Verbal Analysis

This unique banjo tuning, named "Empire Empire Banjo Re-Entrant Tuning", is specifically crafted for the band Empire Empire I Was a Lonely State's song "With Your Greatest Fears Realized You Will Not Be Comforted." It's a highly expressive and somewhat unconventional tuning for a banjo, employing a re-entrant string configuration that adds a distinctive character to its sound. The open strings create a lush, complex harmony that blends both major and minor qualities, contributing to an ethereal or melancholic sonic landscape.

The tuning prominently features a C# minor triad (C#, E, G#) and an A major 7th chord (A, C#, E, G#) within its open string voicing, allowing for rich harmonic textures and arpeggiated figures. The inclusion of the D note on the 4th string adds a layer of tension, perhaps suggesting a suspended quality or a #11 extension when considering A as the root. This complexity makes the open strings resonate with a full, resonant chord that can evoke a sense of drama and introspection, perfectly suited for emotive musical compositions. The re-entrant nature, where the 3rd string (G4#) is pitched significantly higher than the 2nd string (A3), is a hallmark of traditional banjo playing, adapted here to a 6-string context to create a wider and more intricate sonic palette.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this 6-string banjo is precisely set to E2 A2 D3 G4# A3 C5# from the 6th (lowest) to the 1st (highest) string. This is a highly re-entrant and wide-ranging tuning. Key observations regarding the intervals between adjacent strings, using the precise octave designations provided, include:

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G4#): This is an extremely significant jump of 18 semitones (an octave and an augmented 4th/tritone). The 3rd string G4# is notably high in pitch relative to the D3.
• String 3 (G4#) to String 2 (A3): This is the core re-entrant feature. The 2nd string A3 is 11 semitones (a minor 7th) lower in pitch than the 3rd string G4#, creating a dramatic shift in string order pitch.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (C5#): Another substantial jump of 16 semitones (an octave and a major 3rd). The 1st string C5# is very high in pitch compared to the A3.

The open strings provide the notes E, A, D, G#, and C#. This specific combination readily forms:

• C# Minor Triad (C# E G#): This chord can be voiced using the 1st (C5#), 6th (E2), and 3rd (G4#) strings.
• A Major 7th Chord (A C# E G#): This rich chord is available using the 5th (A2), 2nd (A3), 1st (C5#), 6th (E2), and 3rd (G4#) strings.

The D3 on the 4th string adds a distinctive melodic and harmonic color, creating a complex open voicing that offers a unique sonic palette for intricate melodies, arpeggios, and drones. The entire pitch range, from E2 to C5#, spans over three octaves, contributing significantly to the tuning's striking and expansive sound.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Empire Empire Banjo Re-Entrant Tuning", start from a standard 6-string banjo tuning (typically EADGBE) and adjust your strings as follows. Please tune carefully, especially when increasing string tension, and always verify the pitch with a tuner.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final note: E2.

• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final note: A2.

• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final note: D3.

• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone. Final note: G4#.

• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones. Final note: A3.

• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones. Final note: C5#.

Note: For tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to consider using a different string gauge to avoid excessive tension or slack and ensure optimal playability and string longevity. In this tuning, while no individual movement exceeds 3 semitones, the significant pitch jumps between adjacent strings (e.g., D3 to G4# or A3 to C5#) create a non-standard setup that may benefit from careful string selection and setup adjustments to maintain comfortable playability.

String 6: E2 (Lowest pitch)

String 5: A2

String 4: D3

String 3: G4#

String 2: A3

String 1: C5# (Highest pitch)