Verbal Analysis

The EAAABE tuning, famously associated with the band Sandpit, presents a compelling and resonant soundscape. Its most striking feature is the triplet of A notes across the 5th, 4th, and 3rd string positions (A2, A2, A3), creating a powerful, almost drone-like core. This gives the tuning a bright yet mysterious quality, where the A note acts as a strong tonal center. The outer E strings (E2, E4) provide a familiar frame, grounding the unique inner voicings. It's a tuning that encourages open, ringing chords and modal exploration rather than traditional chord shapes.

Playing all open strings produces a rich, suspended tonality that can be described as an Aadd9sus4/E or an open, resonant Eadd4(no3)/A. The repeated A notes create a natural chorus effect, making the sound feel expansive and full. This setup is ideal for ambient textures, arpeggiated patterns that highlight the drone, and percussive strumming that emphasizes the string's natural resonance. The unique voicings invite experimentation and can make familiar melodies sound fresh and evocative.

Technical Analysis

The EAAABE tuning consists of the notes E2-A2-A2-A3-B3-E4, from lowest to highest string. This configuration deviates significantly from standard tuning, offering a unique set of intervallic relationships:

• String 6 (E2): Serves as the root or a low drone point.
• String 5 (A2): A perfect fourth (P4) above E2.
• String 4 (A2): Unison with String 5, creating a powerful doubled low A. This is also a perfect fourth (P4) above E2.
• String 3 (A3): An octave higher than Strings 5 and 4, creating a strong A drone across three strings. This is a perfect fourth (P4) above E2 (or P11, an octave and a fourth).
• String 2 (B3): A perfect fifth (P5) above E2, adding harmonic tension or resolution.
• String 1 (E4): An octave (P8) above E2, reinforcing the tonic or acting as a high drone.

The open string combination implies an E major (E-G#-B) or A major (A-C#-E) tonality, with a strong emphasis on the A. The E and B provide the tonic and dominant context, while the abundant A notes push it towards a Lydian or Mixolydian feel when paired with E. This tuning makes it easy to achieve ringing, harmonically rich chords with minimal effort, particularly those revolving around A or E.

Accessible Chords & Shapes

While not suited for traditional cowboy chord voicings, EAAABE excels at:

• Open String Chords: Strumming all open strings yields the signature sound, a rich, open E/A chord with strong suspended qualities and an ethereal drone.
• Drone Chords: The stacked A notes (A2-A2-A3) provide a fantastic foundation for drone-based chords. By fretting the higher E string (String 1) and/or B string (String 2) while letting the lower A and E strings ring open, you can create unique harmonies. For example, fretting String 1 at the 5th fret (A4) and String 2 at the 7th fret (E4) alongside the open A's and low E creates a robust A major triad.
• Barre Chords: Simple barre shapes across a single fret will produce unique, full voicings due to the consistent intervallic structure. For instance, a barre at the 2nd fret results in an F#2-B2-B2-B3-C#4-F#4, essentially an open Bsus4 chord or a Badd4. Sliding this shape up and down the neck will yield similar rich, suspended voicings.
• Modal Playing: The consistent A drone makes it excellent for exploring A-centric modes, such as A Mixolydian or A Dorian, by simply shifting melodic lines along the frets.

How to Tune

To achieve the EAAABE tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension and tone, and to prevent string floppiness.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

String 6 (E2): The lowest string remains at its standard E tuning, providing a familiar anchor for the lower register.

String 5 (A2): The fifth string remains at its standard A tuning, forming a perfect fourth with the lowest E, contributing to the open chord's unique voicing.

String 4 (A2): This string is tuned down significantly 5 semitones from its standard D to A, creating a powerful unison or octave with the fifth string.

String 3 (A3): Tuned up 2 semitones from its standard G to A, this string completes the central A drone, offering a clear and resonant high A.

String 2 (B3): The second string remains at its standard B tuning, providing a perfect fifth interval from the lowest E and adding a harmonic dimension.

String 1 (E4): The highest string remains at its standard E tuning, providing a familiar high anchor and completing the octave with the lowest E.