Tuning Description: F# Reentrant Dropped G

This unique and experimental tuning, affectionately referred to as a "WIP" by its creator, offers a captivating reentrant landscape for sonic exploration. The tuning carries a distinct flavor, perfect for evocative soundscapes and intricate melodic work. It's a bold departure from standard guitar tunings, encouraging players to discover new harmonic possibilities. As the creator notes, "Happy pride btw" – a wonderful sentiment for a tuning that celebrates individuality and creative freedom.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to E2 A2 D3 F#4 A3 G3 (low to high). This is a significantly reentrant tuning, meaning the string pitches do not ascend consistently from low to high. Specifically:

• The 3rd string (F#4) is pitched an octave and a semitone higher than the standard G3. Notably, this is the highest note in the tuning, creating a striking melodic focal point.
• The 2nd string (A3) is lower than the 3rd string (F#4), and also lower than its standard B3 pitch.
• The 1st string (G3) is the lowest of the high three strings, creating a unique cluster with the A3 and F#4.

The lower three strings (E2-A2-D3) provide a solid, familiar foundation of perfect fourths (E to A) and a perfect fourth (A to D). This gives a strong root/fourth base, reminiscent of dropped tunings on the bass strings.

The overall intervallic structure creates a rich, ambiguous harmonic palette:

• Between String 6 (E2) and String 1 (G3): An octave and a minor third.
• The cluster of F#4-A3-G3 on the top three strings is particularly distinctive, creating close voicings that will sound bright and complex.
• The presence of D3-F#4-A3 naturally outlines a D Major triad across strings 4, 3, and 2. With the low E and A, this could suggest an A Major 9th chord (A C# E G B D F#) or an E minor 11th (E G B D F# A) if the open strings are played together. The G3 on the first string adds another layer, potentially creating an Em7add11 (E G B D F# A) or a more complex Dsus2/G voicing.

The description also indicates a necessary string swap: "Reentrant bit requires you to swap the high E for a G string." This is crucial for achieving the low G3 pitch on the first string while maintaining appropriate tension and avoiding string breakage, and also for handling the dramatic pitch changes across the upper strings.

Chords & Playability:

Due to its reentrant nature and unique open string intervals, standard chord shapes will be largely unusable. This tuning encourages a fresh approach to the fretboard, favoring:

• Open String Chords: Playing all open strings (E2 A2 D3 F#4 A3 G3) yields a complex, resonant chord that leans towards an E minor 7 add 11 or a D Major 9 add 4, depending on the tonal center emphasized. It's a rich, slightly dissonant, yet pleasing sound that can serve as a strong base for improvisation.
• D Major Voicings: The D3-F#4-A3 combination makes D Major triads (and extensions) particularly accessible by fretting around these strings.
• Melodic Lines: The F#4, A3, and G3 offer a bright, clustered range for intricate arpeggios and melodic phrases that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning.
• Drone Chords: The open E2 and A2 provide an excellent drone for pieces in E minor, A minor, or D major, allowing for rich harmonic textures with minimal effort.
• Modal Exploration: The intervals lend themselves well to modes that incorporate F# and G, such as Lydian or Mixolydian scales over E or A.

This tuning is ideal for experimental music, fingerstyle, ambient textures, or any genre where unique voicings and non-standard harmony are desired. It will require a learning curve, but the creative rewards promise to be significant.

Tuning Notes:

String 6: E2

String 5: A2

String 4: D3

String 3: F#4

String 2: A3

String 1: G3

How to Tune:

To achieve the F# Reentrant Dropped G tuning, begin from standard guitar tuning (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4) and follow these steps. Please note the creator's description advises swapping the high E string for a G string, which is crucial for string durability and achieving the intended pitches, especially for the 1st string.

• String 6 (Low E, E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• String 5 (A, A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is A2.
• String 4 (D, D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is D3.
• String 3 (G, G3): Tune down 1 semitone. This will take the string from standard G3 to F#3. Note: The final desired pitch for this string is F#4, which is an octave higher than the F#3 implied by this tuning instruction. This significant pitch increase (13 semitones from standard G3) likely requires a specialized light-gauge string or careful tuning to reach F#4 from a lower starting point.
• String 2 (B, B3): Tune down 2 semitones. This will take the string from standard B3 to A3. The target note is A3.
• String 1 (High E, E4): Tune down 9 semitones. This will take the string from standard E4 to G3. Caution: Tuning a standard high E string down 9 semitones (-9 semitones) is a substantial change. As advised by the tuning's creator, swapping the high E for a G string is highly recommended to achieve the G3 pitch safely and with proper tension. Tuning a standard E string this far down may result in very loose tension, poor tone, and intonation issues.