Verbal Analysis: The Lush Dreamscape

This tuning, aptly named the 'Emaj7#11 Dreamscape', is crafted for moments of deep introspection and atmospheric soundscapes, truly embodying the original description of a 'lush dreamy emo tuning to fall asleep to'. It evokes a melancholic yet serene feeling, perfect for ambient textures, slow ballads, or progressive rock. The unique blend of major 7th harmony with an augmented 4th/diminished 5th creates a sound that is both familiar and strikingly unique, pushing beyond conventional open chords into a realm of rich, complex harmony. It's a tuning that rewards exploration, allowing sustained notes and arpeggios to bloom into a captivating sonic tapestry. The inherent tension and release invite listeners into a contemplative space, making it ideal for expressive and emotionally resonant compositions.

Technical Analysis: An Emaj7(#11) Harmonic Cluster

The open strings are tuned to E2, B2, E3, G4#, A4#, D5#. Analyzing this from the lowest E string, we observe a sophisticated harmonic cluster:

• E (Root): Present on the 6th (E2) and 4th (E3) strings, providing a strong, resonant foundation and octave spread.
• B (Perfect 5th): Found on the 5th string (B2), reinforcing the E harmony with a stable perfect fifth.
• G# (Major 3rd): On the 3rd string (G4#), clearly establishing the major quality of the chord.
• D# (Major 7th): On the 1st string (D5#), giving the distinctive and often melancholic major 7th color.
• A# (Augmented 4th / Diminished 5th): This note on the 2nd string (A4#) is the harmonic core of this tuning's unique and 'dreamy' character. Enharmonically equivalent to B-flat, it creates a powerful dissonance against the E major 7th chord. In the context of an E major harmony, it functions as an augmented 4th (#11) or a diminished 5th (b5), adding a 'suspended' tension that either demands resolution or embraces ambiguity. This precisely aligns with the original creator's stated love for '7ths, 9ths, and 11ths', hinting at an altered dominant or extended major harmony that ventures into jazz-fusion and progressive territories.

Open Chords & Reachable Voicings:

While the open strings themselves form a complex Emaj7(#11) cluster rather than a simple triad, they offer immediate sonic depth and unique harmonic possibilities:

• Strumming all open strings instantly yields a rich, suspended E major 7th sound with its characteristic #11 tension, ideal for ambient pads and droning textures.
• By simply muting the 2nd string (A#), you can achieve a more stable but still ethereal Emaj7 chord (E-B-E-G#-D#), which can serve as a home base for melodic ideas.
• The arrangement of the lower strings (E-B-E) provides a powerful and resonant open E5 power chord, easily expanded with the G# (3rd string) for an E major triad.
• The interval between the 3rd (G#) and 2nd (A#) strings is a whole step, which can lead to interesting melodic runs or two-note voicings. The high E string (D#) is a perfect fourth above the A# (2nd string), allowing for accessible arpeggios that highlight the unique character of the tuning.
• Barring across various frets will create movable versions of this complex chord shape or simpler triads and inversions, providing a fresh approach to chord voicings that are typically difficult to achieve in standard tuning. For example, barring the top three strings (G#, A#, D#) at the first fret would produce A, B, E which could be used to imply an A major 9th or a Bsus4 chord depending on the bass note.

Tuning Notes:

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): B2
• String 4 (D): E3
• String 3 (G): G4#
• String 2 (B): A4#
• String 1 (High E): D5#

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Emaj7#11 Dreamscape' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these precise instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard A to B. This brings the string to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard D to E. This brings the string to E3.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone from its standard G to G#. This brings the string to G4#.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard B to A#. This brings the string to A4#.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard E to D#. This brings the string to D5#.

Important Note on String Tension: All string movements in this tuning are within 2 semitones up or down. As this does not exceed the general guideline of tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones, a change in string gauge is typically not necessary for safety or optimal performance. However, always be mindful of your instrument's neck tension and intonation when altering tunings. Ensure your guitar can comfortably handle the changes. If you plan to keep this tuning for an extended period, it's always good practice to check intonation and neck relief, and consider a professional setup for optimal playability.