Verbal Analysis

This intriguing tuning, aptly named "Alternate B Major," offers a distinctive and harmonically rich soundscape, primarily centered around the B Major tonality. As its creator noted, the presence of standard E-A-D on the lowest three strings provides a familiar and solid foundation for bass lines and root notes, making it somewhat approachable for guitarists accustomed to standard tuning. This preserves a sense of grounding while the upper register embarks on a unique journey.

The upper three strings (F#4-B3-D#5) diverge significantly, forming an open B Major triad. This allows for incredibly resonant and easily accessible open B Major chords, making it a dream for songs or passages in the key of B. The self-discovered nature of this tuning hints at an innovative spirit, offering musicians an opportunity to explore uncharted sonic territory with a sound that is both grounded and brightly resonant. While the dramatic intervallic shifts in the upper strings may require some adjustment for traditional chord shapes and scale patterns, they also unlock fresh voicings and melodic possibilities, encouraging creative exploration beyond conventional boundaries.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: The tuning presents as E2-A2-D3-F#4-B3-D#5.
• Intervallic Structure (Ascending):
  • String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F#4): Major 10th (16 semitones), a notably wide interval.
  • String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B3): Descending Perfect 5th (7 semitones down, or ascending P4th from B3 to F#4). This creates a significant drop in pitch between adjacent strings.
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D#5): Major 10th (16 semitones), another wide interval.
• Open Chords & Harmonics:
  • Open B Major: The combination of open strings 3, 2, and 1 (F#4, B3, D#5) forms a beautiful B Major triad (in an inversion: 5th, Root, 3rd). This is a strong defining characteristic of the tuning.
  • Open D Major: Strings 4, 3, and 5 (D3, F#4, A2) can be combined to form a D Major triad (A2, D3, F#4).
  • Standard Lower Register: The lowest three strings (E2, A2, D3) remain in standard E-A-D, allowing for conventional open E, A, and D chords or power chords rooted on these strings.
• Playability Considerations: The substantial intervallic leaps on the higher strings (particularly between D3/F#4, F#4/B3, and B3/D#5) will profoundly reshape familiar scale and chord fingerings. This will challenge players to adapt but also inspires new, creative approaches to melody and harmony. The ability to easily obtain a B Major chord provides a strong tonal center.

Tuning Notes & How to Tune

To achieve the Alternate B Major tuning, follow these steps. All string movements refer to changes from standard guitar tuning (E2-A2-D3-G4-B3-E5).

• String 6 (Low E): Tune to E2.
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Tune to A2.
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Tune to D3.
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Tune to F#4.
  Tune down 1 semitones from its standard G4 pitch.
• String 2 (B): Tune to B3.
  Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Tune to D#5.
  Tune down 1 semitones from its standard E5 pitch.