My Bloody Valentine's Dream Wake Tuning

Inspired by My Bloody Valentine's track, 'When You Wake (You're Still In A Dream)', this guitar tuning is an immersive journey into atmospheric soundscapes. It’s designed to evoke a sense of ethereal wonder and sonic density, characteristic of the shoegaze genre. Verbally, the tuning feels open, resonant, and slightly mysterious, with a blend of familiar bass notes and unexpectedly bright or suspended higher strings that create a shimmering, layered effect.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning, E2-A2-G#3-D3-G3-D4, deviates significantly from standard EADGBe, especially in the middle and higher registers. The two lowest strings (E2 and A2) remain at their standard pitch, providing a solid, familiar foundation. The intrigue begins with the 4th string, tuned to G#3, which creates an unexpected major seventh interval with the open A string below it. The subsequent D3 (3rd string), G3 (2nd string), and D4 (1st string) form a resonant cluster that, when strummed open, creates a complex, open chord. The combination of G#3, D3, G3, D4 suggests a D-based harmony with a unique character due to the G# – it's neither a straightforward major nor minor, lending itself to suspended, augmented, or Lydian-inflected voicings. This technical arrangement makes the tuning ideal for sustained drones, arpeggiated figures that highlight its distinctive intervals, and creating dense, textural sonic washes.

Potential Chords & Voicings:

While not suited for conventional chord shapes, this tuning excels at:

• Open String Resonance: A full open strum creates a rich, complex, and highly resonant chord, serving as an immediate sonic signature.
• Drones: The persistent E2 and A2, along with the D notes on strings 3 and 1, provide excellent opportunities for sustained drone textures.
• Two- and Three-Note Voicings: Simple fingerings across two or three higher strings can yield ethereal harmonies, leveraging the G#3 for unique color.
• Barre Shapes: Applying barre fingerings up the neck will transpose the open string intervals, creating consistent harmonic structures with the tuning's unique flavor.
• Melodic Exploration: The non-standard intervals invite creative melodic lines that emphasize the tuning's distinct tonal qualities, particularly the G#3.

How to Tune:

Please tune your guitar from standard EADGBe tuning. It's advisable to use an electronic tuner for accuracy. Exercise caution with significant tuning adjustments, especially when increasing string tension.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D): Tune down 6 semitones. (Note: Tuning down 6 semitones from standard D3 results in G#2. The target note for this string is G#3. Use a tuner to accurately reach the final G#3 pitch.) For movements exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, a different string gauge may be advised for optimal performance and string life.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones. (Note: Tuning down 5 semitones from standard G3 results in C3. The target note for this string is D3. Use a tuner to accurately reach the final D3 pitch.) For movements exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, a different string gauge may be advised for optimal performance and string life.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones. (Results in G3). For movements of 4 semitones or above in either direction, a different string gauge may be advised for optimal performance and string life.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones. (Results in D4).

Here are the notes for each string of your guitar, from the thickest (lowest pitch) to the thinnest (highest pitch):

• String 6: E2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: D3
• String 2: G3
• String 1: D4