Dive into the ethereal soundscapes of Nick Drake with this unique transposed tuning, set for a capo on the 4th fret. This tuning takes Nick Drake's original C G C F C E and shifts it up a perfect fourth, creating an open sound that is both rich and complex, ideal for fingerstyle playing and intricate melodic lines.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning, which we'll call "Drake's Emaj7sus4 (Capo 4)" for clarity, offers a haunting and resonant quality. The open strings, when considering the correct target notes based on the tuning movements, create an E-based chord, specifically an Emaj7sus4 (E, G#, B, A). This combines the bright, major quality of E major (E, G#, B) with the added tension of the 4th (A) and the characteristic flavor of a major 7th. This combination provides a beautiful harmonic canvas, ripe for open voicings and delicate arpeggios. The wide intervals and varied string tensions contribute to a ringing sustain, perfect for contemplative and intricate pieces.

The tuning feels bright and airy, largely due to the higher pitch of the first string and the overall upward shift from standard tuning on most strings. It would lend itself well to melancholic, contemplative pieces, much like Drake's own work. Its structure encourages exploration beyond conventional chord shapes, inviting players to discover new harmonic possibilities with minimal left-hand effort on the open strings.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are E2, B2, E3, A3, E3, and G#4. (Note: The provided JSON listed G5# for the first string. However, transposing the original C G C F C E tuning up by 4 semitones, and the accompanying 'How to Tune' instructions which specify tuning up 4 semitones from a standard E4, strongly indicates G#4 as the intended pitch for a standard guitar setup. G5# would be an extraordinarily high pitch for a typical guitar string and likely unachievable or damaging.)

Let's examine the intervals from low to high (assuming G#4 for the first string):

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (A3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 3 (A3) to String 2 (E3): Descending Perfect 4th / Ascending Perfect 5th (E3 is 7 semitones below A3)
• String 2 (E3) to String 1 (G#4): Two Octaves and a Major 3rd (E3 to E4 is 12 semitones, E4 to G#4 is 4 semitones; total 16 semitones). This wide interval on the top two strings can create unique drone possibilities and open harmonies.

When played open, the notes E, B, A, G# (with the repeated E's) form an Emaj7sus4 chord (E, G#, B, A are the constituent notes). This chord is characteristic of Drake's sound, providing both consonance and a subtle, yearning tension. The repetition of E across three strings provides a strong root foundation, while the B offers a solid fifth. The A and G# together create the distinct suspended/major 7th character. The transposition allows players to retain the original C G C F C E fingering shapes but hear them in the key of E.

Chords within Reach

The open Emaj7sus4 chord is the natural starting point. By simply barring across any fret, you can achieve transposed versions of this rich, complex chord – for example, a bar at the first fret would yield an Fmaj7sus4, at the second fret an F#maj7sus4, and so on. Simple two and three-finger shapes can unlock new harmonic territories easily. Power chords (root-fifth-octave) are highly accessible, particularly on the lower strings, by simply barring. The unique, wide interval between the 2nd (E3) and 1st (G#4) strings also opens up interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities, allowing for rich voicings using just these two strings.

Open String Notes

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): B2
• String 4 (D): E3
• String 3 (G): A3
• String 2 (B): E3
• String 1 (High E): G#4 (Corrected from G5# in the source JSON based on 'How to Tune' instructions and common guitar range)

How to Tune

To achieve this tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments carefully:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Target Note: E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones (from A2 to B2).
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones (from D3 to E3).
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones (from G3 to A3).
• String 2 (B): Tune down 7 semitones (from B3 to E3). *Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a significant drop in tension. Ensure your string can handle the slack without excessive buzzing. For permanent use, a slightly thicker gauge string for the 2nd string is advised to maintain optimal tension and tone.*
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 4 semitones (from E4 to G#4). *Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones puts considerable tension on a standard string. Proceed carefully to avoid breakage. If the target note were indeed G5# (as initially stated in the JSON, but deemed highly improbable for a standard guitar string due to extreme tension), a much lighter gauge string would be absolutely essential to prevent damage or breakage.*