Tuning Overview: Tritone Row on E

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "Tritone Row on E," is described as being generated from half of a 12-note tone row, involving second and tritone progressions. It presents a highly unconventional and dissonant sonic landscape, moving far beyond standard guitar tunings.

Verbal Analysis

Stepping into the "Tritone Row on E" tuning is an invitation to explore a realm of sound characterized by tension, angularity, and unexpected harmonic relationships. The predominant use of tritones and non-standard intervals across the strings creates a naturally dissonant and open-ended sound. This isn't a tuning for easy strumming of familiar chords; rather, it encourages a more experimental approach, ideal for crafting unique melodies, avant-garde textures, or modern compositional techniques. Players looking to break free from conventional harmony and delve into polytonal or atonal expressions will find this tuning to be a challenging yet profoundly rewarding canvas.

Technical Analysis

The open strings in this tuning are set to E2 A#3 C#4 G3 B3 F4 (from the lowest 6th string to the highest 1st string). Let's examine the intervals between adjacent strings:

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A#3): This is a compound augmented 4th (tritone) plus an octave, an exceptionally wide interval of 18 semitones.
• String 5 (A#3) to String 4 (C#4): A minor 3rd (3 semitones).
• String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (G3): This presents a significant descending leap of a perfect 5th (7 semitones down).
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3): A major 3rd (4 semitones).
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (F4): An augmented 4th or tritone (6 semitones).

The recurring tritone interval (E2-A#3, B3-F4) is a defining characteristic, aligning with the tuning's name. The open string chord formed by E-A#-C#-G-B-F is highly dissonant and does not resolve into any common major, minor, or dominant seventh chord. Instead, it forms a complex cluster. While the presence of E, G, and B might hint at an E minor quality, this is heavily subverted by the A#, C#, and F, creating strong clashes and a pervasive sense of unresolved tension. This tuning is designed to deconstruct traditional harmonic expectations and foster a landscape for truly novel harmonic and melodic explorations.

Given its unique structure, traditional chord shapes will largely be rendered unusable. Players will need to discover new fingerings and voicings to navigate this tuning, leading to fresh and unexpected chordal possibilities. It lends itself well to techniques like tapping, slide, or open string drones where the dissonant intervals can create atmospheric or unsettling effects.

Tuning Notes: Tritone Row on E

Below are the specific notes for each string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string:

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): A#3
• String 4 (D): C#4
• String 3 (G): G3
• String 2 (B): B3
• String 1 (High E): F4

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Tritone Row on E" tuning, follow these precise adjustments from standard E Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4):

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

Important Note on String Gauge: Adjustments of 4 semitones or more (either up or down) from your guitar's standard tuning may put excessive tension on your strings or cause them to be too slack. For movements exceeding 4 semitones, it is generally advised to consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal playability and to prevent potential damage to your instrument. In this particular tuning, all movements are within a safe range for standard string gauges.