Verbal and Technical Analysis: Open A/E Ascent Tuning

This unique tuning for a standard Guitar, which we've named "Open A/E Ascent", creates a rich, resonant open chord that leans heavily into the A Major tonality, grounded by a low E bass. The core notes E, A, and C# are present across the strings, giving it a bright and full sound when strummed open. The original description "Tryingh" hints at experimentation, which is certainly evident in this configuration.

Technically, the tuning features the following open notes from low to high: E2, A2, C#4, E3, A3, C#5. The arrangement of notes presents some highly unusual and challenging intervals:

• The interval between the 5th string (A2) and the 4th string (C#4) is a very wide Major 10th (an octave and a major third), significantly raising the pitch of the 4th string.
• Intriguingly, the 3rd string (E3) is tuned lower than the 4th string (C#4), forming an inverted interval (a descending Minor 6th). This unconventional pitch order will profoundly alter how chords are voiced and how scale patterns are perceived and played.
• Similarly, there's another wide Major 10th interval between the 2nd string (A3) and the 1st string (C#5), mirroring the jump between strings 5 and 4.

These wide, non-sequential intervals suggest a tuning designed for specific voicings, drone effects, or perhaps slide playing, rather than conventional fretting. The open strings E-A-C#-E-A-C# fundamentally resolve to an A Major triad (A-C#-E) with the 6th string providing a strong E pedal tone, effectively an A Major chord with an E bass (A/E). This means a simple open strum will yield a harmonically rich sound. Chords like A major, E major, and C# minor will take on new voicings and fingerings, requiring significant adaptation from standard shapes. The presence of E, A, C# across multiple octaves makes power chords and simple open-string harmonies particularly resonant. The inverted 4th and 3rd strings will make traditional scale runs challenging and offer unique harmonic possibilities for adventurous players.

How to Tune (Critical Discrepancies Noted)

To achieve the 'Open A/E Ascent' tuning, follow these instructions carefully. It's crucial to note that for String 4 and String 1, there appears to be a significant discrepancy between the provided tuning movements (relative to a standard EADGBe tuning) and the final target notes specified in the 'Tuning Notes' section. The specified target notes for these strings (C#4 and C#5) are much higher than what the tuning movements would produce from standard tuning. Always tune slowly and check string tension carefully.

• String 6 (Low E): Starting from a standard E2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• String 5 (A): Starting from a standard A2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is A2.
• String 4 (D): The instruction is to "Tune down 1 semitones". If starting from standard D3, this would result in C#3. However, the specified target note for this string is C#4. Reaching C#4 from standard D3 involves tuning up 11 semitones, which indicates extremely high tension for a typical 4th string. Tuning up more than 4 semitones generally advises a lighter gauge string. Please exercise extreme caution if attempting to reach C#4 on a standard gauge string.
• String 3 (G): Starting from a standard G3, "Tune down 3 semitones". This will result in E3. This is a moderate drop in tension.
• String 2 (B): Starting from a standard B3, "Tune down 2 semitones". This will result in A3. This is a moderate drop in tension.
• String 1 (High E): The instruction is to "Tune down 3 semitones". If starting from standard E4, this would result in C#4. However, the specified target note for this string is C#5. Reaching C#5 from standard E4 involves tuning up 9 semitones, which indicates extremely high tension for a typical 1st string. Tuning up more than 4 semitones generally advises a lighter gauge string. Please exercise extreme caution if attempting to reach C#5 on a standard gauge string.

Important Note on String Gauge: The target notes for String 4 (C#4) and String 1 (C#5) are considerably higher than their standard tuning equivalents (D3 and E4). If you aim to achieve these specific C#4 and C#5 notes, it is essential to use lighter gauge strings to mitigate the risk of string breakage and potential instrument damage due to excessive tension. The provided tuning movements for these strings would not lead to C#4 and C#5 if starting from standard EADGBe tuning.

String 6 (Low E): E2
String 5 (A): A2
String 4 (D): C#4
String 3 (G): E3
String 2 (B): A3
String 1 (High E): C#5