The "Oh Fudge" Tuning: A Harmonically Rich Landscape for Acoustic Exploration

Named with a whimsical touch, the "Oh Fudge" tuning is a distinctive setup primarily designed for Acoustic Music. It steers away from standard tuning to unlock unique open voicings and melodic possibilities, inviting players to explore new harmonic territories often favored in folk, fingerstyle, and singer-songwriter genres.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning maintains the familiar low and high E strings, providing comforting anchor points, while significantly revoicing the inner strings. The movement of the 5th string up from A to B, and the 2nd string down from B to A, creates an intriguing internal symmetry and reshapes the guitar's harmonic landscape. Players will find that traditional chord shapes no longer apply, encouraging a fresh approach to the fretboard. Instead, the open strings themselves form a rich, complex harmony.

When strummed open, this tuning reveals a beautiful G6/9 chord (G-B-D-E-A), offering a bright, sophisticated, and open sound that resonates wonderfully on an acoustic instrument. It can also be perceived as an E minor 11th chord (E-G-B-D-A), providing a soulful and melancholic texture. This duality suggests versatility for both uplifting and contemplative pieces. The altered intervals make it conducive to modal playing and creating drone-like textures with ease.

Technical Analysis

• Tuning Configuration: E2 B2 D3 G3 A3 E4
• Comparison to Standard Tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E):
  • String 6 (Low E) remains E2.
  • String 5 is tuned up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
  • String 4 (D) remains D3.
  • String 3 (G) remains G3.
  • String 2 is tuned down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
  • String 1 (High E) remains E4.
• Open String Harmony: The combination of E-B-D-G-A-E forms a complex but resonant open chord. Interpreted from G as the root, it creates a lush G6/9 (G-B-D-E-A), ideal for expansive acoustic soundscapes. From E as the root, it presents an E minor 11th (E-G-B-D-A), perfect for contemplative moods. The presence of both the minor third (G) and major third (B) in relation to the D on string 4 provides interesting harmonic possibilities when playing partial chords.
• Chordal Opportunities: While standard chord shapes are largely unusable, the unique intervals readily lend themselves to:
  • Open, ringing voicings based on G major or E minor with extensions.
  • Easy access to suspended chords, particularly around D (e.g., Dsus4add9 from D-G-A-E).
  • Harmonies built on open string drones, creating a rich soundscape for fingerpicking.
  • Chords with common tones across different strings, making movement between voicings fluid and resonant.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Oh Fudge" tuning, follow these string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune to E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A String): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2.
• String 4 (D String): Tune to D3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G String): Tune to G3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B String): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune to E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

These string adjustments are moderate, staying within a 2-semitone range. Standard gauge strings should be suitable without issue.

String 6: E2

String 5: B2

String 4: D3

String 3: G3

String 2: A3

String 1: E4