Altered Wurlitzer Tuning Analysis

This is an intriguing modification, described as having "took the one with the wurlitzer tuning and changed up one string boom shakalaka." This suggests a playful yet deliberate alteration to an existing, perhaps well-known, tuning, aiming for a fresh sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

The 'Altered Wurlitzer Tuning' presents a rich, open E6 chord across its strings, making it immediately resonant and harmonically full. When strummed open, it evokes a bright, somewhat jazzy, or sophisticated folk sound, perfect for genres like blues, country, contemporary folk, and softer rock where a lush, defined chordal foundation is desired. The prominent E and B notes, paired with the distinctive C#4, create a ringing sustain that feels both familiar and subtly unique. It's a tuning that invites open chord exploration and slide playing, allowing for rich drones and melodic voicings that effortlessly sit within an E Major or C# minor context. The 'boom shakalaka' in its original description perfectly captures the immediate impact and vibrant character of this tuning.

Technical Analysis

This guitar tuning, with its open notes E2, B2, C#4, E3, B3, E4, forms an E6 chord. This means the open strings directly produce the root (E), perfect fifth (B), and major sixth (C#) of the E Major scale, spread across several octaves for a full and vibrant sound.

The specific voicing across the strings is:

• String 6 (E2): The foundational root note.
• String 5 (B2): A perfect fifth above the root, providing strong harmonic support.
• String 4 (C#4): This is the major sixth, an octave above a typical C#3, adding brightness and the distinctive E6 flavor.
• String 3 (E3): An octave above the low E2, reinforcing the root.
• String 2 (B3): An octave above the B2, further reinforcing the perfect fifth.
• String 1 (E4): Another octave reinforcing the root, adding shimmer to the top end.

The strategic placement of E, B, and C# notes makes many chords incredibly accessible. Simply barring across a single fret will produce various 6th chords (e.g., barring the 2nd fret yields an F#6 chord). The intervals between strings (e.g., E2 to B2 is a perfect fifth, B2 to C#4 is a major tenth, E3 to B3 is a perfect fifth) create interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities, making it easy to create drones or pedal tones. The presence of the C# as a high note for string 4 is a key characteristic, defining the unique character of this tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Altered Wurlitzer Tuning' from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these instructions for each string:

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

String 6: E2

String 5: B2

String 4: C#4

String 3: E3

String 2: B3

String 1: E4