The Open E5 tuning, also known as EBEEBE, is a resonant and powerful tuning for the guitar, famously utilized by legendary artists such as Stephen Stills and Joni Mitchell. This tuning transforms the guitar into a sonic landscape characterized by its droning qualities and robust power chord voicings.

Verbal Analysis

Open E5 provides a strong, full sound, particularly when strummed openly. Its configuration naturally lends itself to slide guitar playing, where the consistent intervals across the strings allow for effortless movement up and down the fretboard to create coherent chords. The tuning's inherent droning E notes provide a stable foundation, making it excellent for blues, folk, and rock styles where a sustained, open feel is desired. The sound is bright and vibrant due to the multiple E notes and the prominent B notes, which are the root and fifth of the E chord. The nature of an 'E5' chord (a power chord) means it offers a strong, unambiguous character that doesn't commit to a major or minor tonality, making it incredibly versatile.

Technical Analysis

Technically, the tuning EBEEBE results in an E5 chord when all open strings are strummed. An E5 chord is a 'power chord' consisting of only the root (E) and the perfect fifth (B), without a major or minor third. This absence of a major or minor third makes the tuning highly versatile, as it allows the player to imply either with accompanying melodic lines or by fretting specific notes. The string arrangement features three E notes (strings 6, 4, 3) and two B notes (strings 5, 2), creating a dense, octave-rich voicing of the E5 chord. The unison E notes on strings 3 and 4 (both E3), and the unison B notes on strings 5 and 2 (B2 and B3, respectively), contribute to the thick, harmonically rich sound. This setup allows for easy transposition of power chords by simply barring across a single fret; for example, barring all strings at the 1st fret yields an F5 chord, and at the 2nd fret, an F#5. This 'movable chord' shape is a key feature, opening up numerous harmonic possibilities with minimal effort.

Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): B2
• String 4 (D): E3
• String 3 (G): E3
• String 2 (B): B3
• String 1 (High E): E4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the Open E5 tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard EADGBe tuning as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially when increasing string tension.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2. (Original A2 becomes B2)
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. (Original D3 becomes E3)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. (Original G3 becomes E3)
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Note on String Tension: Tuning up 2 semitones (String 5 & 4) or down 3 semitones (String 3) are moderate adjustments. However, always tune carefully and gradually. For any tuning changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability and string longevity, and to prevent potential damage to your guitar. In this specific tuning, the changes are within acceptable limits for standard strings but always proceed with care.