Verbal Analysis: The Sonic Youth Drone

Named "E E B B E F#", this tuning immediately suggests an experimental and unconventional approach to the guitar, fitting perfectly with its origin being "found on sonicyouth.com". It's a tuning designed not for traditional chord progressions, but for creating vast, dissonant, and droning soundscapes. The prominent doubling of E and B notes across multiple octaves creates a powerful, almost industrial foundation, evoking a sense of raw energy and expansive texture. The unexpected F# on the highest string adds a sharp, piercing tension, preventing the tuning from settling into anything too comfortable. This setup invites the player to explore abstract harmonic ideas, percussive elements, and intricate sonic textures, making it ideal for noise rock, post-punk, or any genre seeking to push the boundaries of guitar sound.

Technical Analysis: An Open E Power Drone with Dissonance

This tuning (E2 E2 B2 B3 E3 F4) creates a unique harmonic landscape:

• Open Notes: E2 (Low E), E2, B2, B3, E3, F4 (High F#).
• Root & Fifth Foundation: The tuning is heavily anchored around E and B. Strings 6, 5, and 2 are all E notes across different octaves (E2, E2, E3). Strings 4 and 3 are B notes (B2, B3), providing the perfect fifth. This creates a massive, resonant open E5 power chord (E-B) when strings 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 are strummed together. This strong E-B drone is the backbone of the tuning.
• Dissonant Top End: The most striking feature is the F4 on the highest string. This note creates a jarring minor second (or major seventh an octave below) interval with the adjacent E3 string and a minor ninth with the lowest E2 strings. This extreme dissonance with the open E and B harmony is where the experimental nature of the tuning truly shines, encouraging clashing intervals and metallic overtones rather than traditional consonance.
• Accessible Chords & Shapes:
  • Open E Drone: Strumming strings 6-2 open yields a thick, full E5 power chord, ready for rhythmic riffing or as a foundation for melodic lines.
  • Two-Finger Chords: Simple two-finger shapes can create complex voicings. For instance, barring a single fret across the top few strings against the open E and B notes will produce unique, often dissonant, clusters.
  • Octave/Unison Play: The low E strings (6 & 5) are in unison, allowing for powerful octave or unison slides on the lowest register. Similarly, strings 4 (B2) and 3 (B3) are an octave apart, providing another set of resonant intervals.
  • Friction & Tension: The close interval between E3 (string 2) and F4 (string 1) is ripe for creating intense friction, subtle bends, or shimmering, unsettling harmonics.
  This tuning demands a fresh approach to the fretboard, favoring textural exploration and percussive attack over conventional melodic or harmonic pathways.

Tuning Notes

• String 6: E2 (Low E)
• String 5: E2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: B3
• String 2: E3
• String 1: F4 (High F#)

How to Tune

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Your lowest E string remains at E2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 5 semitones. This brings your A string to E2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. Consider a slightly heavier gauge string if you frequently use this tuning to maintain tension and tone.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 3 semitones. This brings your D string to B2.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 4 semitones. This brings your G string to B3. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones puts considerable tension on the string. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and ensure stable tuning.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 7 semitones. This brings your B string to E3. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very significant drop. Consider a heavier gauge string if you frequently use this tuning to maintain tension and tone.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune up 1 semitone. This brings your high E string to F4.