Description

This experimental tuning, originally referenced as a "Strapping Young Lad Chord," transforms your guitar into a powerful and resonant open Eadd9 voicing. It's designed to provide a rich, full sound with drone capabilities, while also allowing for heavy, aggressive riffing due to its open string configuration and the distinct character of the higher tuned strings.

Verbal Analysis

The tuning yields an Eadd9 chord when strummed open (E-B-F#-G#-B-E). This creates a bright, full, and somewhat 'metallic' sound, largely influenced by the elevated pitches of the 4th and 3rd strings. The low E and high E strings act as natural drones, providing a strong tonal center. The inclusion of the F# (a Major 9th) and G# (a Major 3rd) spread across different octaves gives this tuning a sophisticated harmonic texture, moving beyond a simple major chord. The instruction to tune down the entire guitar by 3 semitones initially (to C#-G#-D#-F-G#-C#) and then capo on the 3rd fret is a clever technique. It helps maintain a comfortable overall string tension for the instrument by allowing certain strings to be tuned significantly higher relative to their new, lowered base. This can reduce neck stress compared to tuning directly up from standard EADGBe, though individual string tension changes remain considerable.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to the following pitches:

• 6th String: E2 (Root)
• 5th String: B2 (Perfect 5th)
• 4th String: F#4 (Major 9th / Major 2nd, two octaves above the root E)
• 3rd String: G#4 (Major 3rd, one octave above the root E)
• 2nd String: B3 (Perfect 5th, one octave above)
• 1st String: E4 (Root, two octaves above)

This specific voicing creates an Eadd9 chord, featuring the root (E), perfect fifth (B), major third (G#), and major ninth (F#) across multiple octaves. The significant tuning changes on the 4th and 3rd strings (from standard D3 to F#4 and G3 to G#4, respectively) are noteworthy. While the string movements indicate relative semitone changes (+4 and +1), achieving the specified octave pitches of F#4 and G#4 from standard D and G strings would typically require an octave jump (+12 semitones) in addition to the specified semitones. This implies extreme tension and potential string breakage if attempted with standard gauge strings, or necessitates much lighter gauges for these particular strings. Players should exercise extreme caution and consider specialized string sets for these high notes.

Accessible Chords & Shapes

With the open tuning being an Eadd9, many E-based chords become readily available with minimal fretting. Simply barring across a single fret will produce a major chord (e.g., barring the 1st fret yields Fadd9, 2nd fret for F#add9, etc.). The open string arrangement also lends itself well to creating drone-based riffs and melodic lines. The high F# and G# strings offer unique voicings for arpeggios and leads. Experimenting with two-finger shapes or partial barres will quickly reveal new chord possibilities and harmonic textures. For instance, holding down just the 3rd and 4th strings at various frets will create interesting intervallic relationships against the open E, B, and E strings.

Tuning Notes & How to Tune

Here are the final sounding notes for each string in this tuning, followed by instructions on how to achieve this setup from standard EADGBe.

Tuning Notes (with capo on 3rd Fret)

6th String (Low E): E2
5th String (A): B2
4th String (D): F#4
3rd String (G): G#4
2nd String (B): B3
1st String (High E): E4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

Important Pre-tuning Step: As per the original description, for optimal results and tension management, it is advised to first tune your entire guitar down by 3 semitones (to C#-G#-D#-F-G#-C#) and then place a capo on the 3rd fret before making the following individual string adjustments. This effectively brings your guitar back to standard sounding pitch for the unchanged strings, but allows for the specific relative changes below to be made from a lower starting tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones. Adjust from A2 up to B2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 4 semitones. Adjust from D3 up to F#3.
  Caution: The provided 'Tuning Notes' specify F#4 for this string. However, tuning a standard D string up only 4 semitones from D3 results in F#3. Achieving F#4 would require an additional octave jump (+12 semitones), resulting in a total of +16 semitones from standard D3. This level of tension is extremely risky and may cause string breakage or damage to your guitar. If F#4 is the desired sounding pitch, a much lighter gauge string is strongly advised.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitone. Adjust from G3 up to G#3.
  Caution: The provided 'Tuning Notes' specify G#4 for this string. However, tuning a standard G string up only 1 semitone from G3 results in G#3. Achieving G#4 would require an additional octave jump (+12 semitones), resulting in a total of +13 semitones from standard G3. This level of tension is extremely risky and may cause string breakage or damage to your guitar. If G#4 is the desired sounding pitch, a much lighter gauge string is strongly advised.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E4.

As a general guideline, tuning individual strings up by 4 or more semitones from their standard pitch, especially to achieve higher octaves, puts significant strain on the strings and guitar neck. Consider consulting a luthier or using specialized string gauges for sustained use of this tuning.