The E Major Ascent tuning offers a bright and resonant sound, maintaining the familiar low E and A strings while elevating the D and G strings to higher registers. This tuning, specified as E2 A2 D4# G4# B3 E4, essentially lays out an extended E Major 7th chord (E-G#-B-D#) with an added A (the 4th) across the open strings. The lower strings (E2, A2) provide a solid foundation, while the higher E4 and B3 contribute to a rich, open E major sound.

Technical Analysis:

• Root and Foundation: The 6th (E2) and 5th (A2) strings remain in standard tuning, providing a familiar anchor for bass notes and rhythm.
• High Register Extensions: The 4th (D4#) and 3rd (G4#) strings are dramatically sharpened and specified at very high octaves. From a theoretical EADGBe standard, reaching D4# and G4# from D3 and G3 would require an extreme upward tension increase (+13 semitones), which is highly improbable and likely unsafe for standard guitar strings. If these octaves are accurate, specialized very light gauge strings would be essential, or it may suggest an intended octave interpretation that differs from standard guitar practices, potentially making this tuning more suitable for a unique instrument setup.
• Upper Register: The 2nd (B3) and 1st (E4) strings remain in standard pitch, completing the E major chord structure with the 5th and octave.

Chords and Playability:

The open tuning of E A D# G# B E, if the D# and G# are interpreted as D#3 and G#3 (which aligns with the +1 semitone movement from standard tuning), would inherently present an open E Major 7th (add 4th) chord. The notes E, G#, B, D# form an Emaj7, and the A provides the added 4th. This would lend itself to bright, major key compositions, particularly in E Major.

However, if the D4# and G4# octaves are strictly adhered to, the extremely high tension on the D and G strings would make playing standard chords exceptionally challenging, if not impossible, without dedicated string gauges and a unique guitar setup. The sound produced would be exceptionally bright and high-pitched, potentially suitable for drone-like effects or very specific lead lines rather than traditional chord voicings.

Assuming a more conventional D#3 and G#3 interpretation (which the tuning instructions imply), open E Major and E Major 7th chords would ring out beautifully. By simply fretting the A string at the 2nd fret (B), you get a full E Major chord (E-B-E-G#-B-E). Other major chords in the key of E (like A major, B major) would also be relatively accessible with adjusted fingerings, leveraging the E and B strings for common chord shapes. Minor chords would require careful fingering to avoid the G# and D# or to incorporate them effectively.

Here are the notes for each string in this tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): E2 - This is your standard low E string.
• 5th String (A): A2 - This is your standard A string.
• 4th String (D): D4# - This string is tuned to a D sharp, at a very high octave (D an octave above standard D3, then sharpened). This pitch is extremely high for a guitar D string and typically requires specialist very light gauge strings or may risk string breakage if standard strings are used.
• 3rd String (G): G4# - This string is tuned to a G sharp, also at a very high octave (G an octave above standard G3, then sharpened). Similar to the D string, this high pitch is atypical for a guitar and could require specific string gauges.
• 2nd String (B): B3 - This is your standard B string.
• 1st String (High E): E4 - This is your standard high E string.

How to Tune:

To achieve this E Major Ascent tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and follow these adjustments:

• 6th String (E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone. From a standard D3, this would result in D#3. Please note: The specified target note for this string is D4#. Achieving D4# from a standard D3 would require tuning up 13 semitones, not 1. Proceed with extreme caution if attempting D4#, as it is highly likely to exceed the safe tension limits of standard guitar strings and cause breakage. The +1 semitone movement is more likely intended for D#3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. From a standard G3, this would result in G#3. Please note: The specified target note for this string is G4#. Achieving G4# from a standard G3 would require tuning up 13 semitones, not 1. As with the D string, exercise extreme caution if attempting G4# with standard strings. The +1 semitone movement is more likely intended for G#3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important String Gauge Advisory: When tuning strings significantly up or down (generally beyond 4 semitones in either direction), it is strongly advised to consider using different gauge strings specifically suited for the new tension. While the explicit string movements in this tuning are only +1 semitone, the listed target notes for the D and G strings (D4# and G4#) are exceptionally high for a guitar. Attempting to reach these specific high octaves with standard guitar strings is extremely risky and could lead to string breakage, damage to the instrument, or injury. If the intention is to achieve D4# and G4#, specialized ultra-light gauge strings would be necessary, and even then, caution is advised.