Tuning Analysis: Oakwood

This unique guitar tuning, named "Oakwood" and notably used in the song "Im Still Cheering For The 1980 Us Hockey Team," presents a bright, resonant, and expansive sonic landscape. It ventures significantly beyond standard tuning, offering distinct harmonic possibilities and a wide intervallic spread, particularly in the higher register.

Verbal Analysis

The Oakwood tuning is characterized by its powerful low E string, coupled with a series of resonant perfect fifths and fourths in the lower-middle strings (E2-B2-E3-B3). This creates a strong, open, and almost drone-like foundation. The most striking aspect is the dramatic leap to the very high D#5 and F#5 on the top two strings. This creates a shimmering, almost bell-like quality, allowing for melodies and arpeggios to soar above the foundational harmony. The overall feel is bright and resonant, leaning towards a major tonality with a distinct "openness" that encourages sympathetic ringing of strings.

Technical Analysis

The open tuning notes are E2-B2-E3-B3-D#5-F#5.

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (B2): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (E3): A Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (B3): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• String 3 (B3) to String 2 (D#5): This is a very large interval of 16 semitones, spanning an octave and a Major Third (B3 to D#4, then up an octave to D#5). This creates a significant jump in pitch and a wide sonic gap between the middle and high registers.
• String 2 (D#5) to String 1 (F#5): A Minor Third (3 semitones).

The open strings form a harmony that can be analyzed as an E Major sonority. The notes E, B, D#, F# are present. This essentially creates an E Major chord (E-B-E-B) with a Major 7th (D#) and a Major 9th (F#) in the upper octaves. It closely resembles an E Major 7 add 9 chord, albeit without the G#. The strong presence of E and B across multiple octaves lends itself to powerful open chord voicings and drone effects. The high D# and F# add a chiming, almost Lydian-like quality, making it suitable for bright, ethereal arpeggios or melodic lines.

Chordal and Playability Observations

• Open Chords: The open tuning itself is rich, implying an E Major 7 add 9 (missing G#) sound. It's ready for immediate use in E Major contexts.
• Barre Chords: The E-B-E-B pattern across the lower four strings (6-3) suggests that one-finger barres can create powerful open fifths and octaves that can be easily shifted up and down the neck, maintaining the core E-B relationship. For example, barring all four strings at the 2nd fret would give F# C# F# C#.
• Melodic Opportunities: The distinct and high-pitched D#5 and F#5 on the top strings are ideal for lead melodies, intricate arpeggios, or sparkling harmonic textures that can cut through the mix.
• Drone Potential: The repeated E and B notes allow for strong drone playing, where lower strings ring out while higher strings play moving lines.

How to Tune

To achieve the Oakwood tuning, starting from standard EADGBe guitar tuning, follow these adjustments carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note is B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note is E3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 4 semitones. The target note is B3. (Note: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases string tension. Consider a lighter gauge string if this is a permanent or frequently used tuning.)
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 4 semitones. The target note is D#4. (Note: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases string tension. Consider a lighter gauge string if this is a permanent or frequently used tuning.)
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note is F#4.

Please exercise caution when tuning strings up, especially by 4 or more semitones, as this increases string tension and could potentially damage your guitar or strings. If string movements exceed 4 semitones (up or down), a different gauge string is generally advised for optimal playability and instrument safety.

Here are the specific notes for each string in the Oakwood tuning:

• String 6 (Low E): Tunes to E2
• String 5 (A): Tunes to B2
• String 4 (D): Tunes to E3
• String 3 (G): Tunes to B3
• String 2 (B): Tunes to D#5
• String 1 (High E): Tunes to F#5