5): Minor 10th (15 semitones up) – Another massive leap

The overall range spans from C3 on the 3rd string to G#5 on the 1st string, covering over two and a half octaves with dramatic shifts between strings.

Verbal Analysis: Sonic Possibilities

Despite its seemingly chaotic structure, the open strings of TTNG Primal Harmony form a coherent and musically rich chord: an Ab Major 6th chord (Ab-C-Eb-F) or, viewed from the F root, an F Minor 7th chord (F-Ab-C-Eb). This harmonic foundation means that without any fretting, you're presented with a full, resonant chord that can immediately inspire complex compositions.

The extreme and non-linear intervals suggest this tuning is ideal for:

• Ambient Textures: The wide string separation and the low C3/D#3 provide a deep, droning base, while the high F4/G#5 can float above, creating expansive soundscapes.
• Arpeggiated Figures: Picking through the open strings and adjacent fretted notes will yield unique, shimmering arpeggios that would be impossible in standard tuning.
• Melodic Lines with Drones: Exploit the low, sustained notes (C3, D#3, F3) as drones while playing melodies on the higher, more widely spaced strings (F4, G#5).
• Unconventional Chord Voicings: Standard chord shapes will be entirely recontextualized, forcing players to discover new, potentially dissonant or beautifully intricate voicings with minimal finger movement. Shapes that involve skipping strings may become particularly effective.

This tuning is undoubtedly geared towards experimental and progressive players looking to break free from traditional guitar voicings and explore new sonic territories, much like TTNG themselves.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Please note that some of these string movements are significant. For movements that are 4 semitones or more (up or down), it is strongly advised to consider using a different gauge string to ensure string integrity and proper tension. Tuning a string too far up can cause it to snap, while tuning too far down can make it overly floppy and difficult to play.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone to D# (D-sharp).
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G# (G-sharp).
• 4th String (D): Tune up 3 semitones to F. (This is a moderate tension increase.)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 7 semitones to C. (Warning: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string may be advised to maintain playability and tension.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 6 semitones to F. (Warning: This is a substantial increase in tension. A lighter gauge string is highly recommended to prevent snapping.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 4 semitones to G#. (Warning: This is at the upper limit for string tension. A lighter gauge string is advised for safety and comfort.)

6th String (Low E): Tuned to D#3

5th String (A): Tuned to G#3

4th String (D): Tuned to F3

3rd String (G): Tuned to C3

2nd String (B): Tuned to F4

1st String (High E): Tuned to G#5