Verbal Analysis: Time To Rest Your Weary Head

"Time To Rest Your Weary Head" is an exceptionally unique and atmospheric guitar tuning that truly lives up to its evocative name. It creates a rich, open, and somewhat suspended soundscape, making it ideal for ambient textures, introspective fingerstyle pieces, or compositions requiring a distinct, resonant character. The tuning is built around the notes E, B, F#, and A, creating a blend that is neither purely major nor minor, offering a contemplative and soaring quality. The wide intervallic jumps, particularly the incredibly high F#4 on the 4th string, contribute a sparkling, almost bell-like resonance, fostering a sense of spaciousness and ethereal beauty. This tuning encourages players to explore beyond conventional chord shapes, inviting the discovery of unique harmonies and melodic possibilities that resonate with its pensive spirit.

Technical Analysis

The open string tuning from lowest to highest is E2-B2-F#4-A3-B3-E4.

• The lowest two strings, E2 and B2, form a perfect fifth, providing a solid and resonant bass foundation.
• A striking and highly unconventional feature is the massive jump from B2 on the 5th string to F#4 on the 4th string. This interval is a perfect fifth plus two octaves (or a major second plus two octaves relative to the low E string). This creates an unusually bright and high voice for what is typically a lower-mid range string. Players should be acutely aware that achieving F#4 on a standard 4th (D) string gauge will result in extremely high tension, far beyond recommended limits, and necessitates a much lighter gauge string or specialized instrument setup to prevent string breakage or neck damage.
• From F#4 on the 4th string, the tuning descends to A3 on the 3rd string (a minor sixth interval). This is followed by a major second from A3 to B3, and then a perfect fourth from B3 to E4.
• The collective notes of the open strings are E, B, F#, A, B, E. This can be analyzed as an Eadd9add11 chord (containing E, B, F#, and A). The absence of a major or minor third gives it a suspended, open, and slightly melancholic or pensive quality, allowing for harmonic ambiguity and emotional depth.

Open & Accessible Chords

• Open Tuning Chord: The open strings resonate as a rich Eadd9add11 (E-B-F#-A-B-E). This complex chord is inherently beautiful and forms the core sonic character of the tuning, providing a lush, suspended foundation.
• Barre Chords: By fretting all strings at a single fret, you can transpose this distinctive add9add11 voicing. For instance, a barre at the 1st fret yields an Fadd9add11, and at the 2nd fret, an F#add9add11, offering consistent harmonic shifts.
• Drone Potential: The repeated E and B notes across the tuning (E2, B2, B3, E4) facilitate excellent drone possibilities. This allows for sustained harmonic backdrops, especially with the open E and B strings ringing out against fretted notes on the middle strings, enhancing the tuning's atmospheric qualities.
• Upper String Harmonies: The top three strings (F#4-A3-B3-E4) offer intriguing close voicings. Combinations like F#-A-B form an F# minor triad with an added octave E, or suspended chords utilizing the A and B. The perfect fourth between B3 and E4 (strings 2 and 1) is a versatile interval for crafting melodious phrases or power-chord-like structures in the higher register.
• Lower String Power Chords: The E2-B2 perfect fifth on the lowest two strings provides a strong base for power chords by fretting them together, creating a powerful low end that complements the tuning's overall airy and open feel.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Time To Rest Your Weary Head" tuning from standard EADGBe (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4):

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2. The string becomes B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 4 semitones from D3. Based on this movement, the string should be tuned to F#3.
  Important Note: The target tuning for this string is specified as F#4 (an octave higher than F#3). Tuning a standard D string up 16 semitones (from D3 to F#4) will create extremely high tension, significantly exceeding the recommended safe tuning range (+/- 4 semitones) for a standard gauge string. This poses a high risk of string breakage and potential damage to your guitar's neck or bridge. If F#4 is your desired target, it is strongly advised to use a much lighter gauge string (e.g., a high E string gauge) or consider a specialized setup for your instrument. Exercise extreme caution.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones from G3. The string becomes A3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E4.