EBDGBD Guitar Tuner
EBDGBD Shanghai Tuning - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
This is the "Shanghai Tuning," a distinctive guitar tuning popularized by the acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Andy McKee, as described in his composition "The Tuning From Shanghai."
Verbal Analysis:
- The open string notes are E, B, D, G, B, D. This creates a rich, resonant sound that, while not a simple major or minor triad, strongly evokes an E minor 7th chord (E-G-B-D). The 5th (B) and minor 7th (D) are doubled across the strings, giving it a full, sustained quality ideal for percussive and melodic fingerstyle playing.
- The tuning allows for open, ringing harmonies and makes certain chord shapes easily accessible. For instance, the open strings clearly outline an E minor triad (E-G-B) and a G major triad (G-B-D). The low E provides a solid bass foundation for these harmonic possibilities.
Technical Analysis:
- The tuning deviates from standard EADGBe in three key areas:
- The 5th string (normally A2) is raised by 2 semitones to B2.
- The 1st string (normally E4) is lowered by 2 semitones to D4.
- The remaining strings (6th E, 4th D, 3rd G, 2nd B) remain at their standard pitches.
- The resulting open string notes are E2-B2-D3-G3-B3-D4.
- This configuration provides a unique intervallic structure. The presence of the root (E), minor third (G), fifth (B), and minor seventh (D) in the open strings forms an extended Em7 chord, making this a very versatile tuning for melancholic or contemplative pieces.
Tuning Notes:
String 6 (Low E): E2
String 5 (A): B2
String 4 (D): D3
String 3 (G): G3
String 2 (B): B3
String 1 (High E): D4
How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe):
- String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
- String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
- String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.
Note: All string adjustments for this tuning are within a range that generally does not require a change in string gauge. However, always exercise caution when tuning strings up, especially if your guitar is not accustomed to such tension.
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More EBDGBD Resources
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Songs tuned to EBDGBD
Artist | Song | Album | Tab |
---|---|---|---|
Dead Meadow | Greensky Greenlake | Dead Meadow | View Tab |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S6
- S5
- S4
- S3
- S2
- S1
- -13
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- -12
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- -11
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- -10
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- -9
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- -8
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- -7
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- -6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- -5
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- -4
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G
- C
- -3
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- G#
- C#
- -2
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A
- D
- -1
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- A#
- D#
- 0
- E
- A
- D
- G
- B
- E
- 1
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C
- F
- 2
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- C#
- F#
- 3
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D
- G
- 4
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- D#
- G#
- 5
- A
- D
- G
- C
- E
- A
- 6
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F
- A#
- 7
- B
- E
- A
- D
- F#
- B
- 0
- 2
- 0
- 0
- 0
- -2