Verbal and Technical Analysis

The "F#7sus4 Masaaki Kishibe Drifting Clouds" tuning, as its name suggests, is deeply rooted in an F#7sus4 chord structure. Masaaki Kishibe's work often involves intricate fingerstyle arrangements, and this tuning is meticulously crafted to resonate with a serene, ethereal, and expansive sonic palette, perfect for evocative pieces like "Drifting Clouds."

Open Chord Voicing and Harmonic Texture

When strummed open, this tuning immediately presents an F#7sus4 chord, consisting of the notes E2, B2, F#4, B3, C#5, F#5. Breaking this down:

• The root note, F#, is prominently featured on the 4th (F#4) and 1st (F#5) strings, giving it a strong fundamental presence.
• The suspended 4th, B, appears on the 5th (B2) and 3rd (B3) strings, creating a rich, open suspension.
• The perfect 5th, C#, is present on the 2nd string (C#5), solidifying the chord's core harmony.
• The lowest string, E2, serves as the minor seventh (b7) relative to F#, completing the F#7sus4 voicing and adding a deep, resonant bass foundation.

The overall intervallic structure is quite wide, particularly between the 5th and 4th strings (B2 to F#4 - an interval of 19 semitones, or a perfect 5th plus two octaves) and the 3rd and 2nd strings (B3 to C#5 - an interval of 15 semitones, or a major 2nd plus an octave). These large jumps, combined with tighter intervals on other strings (E2 to B2 is a perfect 4th, C#5 to F#5 is a perfect 4th), create a bell-like, shimmering quality that is ideal for arpeggiated figures and sustained chords. The prominent F# and B notes across different octaves provide a strong drone that can support intricate melodies on the higher strings.

Playing Implications

This tuning is highly conducive to fingerstyle playing, allowing the guitarist to leverage the resonant open strings. Chord shapes will feel very different from standard tuning, but the open F#7sus4 provides a fantastic starting point. Simple one or two-finger additions on the higher strings (1st, 2nd, 3rd) can easily create melodic embellishments or resolve the suspension. Due to the unique open voicing, traditional barre chords might be challenging or sound unexpected, but exploring new inversions and partial chords will be very rewarding. The low E string offers a versatile bass note, either as a drone or for rhythmic emphasis, adding depth to the overall soundscape.

How to Tune

When adjusting your guitar to this tuning, please pay close attention to the specified string movements. Important: Tuning strings up by 3 or more semitones can significantly increase string tension. For changes exceeding 4 semitones up or down, or for sustained use, using a different string gauge (lighter for tuning up, heavier for tuning down) is strongly advised to prevent string breakage and ensure proper intonation.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• 5th String (A String): Tune the A string up 2 semitones to B2.
• 4th String (D String): Tune the D string up 4 semitones to F#4. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases tension and may require a lighter gauge string to avoid breakage.
• 3rd String (G String): Tune the G string up 4 semitones to B3. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones significantly increases tension and may require a lighter gauge string to avoid breakage.
• 2nd String (B String): Tune the B string up 2 semitones to C#5.
• 1st String (High E String): Tune the high E string up 2 semitones to F#5.

Here are the notes for each string, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st):

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A): B2
• 4th String (D): F#4
• 3rd String (G): B3
• 2nd String (B): C#5
• 1st String (High E): F#5