Tuning Overview: Jars of Clay Acoustic E

This unique variant of an Open E tuning, which we've named "Jars of Clay Acoustic E," evokes a warm and resonant "acoustic/coffee-shop" vibe, reminiscent of the early sounds of bands like Jars of Clay. It's known for its considerable sustain and ringing quality, making it particularly enjoyable for acoustic performances.

Verbal Analysis

Players often find this tuning incredibly engaging due to its inherent simplicity for certain musical styles. It creates a lush, open sound where many chords can be played with minimal effort, often by just barring across the fretboard and sliding. This makes it a very fun and accessible tuning, especially for beginners looking to explore new sonic textures without complex fingerings. The significant drops in pitch for the middle strings contribute to a deeper, more resonant soundscape that feels full and expansive.

Technical Analysis

The tuning is set to E2-A2-B2-E3-B2-E4 (from low E to high E string). When strummed open, the combination of notes E, A, and B creates an E suspended 4th (Esus4) chord. The root (E) and fifth (B) are prominently featured, with the A note adding a rich, harmonically interesting suspension. This immediate chord formation makes it incredibly easy to start playing; simply strumming all open strings delivers a beautiful, ringing Esus4.

Because of its open chord structure, barring all strings at a single fret will produce other suspended chords. For instance:

• Barring at the 2nd fret yields an F#sus4 chord (F#-B-C#-F#-C#-F#).
• Barring at the 7th fret yields a Bsus4 chord (B-E-F#-B-F#-B).

To achieve an E Major chord, you can easily modify the open Esus4 by fretting the 3rd string at the 4th fret (G#), or by simply muting the A string (string 5) if a purer E Major is desired. The lower tuning of the 2nd string (B3 down to B2, a full octave) provides a distinct low-end resonance and creates unique voicings not typically found in standard tunings. This wide tonal range, from the deep E2 to the bright E4, contributes significantly to its full-bodied sound.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Jars of Clay Acoustic E" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps carefully. Please note the significant changes for some strings, and consider using a heavier gauge string for the 2nd string due to the large pitch drop.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones (3 half-steps). Tune from D3 down to B2. Exercise caution when tuning down by this amount.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones (3 half-steps). Tune from G3 down to E3. Exercise caution when tuning down by this amount.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 12 semitones (12 half-steps), which is a full octave. Tune from B3 down to B2. This is a significant drop; for optimal tension and tone, especially if you play aggressively, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent floppiness or breakage.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E4.

General Tuning Advisory: When tuning any string down by more than 4 semitones (or up by more than 4 semitones), it is generally recommended to consider using a different gauge string to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and playability. The -12 semitone drop on the 2nd string is particularly noteworthy in this regard.

Here are the notes for each string in the "Jars of Clay Acoustic E" tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: E2 (Low E)
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: B2
• 3rd String: E3
• 2nd String: B2
• 1st String: E4 (High E)