Verbal Description

The 'Altar tuning' is a distinctive and atmospheric tuning, specifically crafted to facilitate a solo guitar rendition of the song 'Altar' by BlackCar, from their album Last Scene Rushes. It builds upon the familiar low E, A, and D strings, then introduces a series of significant drops on the higher strings, culminating in a unique, almost re-entrant setup.

The open string notes evoke a rich, extended harmony, leaning towards a bright and somewhat melancholic sound. The specific combination of E A D F# A C# creates a complex sonic tapestry. This intricate voicing is likely designed to allow the guitar to sing with a full, resonant texture, perfect for intricate melodic lines and drone-like accompaniment, as heard on the BlackCar track.

A key feature of this tuning is the re-entrant relationship between the 3rd (F#4) and 2nd (A3) strings. With the 3rd string pitched higher than the 2nd string, this creates an unexpected interval that fundamentally alters the guitar's melodic and harmonic logic. This inversion can open up entirely new melodic and chordal possibilities, allowing for unique arpeggiated patterns and compelling voice leading that would be impossible in standard tuning. It encourages the player to think differently about fingerboard navigation, exploring beyond conventional guitar shapes.

For open chords, the tuning presents a rich palette. The notes E, A, D, F#, C# suggest an A Major chord with added extensions, or a D Major 7th harmony with an E in the bass. These provide a strong harmonic foundation that can feel both familiar and refreshingly new, ideal for creating expansive soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

This is a custom, dropped tuning based on standard EADGBe, with the following open string notes: E2 A2 D3 F#4 A3 C#5.

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones). This retains a standard lower guitar interval.
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones). Another standard interval, providing a familiar base on the lower strings.
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F#4): Compound Major 3rd (16 semitones, D3 to F#4). This is a significant jump in pitch (a Major 3rd plus an octave), creating a wide, bright sound between these strings.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (A3): Descending Major 6th (9 semitones down, F#4 to A3). This is the defining re-entrant characteristic of the tuning, where the 2nd string is pitched lower than the 3rd string. This alters expected melodic contours and provides unique harmonic possibilities.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (C#5): Compound Major 3rd (16 semitones, A3 to C#5). Another wide interval (a Major 3rd plus an octave), emphasizing the open and ringing quality of the higher strings.

The unique notes within the open tuning are E, A, D, F#, C#. This collection strongly outlines a D Major 7th chord (D F# A C#) with an E in the bass (Dmaj7/E). Considering the notes A, C#, E, F#, D, it can also be perceived as an A Major 6/9 chord with a suspended 4th. The open strings also resonate with an E Minor 11th with a Major 6th (E A B D F# C# if B is implied, otherwise E A D F# C#). The tuning provides a robust harmonic foundation, particularly for voicings in the keys of A Major or D Major, while the re-entrant string offers a fresh approach to melodic composition.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each string in the 'Altar tuning', from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• String 6: E2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: A3
• String 1: C#5

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Altar tuning' from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3. Take care when tuning down two semitones, as this is a noticeable slackening of the string.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5. This is a significant drop in pitch; take care during tuning, but it should be safe for standard gauge strings.