The 'E Altered Open' tuning is a highly unconventional and dissonant setup for the guitar, pushing the boundaries of standard harmonic expectations. It is characterized by its wide intervallic jumps and the prominent use of both Major 7th (D#) and Augmented 4th/Diminished 5th (A#) intervals relative to the low E string, creating a rich and often tense sonic landscape.

Verbal Analysis

At first listen, the open strings present a complex and somewhat jarring sound, moving far beyond typical open major or minor chords. The lowest E string provides a grounding root, but the subsequent strings introduce a striking array of notes: A, B, and significantly, D# (Eb) and two A# (Bb) notes spread across the fretboard. This combination implies a harmonic structure leaning towards an E Major 7th chord with an augmented 4th or a flattened 5th (Emaj7#11 or Emaj7b5), or even an E7(b5,#9) depending on context. The presence of multiple A#s (Bb) against the low E creates a powerful tritone tension, while the D# adds a definite Major 7th flavor. This tuning is ideal for exploring avant-garde music, jazz fusion, ambient soundscapes, or heavier genres that benefit from dense, complex voicings and sustained tension. Its non-linear pitch progression, where higher strings are sometimes lower in pitch than those below them, opens up unique opportunities for chord voicings and arpeggios that are impossible in standard tuning. Open chords may sound vast and otherworldly, while single-note lines can take on a distinctive, angular quality.

Technical Analysis

This tuning deviates significantly from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. The open notes are E2, D4#, A2, A4#, B3, and A5# from low to high.

• String 6 (low E): E2 - The foundational note, typically found on the lowest string.
• String 5: D4# - This note is tuned significantly high and forms a Major 7th interval with E2, two octaves above it. It's an Eb.
• String 4: A2 - A perfect fourth above E2, an octave lower than standard D.
• String 3: A4# - An A sharp (Bb) creating a tritone with the low E. This note is higher than the 5th string's D4#, and forms an octave with the first string's A5#.
• String 2: B3 - A perfect fifth above E2, in a standard octave.
• String 1 (high E): A5# - Another A sharp (Bb), an octave higher than the 3rd string, contributing to the strong tritone tension and providing a bright, piercing top end.

A remarkable feature is the non-linear arrangement of pitches: E2 (6th), A2 (4th), B3 (2nd), D#4 (5th), A#4 (3rd), A#5 (1st). This unusual order means that the pitches do not consistently ascend from the thickest to the thinnest string, opening up new sonic possibilities and requiring a different approach to fretboard navigation. The overall range from E2 to A5# covers over three octaves, allowing for incredibly wide chord voicings. The repeated A# (Bb) at different octaves creates resonance and a strong focal point within the tuning's harmonic character.

How to Tune

Please follow these instructions carefully. For significant changes (more than 4 semitones up or down), consider using a different string gauge to avoid breakage or excessive tension.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 6 semitones to D4#. Caution: Tuning up 6 semitones is a significant increase in tension. A lighter gauge string for this position may be advisable to prevent breakage or excessive stress on the guitar.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial decrease in tension. This may result in a looser feel and potential intonation issues if not paired with a heavier gauge string.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 3 semitones to A4#.
• String 2 (B string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 6 semitones to A5#. Caution: Tuning up 6 semitones is a significant increase in tension. A lighter gauge string for this position may be advisable to prevent breakage or excessive stress on the guitar.