Verbal Analysis:

The ECDGAB tuning is a truly distinctive and inspiring setup for guitarists looking to explore new sonic territories. It breaks away from conventional tunings, offering a soundscape that is both anchored by its low E and wonderfully fresh in its upper string configurations. This tuning cultivates a spacious, almost modal feel, driven by the unexpected jump from the low E string to a C on the 5th string, creating a wide, resonant interval.

It's a tuning rich with harmonic possibilities, particularly leaning towards minor and suspended sonorities. You'll find an immediate familiarity with an open E minor chord (E-G-B) readily available across strings 6, 3, and 1. By including the 4th string, an E minor 7th (E-G-B-D) chord also rings out beautifully. This provides a strong tonal center while allowing for expansive, open voicings.

The upper strings (D-G-A-B) create an intriguing sequence of perfect fourths and major seconds, which are ideal for crafting ringing, sustained arpeggios, creating drones, or exploring intricate modal melodies without complex fingerings. This makes the tuning especially well-suited for styles like folk, ambient music, and contemporary compositions where unique textural sounds and a departure from standard chord shapes are desired. It encourages a new perspective on the fretboard and invites creative exploration.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are, from lowest to highest: E2, C3, D3, G3, A3, B3. When compared to standard E tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), this ECDGAB configuration involves significant changes:

• The 6th string remains at E2 (Standard E).
• The 5th string is raised a minor third from A2 to C3 (+3 semitones).
• The 4th string remains at D3 (Standard D).
• The 3rd string remains at G3 (Standard G).
• The 2nd string is lowered a major second from B3 to A3 (-2 semitones).
• The 1st string is lowered a perfect fourth from E4 to B3 (-5 semitones).

The aggregate of open notes E, C, D, G, A, B forms an extended E minor sonority. The open E (string 6), G (string 3), and B (string 1) clearly outline an E minor triad. The inclusion of D (string 4) completes an E minor 7th chord. The C (string 5) functions as a minor sixth, and the A (string 2) as a perfect fourth/eleventh relative to the root E. This combination creates a rich, open harmonic structure. The distinct interval of a minor 6th between the low E and C, along with the clustered perfect fourth and major second intervals on the D-G-A-B strings (P4, M2, M2 respectively, from D to B), provides unique opportunities for voicings, drones, and melodic phrases that are not typically available in standard tuning.

Open String Notes:

• String 6 (Low E): E2
• String 5 (A): C3
• String 4 (D): D3
• String 3 (G): G3
• String 2 (B): A3
• String 1 (High E): B3

How to Tune (from Standard E Tuning E-A-D-G-B-E):

• String 6 (E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (C3): Tune up 3 semitones from A2 to C3. Be mindful when tuning up, and proceed carefully.
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (B3): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. For this significant drop, it is advised to consider using a different gauge string to maintain optimal tension and tone.

Please note: When tuning strings more than 4 semitones up or down (i.e., less than -4 or more than +4 semitones), it is generally recommended to use a different string gauge to ensure proper string tension and avoid potential damage to your instrument or strings. Proceed with caution.