The Sourire Tortue Tuning: A Modern Modal Exploration

As a guitar tuning analyst, I'm delighted to present the "Sourire Tortue" tuning, a unique and thoughtfully crafted setup for the Guitar. The name, meaning "Turtle Smile" in French, evokes a sense of gentle uniqueness and a subtle, perhaps hidden, complexity. This tuning departs from standard EADGBe in a subtle yet significant way, transforming the instrument into a canvas for fresh harmonic textures and modal explorations.

Verbal Analysis

The Sourire Tortue tuning offers a distinctive sonic palette, moving away from conventional major/minor voicings to embrace a more open, modal sound. The changes are minor in terms of semitone adjustments, yet they profoundly alter the harmonic landscape. The retained low E and A strings provide a familiar foundation, allowing for solid bass notes and power chords, while the adjusted inner strings introduce unexpected color and dissonance that can resolve beautifully. It's a tuning that encourages experimentation, perfect for creating atmospheric soundscapes, intricate fingerstyle arrangements, or even modern rock riffs that lean into suspended or modal qualities. You'll find the guitar resonates with a shimmering, almost melancholic, yet often bright character. It's less about standard 'cowboy chords' and more about discovering new, evocative voicings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar to E2 A2 C3 F#4 B3 E4. The core changes occur on the 4th and 3rd strings:

• The 4th string (normally D) is tuned down 2 semitones to C3.
• The 3rd string (normally G) is tuned down 1 semitone to F#4.

The open string notes are E, A, C, F#, B, E. When analyzed from the lowest E, the unique notes present are E (root), A (Perfect 4th), C (Minor 6th), F# (Major 2nd/9th), and B (Perfect 5th). This combination is highly suggestive of an E modal framework, leaning towards E Dorian or Phrygian dominant characteristics due to the F# and C, or even a C Lydian sound when centered on the C. The presence of the Major 2nd (F#) and Minor 6th (C) creates an open, suspended, and slightly ambiguous harmonic quality that is rich with potential.

Open Chords & Reachable Shapes

While standard major/minor open chords are significantly altered, this tuning excels at generating unique voicings:

• The lower strings (E-A-C) can form the basis of an A minor triad (A-C-E) with an E in the bass, or a C major 6 chord (C-E-A) over an E bass, providing a rich, open texture.
• The combination of E, A, B, E forms a solid E-based foundation, implying Em or Esus4 qualities.
• The F# on the 3rd string adds a bright, modern, or Lydian/Dorian character. Combined with the other strings, it can easily lead to E minor 9th or E minor 11th voicings with open strings, particularly when droning on the low E.
• Experiment with partial barres or two-finger shapes. For instance, fretting the 6th string at the 3rd fret (G) and leaving other strings open will create a very intriguing G-A-C-F#-B-E cluster, ripe for melodic exploration.
• This tuning naturally lends itself to arpeggios and drones, allowing individual notes to ring out and blend in complex ways. It's an excellent choice for fingerstyle players looking to escape standard patterns and discover fresh harmonies.

How to Tune

To achieve the Sourire Tortue tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones. Tune to C3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitones. Tune to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E4.

The semitone changes for this tuning are minor (no more than 2 semitones up or down), so your existing string gauge should be perfectly suitable. Always tune carefully and verify pitch with a reliable tuner.

6th String: E2

5th String: A2

4th String: C3

3rd String: F#4

2nd String: B3

1st String: E4