Tuning Analysis: Invalids Eunoia Tuning

This unique tuning, known here as the 'Invalids Eunoia Tuning', is famously employed by the band Invalids on their album Eunoia. It offers a distinctive sonic landscape that deviates from traditional open tunings, fostering an environment for creative dissonance and complex harmonic textures. While it shares some characteristics with an Open E tuning due to the strong presence of E and B notes, the inclusion of A# introduces an intriguing twist.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning presents a resonant, almost droning quality thanks to the multiple E and B notes across the strings. However, the sharpened third string (A#) prevents it from resolving into a simple major or minor triad when strummed openly. This creates a sound that is both full and slightly dissonant or 'outside', lending itself well to experimental, math rock, or progressive genres where unexpected harmonies are prized. The repeating E and B notes provide a powerful foundation for riffs and melodic lines, while the A# challenges conventional chord shapes and encourages exploration of more angular or suspended voicings. It is not an 'easy' open chord tuning in the traditional sense, but rather a canvas for unique sonic expression.

Technical Analysis

• Open Notes: E2 B2 E3 A4# B3 E4
• Intervals from Low E:
  • String 6 (E2): Root
  • String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th
  • String 4 (E3): Octave
  • String 3 (A4#): This note, an A# (enharmonically Bb), creates a complex interval relationship. Relative to the low E, it is an augmented 4th / diminished 5th, but an octave higher than one might expect from a simple 'Open E' variant. This is the most distinctive interval, significantly altering the harmonic character.
  • String 2 (B3): Perfect 5th (one octave higher than String 5)
  • String 1 (E4): Octave (two octaves higher than String 6, one octave higher than String 4)

The tuning features stacked octaves and perfect fifths (E-B-E and B-E), providing immense power and sustain. The A# (enharmonically Bb) on the third string is the defining characteristic, moving the tuning away from a straightforward major or minor chord. When strummed openly, this creates an E5 power chord foundation with an added augmented fourth (A#), resulting in a striking, slightly jarring, but musically rich sound. This setup is ideal for creating expansive textures and powerful, yet complex, riffs.

Chords and Playability

While not designed for easy major/minor chord shapes, this tuning offers unique opportunities:

• Open Chord: The open strings form an E power chord (E-B-E-B-E) with an additional A# on the third string. This creates an E(add#4) or E(addb5) type of sound, which is inherently dissonant and modern.
• Power Chords: Simple two-finger power chords (root and fifth) can be easily formed across various string sets, particularly on strings 6, 5, 4, 2, and 1.
• Barre Chords: Barring across all strings at any fret will produce consistent interval patterns, leading to complex, drone-like voicings with the characteristic A# interval. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields F C F B C F, maintaining the unique intervallic structure.
• Melody and Riffs: The consistent E and B notes across multiple strings facilitate the creation of strong melodic lines and heavy, resonant riffs, allowing for creative use of the open strings as drones against fretted notes.
• Suspended and Augmented Voicings: The A# naturally lends itself to exploring suspended or augmented chord qualities, encouraging players to think beyond standard triadic harmony.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Invalids Eunoia Tuning' from standard E A D G B E, follow these string movements:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones. From A2, tune up to B2. This movement is within safe limits for a standard gauge string.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones. From D3, tune up to E3. This movement is within safe limits for a standard gauge string.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 3 semitones. From standard G3, tune up to A#3. This movement, while within safe limits for a standard gauge string (under 4 semitones), is a notable change. Important Note: The final target pitch provided in the 'tuning_notes' for this string is A4#. Achieving A4# from standard G3 would require tuning up 15 semitones (an octave and three semitones), which is a significant and potentially dangerous increase in tension for a standard gauge string. The 'string_movements' instructions explicitly state 'Tune up 3 semitones', which results in A#3. Please verify your intended target note and consider a much lighter gauge string if your goal is indeed A4# to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument. For this 'How to Tune' section, we strictly adhere to the 'string_movements' data.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The note remains E4.

Important: Always tune carefully. Movements of more than 4 semitones (either up or down) generally advise the use of a different gauge string to avoid breakage or excessive/insufficient tension, and movements close to this threshold should also be approached with caution.

The open string notes for this tuning are:

• String 6: E2
• String 5: B2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A4#
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4