The Power Minor Third Tuning for Guitar

The "Power Minor Third" is a unique and intriguing guitar tuning designed to offer both powerful low-end chords and dissonant, yet harmonically rich, upper voicings. As its name suggests, this tuning builds upon a robust Power Chord foundation in the lower registers, which is then complemented by a distinct pattern of minor third intervals across the higher strings. This combination opens up a world of sonic possibilities, from heavy rhythmic accompaniment to atmospheric lead lines.

Technical Analysis

This is a custom tuning for a Guitar. The open strings are tuned to E2 B2 E3 G3 A#4 C#5. Let's break down the intervals:

• The lowest three strings (6th, 5th, 4th) are tuned to E2, B2, E3. This configuration forms a perfect open E5 Power Chord (Root-Fifth-Octave), providing a solid and resonant base ideal for rock, metal, and other genres requiring a strong fundamental.
• Moving to the upper strings (3rd, 2nd, 1st), we find a pattern of minor third intervals:
  • The 3rd string is G3.
  • The 2nd string is A#4 (or Bb4), which is a minor third (3 semitones) above G3.
  • The 1st string is C#5 (or Db5), which is a minor third (3 semitones) above A#4.

When played together, the top three strings (G3, A#4, C#5) form a G diminished triad (G, Bb, Db). The full open tuning across all six strings (E2 B2 E3 G3 A#4 C#5) creates a complex harmonic cluster, combining the powerful E5 with the tension of a G diminished chord, offering unique sonic textures and harmonic ambiguity.

Chords and Playability

This tuning naturally facilitates several interesting chord voicings:

• Open E5 Power Chord: Strings 6, 5, and 4 can be strummed open to achieve a powerful E5. This makes for easy access to driving low-end riffs.
• Diminished Chords: The uniform minor third intervals on the top three strings mean that barreing these strings at any fret will produce a diminished triad. For example, fretting all three at the 1st fret yields G# diminished (G#-B-D), at the 3rd fret yields A# diminished (A#-C#-E), and so on. This makes it incredibly easy to play a wide range of diminished chords across the neck.
• Hybrid Voicings: Combining the open E5 with fretted positions on the upper strings can lead to unique and often dissonant or jazzy voicings. Experimenting with different fret combinations will reveal a rich palette of sounds, perfect for adventurous composers and improvisers.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Power Minor Third" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2. Caution: Tuning up 3-4 semitones can increase string tension significantly; tune slowly.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. Caution: Tuning up 3-4 semitones can increase string tension significantly; tune slowly.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones to C#5.

Please take care when adjusting string tension. If you plan to use this tuning frequently and it involves significant changes (especially beyond 4 semitones up or down), you might consider adjusting your string gauge for optimal playability and instrument health.

6th String: E2 (Standard Low E)
5th String: B2 (Tuned up from A2)
4th String: E3 (Tuned up from D3)
3rd String: G3 (Standard G)
2nd String: A#4 (Tuned down from B4)
1st String: C#5 (Tuned down from E5)