Overview: Lapsteel Open A Cowboy Swing

This tuning, originally known as "Lapsteel Open A Cowboy Swing," is a vibrant configuration designed to capture the authentic sounds of pre-1970s country music, Western Swing, and the rich, expressive melodies characteristic of lapsteel guitar. It transforms your guitar into a resonant instrument, perfectly suited for slide guitar work, as it presents a full and harmonically rich A Major chord when all strings are strummed open.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning lay out a complete A Major chord (A - C# - E). From the lowest to highest string, the notes are E2 - A2 - C#4 - A3 - C#5 - E4. This arrangement strategically places the root (A) on the 5th and 3rd strings, the major third (C#) on the 4th and 2nd strings, and the perfect fifth (E) on the 6th and 1st strings. The carefully chosen octaves and inversions create a full-bodied, sonorous sound, making it exceptionally well-suited for open strumming, arpeggiated patterns, or expressive lead lines with a slide.

Chords and Playability

• Open A Major: Strumming all strings in their open position immediately produces a bright and resonant A Major chord. This makes it incredibly intuitive for playing in the key of A without complex fingerings.
• Effortless Barre Chords: A primary benefit of this open tuning is the ease with which you can form other major chords. By simply placing a single finger or a slide across all strings at any fret, you instantly create a major chord corresponding to that fret (e.g., barre at the 2nd fret for a B Major, 3rd fret for C Major). This technique is a cornerstone for slide guitarists, allowing for smooth, melodic glides between major harmonies.
• Expanding Beyond Major: While inherently major, with a little creativity, you can achieve other chord qualities. Experimentation with partial barres, muting, and single-note additions can yield minor chords or dominant 7ths, though these will require more specific fretboard knowledge.

How to Tune

Please exercise extreme caution when tuning, as all strings require significant upward tension adjustments. For movements exceeding 4 semitones, it is highly recommended to consider using a lighter gauge string to prevent breakage, protect your instrument, and ensure optimal playability. These are very dramatic changes from a presumed standard or even lower base tuning, and string tension will be considerably higher.

• String 6 (lowest string): Tune up 5 semitones to reach E2. (Note: Tuning up 5 semitones is a substantial adjustment; a lighter gauge string is strongly advised for safety and playability.)
• String 5: Tune up 5 semitones to reach A2. (Note: Tuning up 5 semitones is a substantial adjustment; a lighter gauge string is strongly advised for safety and playability.)
• String 4: Tune up 4 semitones to reach C#4. (Note: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant adjustment; take care, and a lighter gauge string is recommended.)
• String 3: Tune up 7 semitones to reach A3. (Note: Tuning up 7 semitones is a very significant adjustment, effectively a perfect fifth; a much lighter gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 2: Tune up 6 semitones to reach C#5. (Note: Tuning up 6 semitones is a very significant adjustment; a much lighter gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 1 (highest string): Tune up 5 semitones to reach E4. (Note: Tuning up 5 semitones is a substantial adjustment; a lighter gauge string is strongly advised for safety and playability.)

Always check your guitar's neck relief and intonation carefully after making such dramatic tuning changes. If you encounter any difficulty, feel excessive tension, or are unsure, consult a professional luthier.