The Raised E tuning offers a unique and resonant soundscape by making a single, impactful alteration to standard guitar tuning. It’s a fantastic choice for guitarists looking to explore new sonic textures and open voicings without completely abandoning the familiar framework of E Standard.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning takes the familiar EADGBe landscape and introduces a subtle yet impactful alteration: the fourth string (D) is raised a whole step to E. This creates a powerful, drone-like quality, particularly around the E root, giving chords and melodies a rich, sustained resonance. It lends itself well to genres that benefit from strong, open-string harmony and can inspire new melodic and rhythmic approaches. Players will find open E chords resonate with enhanced depth, and the altered fourth string can simplify certain voicings, making it a comfortable yet adventurous step into alternative tunings.

Technical Analysis

The tuning configuration for Raised E is E-A-E-G-B-E. This is derived from standard tuning (EADGBe) with the crucial modification being the 4th string, which is typically D, being tuned up two semitones (a whole step) to E. This specific arrangement immediately presents a strong E minor chord (E-G-B) across the 6th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings, with the 1st string also being E. The open 5th string (A) provides a clear fourth interval, enhancing the overall harmonic richness and allowing for open voicings that lean into E minor or E minor 11. The presence of three E strings at different octaves (E2, E3, E4) provides a full, harmonically rich foundation, making open E-based chords and arpeggios particularly resonant and easy to execute.

How to Tune

To achieve the Raised E tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E. (Note: Tuning up 2 semitones is generally safe for standard string gauges, but always exercise caution when increasing string tension.)
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

6th String: E2

5th String: A2

4th String: E3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: B3

1st String: E4