Verbal Analysis

The 'A# Monolith Drone' tuning immediately strikes with its deep, resonant quality. Dominated by multiple A# notes across various octaves, it creates a powerful and persistent drone effect that can feel both expansive and haunting. The low E string provides a sturdy, contrasting foundation, grounding the sharp, almost metallic shimmer of the unison A#s. This tuning evokes a sense of grandeur, tension, or an otherworldly atmosphere, making it exceptionally well-suited for genres like ambient, experimental rock, metal, doom, or even film scoring where a sustained, immersive soundscape is desired. Strumming the open A# strings together will produce a thick, chorus-like resonance that is truly unique.

Technical Analysis

This tuning configures your guitar to: E2 - A3# - A3# - A4# - A4# - A4# (from lowest to highest string). The structure is defined by a low E root and five strings tuned to A# across two octaves (A3# and A4#). The intervals between the open strings are:

• 6th String (E2) to 5th String (A3#): An octave and a minor 6th (20 semitones).
• 5th String (A3#) to 4th String (A3#): Unison (0 semitones).
• 4th String (A3#) to 3rd String (A4#): Octave (12 semitones).
• 3rd String (A4#) to 2nd String (A4#): Unison (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (A4#) to 1st String (A4#): Unison (0 semitones).

The consistent presence of A# forms a powerful harmonic center, creating an open sound that could be interpreted as a type of E augmented chord or implying scales like E Lydian Augmented or even a darker E Phrygian Dominant if the A# is treated as a major third of F#. The unison tuning of the top three strings (A4#) makes for incredibly thick voicings when played, allowing for rich melodic lines or powerful, sustained chords with minimal effort.

Open & Reachable Chords

• Open Strings: Strumming all open strings yields a complex drone centered around E and A#, a sound that can be perceived as an E(add#4/b5) or a unique E Lydian #2 voicing. This serves as a potent harmonic foundation for improvisation.
• Barre Chords: Due to the unison A# notes on the top three strings, simply barring a single fret across strings 1, 2, and 3 will produce thick, three-note unison voicings, creating powerful, harmonically dense chords. For example, barring at the 1st fret (B) on these strings produces B-B-B at the 5th octave.
• Drone Manipulation: The low E string can be easily fretted to change the root of the drone, offering many possibilities. Fret the 6th string at the 3rd fret (G) to create a G with the persistent A# drone, or the 7th fret (B) for a B with A# drone, leading to intriguing harmonic conflicts and resolutions.

Important Tuning Considerations

Please note the significant changes in string tension. String 1 is tuned down 6 semitones, and String 4 is tuned down 4 semitones. Conversely, String 3 is tuned up 3 semitones. For changes exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is generally advisable to use a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension, prevent string breakage, and ensure the best tone and intonation.

This tuning sets your guitar's open strings to the following notes:

• String 6 (Lowest): E2
• String 5: A3#
• String 4: A3#
• String 3: A4#
• String 2: A4#
• String 1 (Highest): A4#

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the 'A# Monolith Drone' tuning, follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 1 semitones. The target note is A3#.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones. The target note is A3#.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 3 semitones. The target note is A4#.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitones. The target note is A4#.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 6 semitones. The target note is A4#.

Please refer to the 'Important Tuning Considerations' in the main description regarding string gauge recommendations for significant semitone changes.