The Modal Esus4 tuning, famously featured in Darren Korb's composition "The Pantheon (Ain't Gonna Catch You)" from the BASTION ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK, offers a unique and resonant sonic landscape. This tuning deviates significantly from standard E tuning, providing a distinct open chord and facilitating a modal approach to playing.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to E2 B2 E3 A3 B3 E4. When strummed open, this configuration creates a powerful and shimmering E suspended 4th (Esus4) chord. This is achieved by the presence of the root (E) on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings, the perfect fifth (B) on the 5th and 2nd strings, and notably, the perfect fourth (A) on the 3rd string. The absence of a major or minor third gives the tuning an inherently open and unresolved, yet harmonically rich, quality, characteristic of suspended chords. This modal characteristic allows for fluid melodic lines over a consistent harmonic foundation.

The pattern of E, B, E, A, B, E establishes a Root-5th-Root-Root-4th-5th-Root interval structure across the strings. This arrangement makes it very easy to create variations of Esus4 chords, as well as E5 power chords, by simply muting or adding fingers. Barre chords across all strings will naturally produce suspended 4th chords (e.g., a 1st fret barre would yield an Fsus4 chord), offering a quick way to transpose the open sound. The open B strings (5th and 2nd) and E strings (6th, 4th, 1st) provide drone-like qualities, enhancing the open modal feel and making two-finger or single-string melodies particularly effective against the ringing open strings.

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String: B2
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: A3
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String (High E): E4

How to Tune:

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

Important Note: This tuning involves tuning some strings up by 2 semitones. While this is generally safe for standard string gauges, always exercise caution when adjusting string tension to prevent string breakage or potential damage to your instrument. For movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is typically advised, though this tuning does not reach that extreme.