Em6 Open Tuning: A Rich, Melancholy Landscape

This unique tuning, which we've named "Em6 Open Tuning," transforms your standard guitar into an instrument brimming with sophisticated, minor harmonies. As the original creator noted, it is particularly "Good for 6th and 13th access," making it an excellent choice for players looking to explore jazzy, bluesy, or emotionally deep soundscapes.

Technical Analysis: The Em6 Voicing

• Open Notes: E2 B2 C#4 G3 B3 E4
• When strummed open, these strings coalesce into a full and resonant Em6 chord (E-G-B-C#), featuring a doubled root (E) and a doubled perfect fifth (B). This immediate harmonic richness is a hallmark of this tuning.
• Intervals from the lowest E string: Root (E), Perfect 5th (B), Major 6th (C#), Minor 3rd (G), Perfect 5th (B), Root (E).
• The presence of both the minor third (G) and the major sixth (C#) creates a distinct, melancholic yet sophisticated character, allowing for complex harmonic explorations with minimal effort.

Verbal Analysis & Playability: Unlocking New Sounds

The distinct open Em6 chord provides an immediate sonic foundation for improvisation and songwriting. The arrangement of notes lends itself beautifully to creating textures that are both familiar and fresh. Because the Major 6th (C#) is present on an open string, it significantly eases access to minor 6th chords and dominant 13th voicings up the neck.

Exploring barre chords will reveal a wealth of minor 6th voicings across the fretboard. For instance, a barre at the 2nd fret would yield an F#m6, while the 5th fret would give an Am6. The repeating Perfect 5th intervals (E-B on strings 6-5 and B-E on strings 2-1) offer familiar fingerings for bass lines and melodic patterns, despite the unique middle strings.

The intriguing interval between the 4th (C#) and 3rd (G) strings – a tritone – will challenge and inspire, opening doors to angular and modern voicings. This tuning invites a creative approach, encouraging players to discover new harmonic relationships and melodic possibilities that are not readily available in standard tuning.

String Movement Considerations: Adjusting Your Setup

To achieve this tuning, most strings remain at their standard pitch, but two require adjustment:

• The 5th string is tuned up 2 semitones from standard A2 to B2. While a moderate increase in tension, this is generally safe for most standard string gauges.
• The 4th string is tuned down 1 semitone from standard D3 to C#3. This is a minor adjustment and should not pose any issues.

A noteworthy point regarding the 4th string: while the tuning movement specifies tuning down 1 semitone (typically from D3 to C#3), the final target note provided in the tuning data is C#4. Achieving C#4 on a standard 4th string, especially from a starting point of D3, implies an increase of more than an octave in pitch. This would require an exceptionally light gauge string and extreme tension, or it may suggest an intended setup with a different type of string (e.g., an octave string) not typical for standard guitar. Users should be aware of this potential for very high tension on the 4th string if aiming for C#4.

Given that no string movements *as described by the semitone shift* exceed +/- 4 semitones from their standard pitch, a change in string gauge is not strictly necessary for the indicated semitone shifts. However, if the intent is truly to reach C#4 on the 4th string, an alternative string gauge or setup would be highly advisable.

How to Tune: Em6 Open Tuning

Follow these instructions to set your guitar to the Em6 Open Tuning. Always tune carefully and check pitch frequently, referencing standard EADGBe tuning as your starting point.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones. Raise the pitch from standard A2 to B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone. Lower the pitch from standard D3 to C#3. The final target note for this string, as specified in the tuning data, is C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E4.