Grizzly Bear Sleeping Ute Tuning: A Resonant A6 Harmony

The "Grizzly Bear Sleeping Ute Tune" is a wonderfully rich and resonant open tuning, perfect for capturing a warm, full sound reminiscent of folk, blues, and country styles. Its name evokes a deep, earthy feel, and the tuning itself lives up to this, providing a harmonious canvas for musical exploration. When strummed open, this tuning immediately presents a full A6 chord, making it exceptionally inviting for both rhythm and lead playing.

Technical Analysis

This tuning transforms your guitar into an open A6 chord, with the notes E2, A2, C#4, F#4, A3, and C#5 from the lowest to highest string. Let's break down the harmonic structure:

• The 6th string (E2) provides the perfect 5th of the A root.
• The 5th string (A2) serves as the fundamental root of the A6 chord.
• The 4th string (C#4) delivers the crucial major 3rd, an octave higher than one might expect for a standard A chord, adding brightness.
• The 3rd string (F#4) introduces the major 6th, giving the tuning its distinctive A6 character.
• The 2nd string (A3) reinforces the root an octave higher, providing a strong anchor.
• The 1st string (C#5) completes the chord with another major 3rd, two octaves above the A2 root, creating a sparkling top end.

This arrangement means that simply strumming all open strings yields a beautiful A6 chord. This characteristic makes the tuning ideal for slide guitar, as you can easily move up and down the neck, maintaining the chord quality. Basic barre chords will seamlessly transform into other 6th chords (e.g., barring at the 3rd fret will give you a C6 chord). The specific octaving of the notes (e.g., C#4 and F#4 on the middle strings) creates a unique voice leading and open sound that distinguishes it from more common open tunings.

String Gauge Recommendation

All string movements in this tuning are within 3 semitones down from standard EADGBe. This means your current standard gauge strings should comfortably accommodate the tuning without significant tension issues or the need for a different string gauge.

Open String Notes:

• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: C#4
• 3rd String: F#4
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: C#5

How to Tune Your Guitar to Grizzly Bear Sleeping Ute Tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): To achieve the note E2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): To achieve the note A2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): To achieve the note C#4, tune down 1 semitone.
• 3rd String (G): To achieve the note F#4, tune down 1 semitone.
• 2nd String (B): To achieve the note A3, tune down 2 semitones.
• 1st String (High E): To achieve the note C#5, tune down 3 semitones.

As all string adjustments are within 3 semitones, your standard guitar strings should handle this tuning comfortably without requiring a change in string gauge.