Tuning Analysis: EA Repetitive

The EA Repetitive tuning, as its name suggests, creates a distinctive, repeating sonic landscape on the guitar. Described as "Kinda Nick Drake sounding," this tuning lends itself to a meditative, open, and resonant character, ideal for fingerstyle playing, drone-based compositions, or exploring modal harmonies.

Technical Breakdown:

The open strings are tuned to E2-A2-A2-E3-A3-E4. Let's examine the intervals:

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): A Perfect Fourth (P4)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (A2): A Unison (U)
• String 4 (A2) to String 3 (E3): A Perfect Fourth (P4)
• String 3 (E3) to String 2 (A3): A Perfect Fourth (P4)
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (E4): A Perfect Fourth (P4)

This unique arrangement features a core of five Perfect Fourths, broken only by a unison between the 5th and 4th strings. The repeating E-A-E-A-E pattern across the strings creates a rich, sustained harmony with a strong emphasis on the E and A notes. It's almost an E-based drone, heavily colored by the open A notes.

Chordal Implications & Playability:

With the open strings E-A-A-E-A-E, the tuning naturally presents an Eadd4/E or Aadd4/E sound. It's technically an E note (root), A note (perfect fourth), E note (octave), A note (octave of fourth), E note (octave). This creates a very open, suspended quality, avoiding traditional major or minor tonality in its most open form. It's neither distinctly major nor minor, offering a canvas for expressive playing.

• Open Chords: The open tuning itself rings out beautifully, creating a resonant texture. By simply strumming all open strings, you get a full, sustained sound that is rich with overtones.
• Two-Finger Chords: Due to the consistent Perfect Fourth intervals (E-A, A-E), simple two-finger shapes can create powerful chords. For instance, fretting the 6th and 5th strings at the 5th fret (A5) or 7th fret (B5) will yield powerful two-note chords. Similarly, playing the 4th and 3rd strings or 3rd and 2nd strings at the same fret will generate robust 4th intervals.
• Barre Chords: Barre chords become highly consistent. Fretting all strings at a single fret will produce a chord shape that is essentially a transposed version of the open tuning. For example, a full barre at the 2nd fret would yield F#-B-B-F#-B-F#, providing a rich, dense chord, likely an F#sus4 or Bsus4/F#. These shapes offer easy access to new harmonic colors across the fretboard.
• Drones and Melodies: The repeated E and A notes make this tuning excellent for droning bass lines on the lower strings while playing melodies or chord fragments on the higher strings. The unison A2-A2 adds to the sustain and resonance.

How to Tune:

To achieve the EA Repetitive tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-e (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4) tuning, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string for the 4th string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3. Note: Tuning down 3 semitones is a moderate change. Ensure your string can handle the slack without buzzing.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.

Always tune carefully and check intonation after significant string adjustments.

String 6: E2
String 5: A2
String 4: A2
String 3: E3
String 2: A3
String 1: E4