Tuning Analysis: A sus2 Open Tuning

Verbal Description

This 'A sus2' open tuning is designed to immediately evoke a bright, open, and resonant sound, making it a fantastic choice for genres that benefit from sustained, shimmering chords and intricate fingerstyle passages. It draws an analogy with the EADEAE tuning, often referred to as 'Open E' with a particular voicing, but here it's specifically crafted to highlight an A sus2 chord. The prominent E notes across the tuning (low E, middle E, high E) provide a strong, droning foundation, giving the overall sound a rich and almost ethereal quality. Think of modern folk, ambient soundscapes, alternative rock, or even cinematic scores where a wide, expansive sound is desired. It encourages a less conventional approach to chord shapes, opening up new melodic and harmonic possibilities across the fretboard.

Technical Analysis

This tuning for a standard 6-string Guitar sets the open strings to E2-A2-B2-E3-A3-E4. The core of this tuning is an A sus2 triad (A-B-E) beautifully distributed across the fretboard, with the 5th string providing the root A, and the 4th string providing the suspended 2nd (B). The presence of E notes on the 6th, 3rd, and 1st strings creates a powerful drone, allowing for rich harmonic textures when strummed open or fretted. When played open, the tuning primarily expresses an A sus2 chord (A-B-E) with strong octaves of E acting as a resonant base and treble, making it a versatile 'E drone with A sus2' configuration.

This structure makes many common chord shapes redundant but simplifies the playing of A sus2 and E-based suspended chords. Barre chords across a single fret will yield variations of A sus2, E, and B sus chords. The proximity of the A and B on the 5th and 4th strings (A2, B2) allows for easy sus2 voicings, while the E drone adds depth. This tuning lends itself well to sliding open shapes up and down the neck, creating interesting melodic movement over a static drone.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the 'A sus2 Open Tuning' from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones. Adjust from D to B2. Exercise caution during this drop; while generally manageable with standard gauge strings, significant changes should always be done slowly.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones. Adjust from G to E3. Similar to the 4th string, proceed with care.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones. Adjust from B to A3. This is a common and relatively minor adjustment.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E4.

*Note: Tunings involving drops of 3 or more semitones, while often feasible with standard strings, should be approached with care. If you plan to keep your guitar in this tuning for extended periods, or for tunings exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge might be beneficial for optimal tension and tone.*