Verbal Analysis:

This unique tuning, popularized by the band Giraffes? Giraffes! for their track "When The Catholic Girls Go Camping, The Nicotine Vampires Rule Supreme," immediately suggests a soundscape suitable for math-rock, post-hardcore, or experimental genres. The repeated E and A notes create a resonant, almost droning quality that can provide a massive sonic foundation. The inclusion of the G on the second string, a minor third relative to the low E, injects a distinctly melancholic or introspective character into the open voicing. This arrangement invites intricate arpeggios, complex melodic lines over sustained open strings, and can lead to unusual, dissonant, yet compelling chord shapes that diverge significantly from standard tuning conventions. It's a tuning designed for sonic exploration, offering both power and nuanced harmonic possibilities.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are E2 A2 E3 A3 G3 E4. Let's break down its structure and potential:

• Open Chord: Strumming all open strings yields an E minor sus4 chord (E-G-A). Specifically, it's rich with octaves and perfect fourths: E (root), A (perfect 4th), E (octave root), A (octave 4th), G (minor 3rd), and E (octave root). This provides a very full and resonant minor sound with a suspended quality, ideal for impactful, ringing chords.
• Intervals and Voicing: The lower three strings (E2 A2 E3) form a powerful E5 chord, perfect for solid rhythmic foundations. The duplication of E and A notes across different octaves creates a thick, harmonically rich canvas. The interval between the 4th string (E3) and 3rd string (A3) is a perfect 4th. However, the interval between the 3rd string (A3) and 2nd string (G3) is a tight major 7th (or a minor 2nd down), which is a significant deviation from standard tuning and will lead to unique, often dissonant, voicings.
• Chordal Opportunities:
  • Open E minor sus4: As noted, the entire open tuning forms this distinctive chord, perfect for powerful, sustained passages.
  • E Power Chords: The lowest three strings (E2 A2 E3) naturally form a very resonant E5 power chord, ready for heavy riffing or drone.
  • A Power Chords: By fretting the 6th string at the 5th fret (A), you can easily achieve a strong A5 power chord across the lower strings (A-A-E).
  • Unique Minor Voicings: The presence of the G (minor 3rd) on the 2nd string makes constructing various E minor and A minor voicings highly accessible, often requiring simpler fingerings than in standard tuning, but with distinct harmonic flavors.
  • Drone and Arpeggiation: The numerous open E and A strings across octaves are excellent for droning techniques, allowing for intricate melodic lines or percussive tapping to be played over a sustained harmonic bed.

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Giraffes? Giraffes!' tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Original note E2.
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Original note A2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E. Original note D3. Caution: Tuning up 2 semitones is a moderate change; ensure your string gauge can handle the increased tension safely.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A. Original note G3. Caution: Tuning up 2 semitones is a moderate change; ensure your string gauge can handle the increased tension safely.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones to G. Original note B3. Warning: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. This can make the string feel quite loose. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider a heavier gauge string for this position to maintain optimal tone and playability.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Original note E4.

String 6: Tuned to E2 (Low E)

String 5: Tuned to A2

String 4: Tuned to E3

String 3: Tuned to A3

String 2: Tuned to G3

String 1: Tuned to E4 (High E)