The Embrace of E Minor Add 2 Sharp

As a guitar tuning analyst, I've observed this captivating setup, named E Minor Add 2 Sharp, which the creator envisions "for romance in a song for a girl." This description perfectly encapsulates its character. It's a tuning that immediately evokes a tender, melancholic, yet hopeful atmosphere, ideal for introspective ballads or expressive fingerstyle pieces.

Verbal Analysis:

This tuning offers a unique palette for romantic compositions. The open strings resolve to a rich E minor sound, providing a natural harmonic foundation that feels both familiar and fresh. The presence of the B2 on two distinct strings (5th and 2nd) creates a powerful, resonant drone effect on the fifth, adding depth and sustaining qualities to your open chords. The high F# on the first string introduces a sparkling, almost ethereal quality, lifting the overall sound and adding a touch of sophisticated dissonance (an 'add 2' or major second) that brightens the E minor base. It feels like a tuning designed to let melodies float above a gently rolling harmonic landscape. Chord shapes around the open position will feel intuitive for E minor based voicings, while the drone strings encourage open string accompaniment.

Technical Analysis:

The open string configuration is E2 B2 E3 G3 B2 F5#. When strummed open, these notes form an E minor add 2 chord (E-G-B-F#).

• The foundational E is reinforced across three octaves (E2, E3, and implied by the chord).
• The G3 establishes the minor third, giving the tuning its melancholic core.
• The B note, the perfect fifth of E, is notably prominent, appearing as B2 on both the 5th and 2nd strings. This unison voicing creates a strong, resonant harmonic bedrock.
• The F5# on the high E string serves as the 'add 2' (major second) interval, providing a bright, airy extension to the E minor triad. Its unusually high octave (F5# rather than F#4) suggests a very bright and piercing quality.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each string in this E Minor Add 2 Sharp tuning, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st):

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A String): B2
• 4th String (D String): E3
• 3rd String (G String): G3
• 2nd String (B String): B2
• 1st String (High E): F5#

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the E Minor Add 2 Sharp tuning, adjust your strings from standard E Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) as follows. Please exercise caution when adjusting string tension, especially with large movements.

• 6th String (E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A2): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• 4th String (D3): Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• 3rd String (G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 2nd String (B3): Tune down 12 semitones to B2. Caution: This is a full octave drop, resulting in a significantly looser string.
• 1st String (E4): Tune up 2 semitones to F5#. Extreme Caution: From a standard E4, tuning up 2 semitones will result in F#4, not F5#. Achieving F5# from E4 would require tuning up 14 semitones. If F5# is the intended pitch for this string, please be aware that the '2 semitones' adjustment from standard E4 will not reach it, and attempting to force a standard string to F5# is extremely dangerous and could cause string breakage or damage to your guitar. This tuning specification might require a specific, very light gauge string set or a different starting pitch for this string.

General Gauge Recommendation: For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is generally advised to ensure proper tension, playability, and guitar safety.