Unison A Fifths Drive: A Modern Compromise

This unique guitar tuning, creatively named "Unison A Fifths Drive," presents an innovative approach for guitarists seeking the expansive sound of all-fifths tunings without necessitating a complete overhaul of string gauges and instrument setup. Conceived as a practical compromise, it strategically retains the familiar feel of the lower standard strings while introducing a distinctive foundation of perfect fifths on the higher strings.

Verbal Analysis:

The essence of this tuning lies in its intelligent blend of traditional and radical elements. By keeping the lowest two strings at their standard E and A pitches, it offers a comfortable anchor for bass lines and familiar root notes. The magic truly begins with the D string, which is dropped to unison with the A string, creating a powerful, resonant A drone. From this point upwards, the tuning transitions into a series of perfect fifths (or compound fifths), providing a wide-open, harmonically rich canvas. This setup is ideal for expressive chord voicings, modal playing, and creating compelling melodic textures that benefit from the inherent resonance of open fifths. The high F# adds a bright, shimmering top-end, opening up new melodic and harmonic possibilities that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning. It's a tuning that invites experimentation and rewards players with a fresh sonic perspective, offering a practical pathway to the sonic landscape of fifths tunings.

Technical Analysis (EAAEBF#):

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Open Notes: E2-A2-A2-E3-B3-F5#
• Intervals from lowest to highest string:
  • String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect Fourth
  • String 5 (A2) to String 4 (A2): Unison (This distinctive feature creates a strong, resonant drone and forms the core of the tuning's identity.)
  • String 4 (A2) to String 3 (E3): Perfect Fifth
  • String 3 (E3) to String 2 (B3): Perfect Fifth
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (F5#): Perfect Fifth + Octave (A very wide, bright interval, adding significant harmonic extension and sparkle to the high end.)
• Chordal Implications & Playability:
  • The unison A2-A2 on strings 5 and 4 provides a powerful drone and allows for exceptionally easy formation of A-based power chords (A5) by simply barring across these strings.
  • The sequence A2-E3-B3 (strings 4, 3, 2) suggests a Bsus4 voicing, or an A chord with an added 9th (Aadd9) if interpreted with A as the root. This cluster facilitates modern, open voicings.
  • The consistent perfect fifth intervals on strings 4-3 (A-E), 3-2 (E-B), and 2-1 (B-F#) make forming movable power chords and open, resonant voicings exceptionally straightforward across the neck with minimal finger stretching, ideal for rock, metal, or experimental genres.
  • While the open strings do not form a single common major or minor chord, this encourages players to explore unique harmonic clusters and melodic patterns, particularly leveraging the inherent resonance of open fifths.
  • The combination of standard low strings (E-A) and fifths on top allows for familiar bass accompaniment paired with innovative lead lines and chord work, bridging the gap between traditional and more avant-garde playing styles.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Unison A Fifths Drive

To achieve the "Unison A Fifths Drive" tuning, follow these specific string adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the recommended caution for significant string tension changes.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your lowest string remains E2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains A2.
• String 4 (D): From its standard D3 pitch, tune down 5 semitones to A2. Caution is advised for this adjustment, as tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider a heavier gauge D string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 3 (G): From its standard G3 pitch, tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains B3.
• String 1 (High E): From its standard E4 pitch, tune up 2 semitones to F5#. Please note: While the instruction specifies to tune up 2 semitones, the target note F5# is an octave higher than the F#4 that would typically result from tuning E4 up by 2 semitones. This suggests either a very light gauge string is required, or this tuning is intended for a specific instrument setup capable of reaching F5# with minimal tension increase. Extreme caution is advised if attempting to reach F5# from a standard E string, as this pitch often requires a significantly greater semitone adjustment.