This unique tuning, originally described as 'e major things' and 'an open e of some kind', presents itself as an exciting Open Eadd9 configuration. It offers a bright, resonant sound that lends itself well to genres from blues and slide guitar to vibrant acoustic strumming and intricate fingerstyle. The inclusion of the higher octaves for the G# and F# notes (G4# and F5#) gives this tuning a distinct, shimmering quality that sets it apart from a standard Open E tuning.

Verbal Analysis

Imagine a rich, full E Major chord that's been given an extra sparkle. That's the essence of this tuning. With two Es, two Bs, a G# and a high F#, it's inherently resonant and melodic. It's an excellent choice for players looking to explore open tunings beyond the conventional, providing a canvas for droning notes, soaring melodies, and a vibrant sonic palette. The high pitches on the third and first strings will likely produce a bell-like clarity, perfect for creating atmospheric textures or cutting through a mix.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are E2 B2 E3 G4# B3 F5# (from low to high string). Analyzing these pitches reveals the intervals relative to the root E:

• 6th String (E2): Root (E)
• 5th String (B2): Perfect Fifth (B)
• 4th String (E3): Root (E)
• 3rd String (G4#): Major Third (G#) - notably an octave higher than a standard Open E tuning's G#3
• 2nd String (B3): Perfect Fifth (B)
• 1st String (F5#): Major Second/Ninth (F#) - also an octave higher than the F#4 found in a typical Eadd9 configuration.

This configuration results in an Eadd9 chord (E G# B F#) when strummed open, with multiple octaves of the root and fifth. The doubling of the root and fifth across different strings creates a robust harmonic foundation, while the high G# and F# add complexity and brilliance. The unique voicing with the elevated third and ninth makes this tuning particularly distinctive.

Open Chords and Possibilities

• Open Eadd9: Simply strumming all open strings yields a full and resonant Eadd9 chord. This is the foundation of the tuning.
• Barre Chords: A single finger barred across any fret will produce an Eadd9 chord shape transposed up the neck. For example, barring at the 2nd fret yields an F#add9, at the 3rd fret a Gadd9, and so on. This makes it very easy to play in different keys with a consistent chord shape.
• E Major Triad: By muting or avoiding the 1st string (F5#), the remaining strings (E2 B2 E3 G4# B3) form a powerful E Major triad.
• Drone Opportunities: The repeated E and B notes across various octaves provide excellent opportunities for drone-based playing, allowing melodies to unfold over a stable harmonic background.
• Melodic Runs: The intervals and accessible high notes make it conducive to melodic improvisation and slide guitar, where the open strings serve as natural resting points.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open Eadd9 Tuning, adjust your guitar from standard E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high) as follows. Please note: The final target notes for the 3rd (G4#) and 1st (F5#) strings, as specified in the tuning, imply a significantly higher octave than what the provided semitone adjustments (1 and 2 semitones up, respectively) would yield if starting from standard string gauges. To safely reach these higher octaves (G4# and F5#), it is strongly advised to use specialized, much lighter gauge strings, or to consider if these movements are relative to an already higher-pitched base string set.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from standard A2 to B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones from standard D3 to E3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. If starting from a standard G3, this would result in G#3. To achieve the target note of G4# as specified in the tuning, this string needs to be tuned up by 13 semitones (an octave and a semitone) from standard G3, which requires an extra light gauge string and extreme caution to prevent breakage.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones. If starting from a standard E4, this would result in F#4. To achieve the target note of F5# as specified in the tuning, this string needs to be tuned up by 14 semitones (an octave and two semitones) from standard E4, which requires an extra light gauge string and extreme caution to prevent breakage.

Important Note on String Gauges: Generally, tuning a string up or down by more than 4 semitones (or half steps) from its standard pitch may require a different gauge string to prevent breakage and achieve proper intonation and tension. This is particularly crucial for strings 3 and 1 in this tuning due to their exceptionally high target octaves.