The "Save Your Scissors" tuning, famously associated with Dallas Green of City and Colour, is an evocative open tuning that shapes a unique soundscape, deeply resonating with his signature melancholic and intimate style. This tuning establishes a complex harmonic foundation, built around an E minor 7 chord with an added major 6th, creating a rich and distinctive sonic palette.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to E2 B2 D3 G3 C#5 E4. This configuration fundamentally creates an open Em7(add6) chord (E-G-B-D with an added C#). Let's break down the intervals relative to the E2 root:

• E2 (Low E): The foundational root of the tuning, providing a deep, resonant base.
• B2: A perfect fifth above the root, adding harmonic stability.
• D3: The minor seventh, which introduces a mellow, often bluesy or reflective quality to the overall sound.
• G3: The minor third, clearly establishing the minor tonality of the open chord.
• C#5: This is the most distinctive and unique feature of the tuning. It is a major sixth above the low E, but notably, it's pitched two octaves higher than a standard C#3. This extreme high pitch creates a remarkably bright, almost bell-like or chimey quality that soars above the lower strings, offering unique melodic and harmonic possibilities unlike typical guitar voicings.
• E4 (High E): An octave above the low E, completing the chord and providing a familiar high-end sparkle and resonance.

This tuning naturally lends itself to open string arpeggios, drone-based playing, and fingerstyle arrangements, which are hallmarks of Dallas Green's style. The strong Em7(add6) foundation allows for immediate resonant strumming. The unique presence and high register of the C#5 introduces a distinct melodic voice, making standard major or minor chord voicings feel fresh and unexpected. Chords built around the E minor 7th framework, especially those incorporating the C#, will be particularly accessible, where subtle fingerings can easily introduce extensions and color tones. The wide intervallic stretches, particularly with the high C#5, encourage creative fretboard exploration, leading to unique harmonic clusters and shapes not typically found in standard tuning. Power chords on the lower E, B, D strings will also sound full and distinct within this resonant environment.

The target tuning notes for "Save Your Scissors" are as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5: B2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: C#5 - This string is tuned to a very high C#, providing a bright, piercing, and distinct voice in the tuning.
• String 1 (High E): E4

How to Tune:

To achieve this tuning, begin from standard EADGBe tuning and apply the following adjustments for each string:

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

Important Note on String Tension and Discrepancy: When tuning, always be mindful of string tension. The tuning movements described above (up to 2 semitones) are generally safe for standard gauge strings. However, it's crucial to note a discrepancy between the target note for String 2 (C#5) as listed in the tuning notes and the tuning instructions provided (tune up 2 semitones from B3, which results in C#4). To genuinely achieve C#5 from a standard B3 would require a substantial pitch increase of 15 semitones (an octave and a minor third). Such an extreme change would necessitate a significantly lighter gauge string and extreme caution to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument. For this 'How to Tune' section, we have strictly adhered to the explicit tuning movements provided in the data, which suggest tuning String 2 up by 2 semitones to C#4 from a standard B3. Users aiming for C#5 should be aware of the string gauge implications and exercise extreme caution.