Verbal Analysis: The Mirar Soundscape

The 'Mirar Open EBC' tuning, originally known as the 'Mirar tuning' and utilized by the band Mirar, transforms an 8-string guitar into a resonant, almost orchestral instrument. It creates a vast soundscape, moving between powerful, deep drones and intriguing modal textures. Imagine a massive, open sound that can be both grounding and ethereal, perfect for ambient soundscapes, heavy riffs, or intricate fingerstyle that explores its unique harmonic palette.

At its core, this tuning provides a powerful foundation of E and B notes spanning multiple octaves, which when strummed without the C strings, would yield an enormous E5 power chord. However, the introduction of C notes on the 6th and 1st strings adds a distinctive character, creating a complex, open voicing that's neither purely major nor minor, but rich with potential for atmospheric and introspective music.

Technical Analysis: An 8-String EBC Configuration

This is an 8-string guitar tuning with the following open notes:

• String 8: E1
• String 7: B1
• String 6: C2
• String 5: E2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: E3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: C4

The tuning showcases an intriguing interval structure, moving away from conventional patterns:

• E1 to B1: Perfect 5th
• B1 to C2: Minor 2nd
• C2 to E2: Major 3rd
• E2 to B2: Perfect 5th
• B2 to E3: Perfect 4th (a notable departure, offering unique voicing possibilities)
• E3 to B3: Perfect 5th
• B3 to C4: Minor 2nd

This combination of perfect fifths, a perfect fourth, a major third, and striking minor second intervals creates a wide harmonic spread. The presence of E and B across multiple octaves, with the C notes acting as crucial modal accents, defines its unique character.

Chords and Playability:

The open tuning itself forms a unique chord: E-B-C-E-B-E-B-C. While not a standard triad, it can be interpreted as an E5 chord with an added C (a minor 6th relative to E), providing a rich, open, and slightly dissonant sound. This allows for powerful, full-bodied open strums.

• Open E5 Chord: By muting or avoiding the 6th (C2) and 1st (C4) strings, a massive, resonant E5 power chord can be achieved across six strings (E1, B1, E2, B2, E3, B3), ideal for heavy, droning passages.
• B Minor / C Major Voicings: The proximity of B and C on adjacent strings (B1-C2, B3-C4) offers easy access to tight, dissonant voicings or could be leveraged to imply B minor or C major harmonies when selectively played, especially with a root note from the lower E strings. For example, playing strings 6, 5, 4 (C2, E2, B2) can outline a Cmaj7 sound without the G.
• Drone Potential: The abundance of E and B notes makes this tuning exceptionally well-suited for drone-based music, where open strings can ring out while melodic or rhythmic figures are played on fretted notes.
• Unique Fingerings: The perfect fourth between E2 and B2 (strings 5-4) is less common than a perfect fifth in many tunings and will encourage unique chord voicings and scale patterns.

How to Tune Your Guitar for Mirar Open EBC:

To achieve the 'Mirar Open EBC' tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the instructions below. Please note the significant string tension changes for some strings; a different string gauge may be advisable for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down.

• String 8 (Lowest E1): Tune down 2 semitones to E1.
• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B1.
• String 6 (C2): Tune down 4 semitones to C2. Exercise caution, as this is a significant tension change.
• String 5 (E2): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial change. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain playability and string integrity.
• String 4 (B2): Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2 (B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (Highest C4): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. Exercise caution, as this is a significant tension change.