The Jose Martinez Tuning

The Jose Martinez tuning is an intriguing alternative tuning for the Guitar, specifically described as an alternative acoustic tuning for percussive style. It offers a unique sonic landscape, departing significantly from standard EADGBe tuning.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning has a wonderfully open and resonant quality, lending itself beautifully to percussive playing techniques. When strummed open, it creates a sound that is both suspended and slightly melancholic, inviting exploration. The presence of multiple E and B notes provides a strong, drone-like foundation, while the A and D strings add harmonic color and tension, suggesting a world of possibilities for intricate fingerstyle patterns and rhythmic accents. It avoids a straightforward major or minor feel, instead leaning into an expansive, ethereal soundscape that can be very evocative for acoustic compositions.

Technical Analysis

The Jose Martinez tuning sets the guitar strings to E2 B2 E3 A3 B3 D4, from low to high. Let's break down the intervals:

• 6th String (E2): The foundational root.
• 5th String (B2): A Perfect 5th above the low E2.
• 4th String (E3): An octave above the low E2, providing a powerful resonance.
• 3rd String (A3): A Perfect 4th above E3, or a Major 6th above E2. This interval creates a suspended quality.
• 2nd String (B3): A Perfect 5th above E3, or an octave above B2, reinforcing the strong B presence.
• 1st String (D4): A Minor 7th above E3, or a Minor 3rd above B3. This note solidifies the minor and suspended harmonic character.

When played open, the tuning features the notes E, A, B, and D. This collection of notes most closely aligns with an E minor 7th chord with a suspended 4th (Em7sus4), or an E minor 11th chord without the 3rd (G). The open fifths and octaves (E-B-E-B) provide harmonic stability, while the A and D introduce a distinct, somewhat bluesy or modal flavor. Chords like open E minor shapes will feel natural, but the suspended A will add a fresh twist. Experiment with droning the low E and B strings while fretting shapes on the middle strings for interesting harmonies.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Jose Martinez

To achieve the Jose Martinez tuning, adjust your strings as follows. All movements are relative to standard E Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4):

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) - Target Note: E2
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones - Target Note: B2 (from A2)
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones - Target Note: E3 (from D3)
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones - Target Note: A3 (from G3)
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) - Target Note: B3
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones - Target Note: D4 (from E4)

Important Tuning Advisory: When adjusting your guitar's tuning, always proceed with caution. The changes required for this tuning are generally moderate (+/- 2 semitones) and should be safe for most standard guitar string gauges. However, for tunings that require movements of more than 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to consider a different string gauge to ensure optimal playability and prevent potential damage to your instrument or strings.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to E2

String 5 (A): Tuned to B2

String 4 (D): Tuned to E3

String 3 (G): Tuned to A3

String 2 (B): Tuned to B3

String 1 (High E): Tuned to D4