Tuning Analysis: Open A11

This intriguing tuning, named 'Open A11' in the provided description, presents a unique sonic landscape for the guitar. As its creator noted, it feels "very comfortable in Key of E," and a detailed analysis of its structure reveals why. While the name suggests an A11 chord (A, C#, E, G, B, D), the open strings actually resonate with the notes E2 A2 C#4 E3 B3 D#4. This combination creates a rich, open voicing that strongly outlines an E Major 7 chord with an added suspended 4th (A) and a 6th (C#), effectively an Emaj7sus4(add6). It's a complex and beautiful voicing that provides a bright, resonant quality.

Technical Breakdown

The open strings, from low to high, are E2, A2, C#4, E3, B3, and D#4. Analyzing the musical intervals from the lowest E (E2): we find an A2 (perfect 4th), E3 (octave), B3 (perfect 5th), C#4 (major 6th), and D#4 (major 7th). The open strings contain the notes E, A, B, C#, and D#. These are the root, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, major 6th, and major 7th of the E major scale, making it highly resonant and musically rich for compositions in the Key of E.

The open strings offer a fantastic palette for exploring the Key of E. The presence of these specific notes means that most of the key's harmonic content is readily available, allowing for full, resonant open strumming. Chords such as Emaj7, Esus4, and A major triads are immediately accessible and can be voiced beautifully with minimal effort across the open strings. The unique intervals between strings also lend themselves to interesting melodic lines, drone notes, and arpeggiated figures.

How to Tune

To achieve this 'Open A11' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitones. Change D4 to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones. Change G3 to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitones. Change E4 to D#4.

The maximum string adjustment required for this tuning is 3 semitones down on the 3rd string. All these movements are within a safe range for standard guitar string gauges, meaning a change in string gauge is not typically advised for this tuning.

The 'Open A11' tuning sets your guitar strings to the following notes, from thickest to thinnest:

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A): A2
• 4th String (D): C#4
• 3rd String (G): E3
• 2nd String (B): B3
• 1st String (High E): D#4