This unique tuning, known as "Roslyn Bon Iver," is specifically crafted to play the Bon Iver song Roslyn. It departs significantly from standard guitar tuning, creating a distinctive sonic landscape that contributes to the song's atmospheric and emotive qualities.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to E2 B2 D3 F#4 D4 F#5. This arrangement of notes presents a rich harmonic texture. Analysing the open strings, we find the notes E, B, D, and F#. This configuration allows for several interesting harmonic interpretations:

• It prominently features a D major triad (D, F#), reinforced by the repeated D4 and F#5, giving a strong sense of D major even with the E and B.
• Including the E and B, the open strings can form a complex harmony resembling a D major 6/9 chord (D F# A B E) if played over a D root, or an E minor 7 add 9 (E G B D F#) if the G is implied and played over an E root. The specific voicings across the strings create a unique shimmer and drone quality, often characteristic of Bon Iver's intricate soundscapes.
• The presence of octaves (D3 and D4, F#4 and F#5) and a perfect fifth (E2 to B2) further enhances the resonance, creating a full and sustaining sound even with open strings. This allows for rich harmonic backdrops with minimal fretting, making certain melodic or chordal passages particularly effective.

This tuning is designed to facilitate specific voicings and melodic patterns central to the song, making certain otherwise complex fingerings accessible or creating unique harmonic textures when strummed open or with minimal fretting.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Roslyn Bon Iver

To achieve the "Roslyn Bon Iver" tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard EADGBe tuning as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B. The note becomes B2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#. The note becomes F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones to D. The note becomes D4. Note: Tuning up 3 semitones puts increased tension on the string. Proceed with caution to avoid string breakage. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a lighter gauge for this string.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#. The note becomes F#5.

Always tune slowly and carefully. After significant changes, it's advisable to check your guitar's intonation.

The notes for the "Roslyn Bon Iver" tuning are as follows:

• 6th String (Lowest): E2
• 5th String: B2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F#4
• 2nd String: D4
• 1st String (Highest): F#5