Verbal Analysis: The Sound of Em add9

This unique Guitar tuning, aptly named Em add9, immediately evokes a rich, melancholic, and expansive sound when played open. It is famously featured in Pink Floyd’s “A Pillow of Winds,” lending itself to introspective and atmospheric musical passages. The addition of the 9th (F#) to the E minor chord (E, G, B) creates a sophisticated harmonic texture, moving beyond a simple minor triad into a realm of gentle tension and resolution. This tuning is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, arpeggios, and compositions that benefit from open, sustained chords with complex voicings. Its inherent character invites exploration of mood and depth rather than aggressive strumming, making it a favorite for ballads, ambient music, and progressive rock.

Technical Analysis: Unpacking the Em add9 Tuning

The open strings of this tuning form an E minor add9 chord, comprising the notes E, G, B, and F#. Let's look at the intervallic structure from the low E string:

• String 6 (E2): Root (E)
• String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th (B)
• String 4 (E3): Octave (E)
• String 3 (F4#): Major 2nd / 9th (F#)
• String 2 (G3): Minor 3rd (G)
• String 1 (B3): Perfect 5th (B)

This arrangement provides a strong foundation for an E minor add9 chord, making it resonate beautifully when played open. The repeating E and B notes offer a robust drone potential. While standard barre chord shapes may require significant adjustment due to the unique intervals, particularly the F4# on the 3rd string and the lowered G3 and B3 on strings 2 and 1, the tuning naturally facilitates other harmonic possibilities:

• Open Chords: The full E minor add9 chord is readily available.
• Chord Voicings: By selectively barring or fretting, you can create various inversions and extensions of E minor chords. Moving a full barre shape up the neck (e.g., barring all strings at the 1st or 2nd fret) will not directly yield perfectly transposed minor add9 chords due to the specific intervallic structure, but it can produce interesting, complex voicings that might suit experimental or atmospheric music.
• Drones and Arpeggios: The open E, B, and G strings are ideal for creating sustained drones and intricate arpeggiated patterns, enhancing the tuning's atmospheric quality.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Em add9

To achieve the Em add9 tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E - Standard E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A - Standard A2): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D - Standard D3): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3 (G - Standard G3): Tune down 1 semitone to F4#.
• String 2 (B - Standard B3): Tune down 4 semitones to G3. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; a different gauge string may be advisable to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• String 1 (High E - Standard E4): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial adjustment. For best results and string longevity, consider using a different gauge string.

Always tune carefully and ensure your guitar's neck relief is properly set for alternative tunings.

Here are the notes for each string in the Em add9 tuning, from lowest to highest:

• String 6: E2 (Lowest string)
• String 5: B2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: F4#
• String 2: G3
• String 1: B3 (Highest string)