Tuning Analysis: Citole 2

Verbal Description

The "Citole 2" tuning offers a unique and historically resonant voice for your guitar, drawing inspiration from its namesake medieval instrument. As described, it's an intriguing setup for a Citole, emphasizing open, ringing tones and specific intervallic relationships that diverge significantly from standard guitar tuning. This tuning creates a rich, open sound that leans towards modal harmony and drone-like qualities, making it particularly well-suited for folk, medieval, or experimental music. It encourages a more melodic and intervallic approach to playing, rather than relying heavily on conventional chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

The tuning is configured as E2-A2-D3-A3-D4-G4 from the lowest to the highest string. Analyzing the intervals reveals a structure rich in perfect fourths and a single perfect fifth:

• 6th String (E2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (D3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (A3): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• 3rd String (A3) to 2nd String (D4): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 2nd String (D4) to 1st String (G4): Perfect Fourth (P4)

This unique sequence features a strong emphasis on D and A notes across the middle strings (D3-A3-D4), forming a Dsus2 or A7sus4 type of structure, offering a very open and resonant characteristic. The upper three strings (A3-D4-G4) are all tuned in perfect fourths, reminiscent of bass guitar tunings, which allows for easy melodic runs and open-string drones. The open strings present the notes E, A, D, and G.

Chordal Opportunities:

• Open Harmonies: While not forming a simple major or minor triad, the open strings lend themselves beautifully to suspended harmonies such as Dsus4 (D-G-A) and Gsus2 (G-A-D) across various octaves.
• Power Chords: The strong presence of D and A notes makes open D5 (D-A) and A5 (A-E) power chords easily accessible. The D3-A3-D4 arrangement provides a rich, octave-laden D power chord.
• Modal Playing: The prevalence of perfect fourths makes this tuning excellent for exploring modal scales and creating drone-based compositions, where the open strings can provide a sustained harmonic bed.
• Folk and Medieval Music: The inherent open and somewhat austere sound of this tuning is perfectly suited for styles requiring a less conventional, more ancient or earthy tonality.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Citole 2" tuning from standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E to E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G to A3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• 2nd String (B to D4): Tune up 3 semitones.
• 1st String (High E to G4): Tune up 3 semitones.

Note: When tuning up strings, proceed with care. Significant changes (exceeding 4 semitones up or down) may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage. The adjustments in this tuning (up to 3 semitones) are generally manageable but should still be done slowly.

String 6: E2

String 5: A2

String 4: D3

String 3: A3

String 2: D4

String 1: G4