Verbal Analysis: The Wish Fulfilment Drone

The "Wish Fulfilment Drone" tuning, famously associated with Sonic Youth, is a highly unconventional and resonant setup designed for expansive, droning soundscapes and open-string percussive exploration. It creates a deep, thick foundation dominated by low E and B notes, with a brighter, slightly dissonant F# on the highest string. This tuning moves far away from standard guitar voicings, inviting players to discover new harmonic textures and experimental melodic lines that leverage its unique intervallic structure. It's particularly well-suited for noise rock, avant-garde, and atmospheric music where sustain and unique sonic character are paramount.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the strings to E2, E2, B2, B2, E3, F#4. The open strings present a rich, layered harmony. The doubled low E2 strings (6th and 5th) provide an incredibly deep, fundamental drone. These are complemented by doubled B2 strings (4th and 3rd), which form a perfect fifth above the E root, creating a powerful and resonant E5 power chord foundation. The 2nd string is tuned to E3, reinforcing the root an octave higher than the lowest E string. The highest string, F#4, introduces a major second (or major ninth) above the E root. When strummed open, this creates a vast, open-sounding chord akin to an E suspended 2nd (Esus2) chord, but with an extended, shimmering quality due to the high F# and the abundant lower E and B notes.

Potential Chords & Voicings

• Open Esus2/Eadd2: The entire open tuning itself is a massive Esus2, providing a rich, full-bodied drone ready for percussive hits or gentle washes of sound.
• Drone & Resonance: The numerous open E and B strings make this tuning ideal for drone-based compositions. Sliding single notes or small clusters against the open strings will create evocative textures.
• Unique Voicings: Familiar chord shapes will be completely recontextualized. Simple two or three-finger shapes can yield complex and unusual voicings that leverage the open string intervals, moving into more experimental harmonic territory.
• Power Chords: Basic E and B power chords (root and fifth) are incredibly strong and resonant due to the doubled strings. Moving a single finger across various frets on the lower strings can create shifting low-end harmonies.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

• Low E String (6th string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• A String (5th string): Tune down 5 semitones. The target note is E2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop in tension. A slightly heavier gauge string than standard is advised to maintain optimal playability and tone.
• D String (4th string): Tune down 3 semitones. The target note is B2.
• G String (3rd string): Tune down 8 semitones. The target note is B2. Caution: Tuning down 8 semitones is an extreme drop in tension. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised to avoid a 'floppy' feel and improve tone.
• B String (2nd string): Tune down 7 semitones. The target note is E3. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very significant drop in tension. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• High E String (1st string): Tune down 10 semitones. The target note is F#4. Caution: Tuning down 10 semitones is an extreme drop in tension. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string to avoid a 'floppy' feel and ensure it can hold pitch at this significantly lower tension.

String 6 (Low E): E2

String 5 (A): E2

String 4 (D): B2

String 3 (G): B2

String 2 (B): E3

String 1 (High e): F#4