Verbal Analysis: The Resonant Open E

The Resonant Open E tuning transforms your guitar into a powerful drone machine, perfect for slide guitar, blues, rock, and ambient soundscapes. Strumming all open strings immediately gives you a full, rich E Major chord, making it incredibly easy to play in the key of E. The unique doubling of the low E (strings 6 and 5) creates an exceptionally thick and resonant bass foundation, adding immense depth and sustain to your sound. This tuning encourages a more intuitive approach to playing, where barres across the fretboard yield major chords effortlessly. Its open and ringing quality makes it ideal for exploring modal playing and creating expansive sound textures.

Chords are easily formed due to the open E Major configuration. A single finger barre across any fret will produce an instant major chord, making songwriting and improvisation straightforward in various keys. For example, barring at the 5th fret will yield an A Major chord, and at the 7th fret, a B Major. Minor chords and other voicings can be achieved by fretting specific notes on the inner strings, often with simpler shapes than in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis: E2 E2 B2 E3 B3 E4

Technically, this tuning is configured as E2 E2 B2 E3 B3 E4. Compared to standard E A D G B E, strings 5, 4, and 3 are significantly lowered. String 5 moves from A2 to E2 (down 5 semitones), String 4 from D3 to B2 (down 3 semitones), and String 3 from G3 to E3 (down 3 semitones). The rest remain in standard E-B-E relationships. The interval structure of the open strings is notable: a unison between the two lowest E strings, followed by perfect fifths and fourths (E-E [unison], E-B [P5], B-E [P4], E-B [P5], B-E [P4]). The substantial lowering of the middle strings will result in reduced string tension, which can facilitate easier bending and vibrato. However, it may also necessitate a heavier string gauge for optimal tone and to prevent fret buzz, especially on string 5 which is dropped by a full 5 semitones. This wide interval drop means players should carefully check intonation and adjust string action if buzzing occurs.

How to Tune: String by String Instructions

• String 6 (Low E): E2 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A): E2 - Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal performance, tension, and to avoid buzzing.
• String 4 (D): B2 - Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• String 3 (G): E3 - Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B): B3 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): E4 - Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

• String 6 (Low E): E2 - This string remains at its standard pitch, serving as the foundational root note.
• String 5 (A): E2 - Tuned down significantly from A2 to E2, it doubles the low E, creating a rich, full low end. This large drop in pitch (5 semitones) can lead to a very loose feel.
• String 4 (D): B2 - Tuned down from D3 to B2, this string provides the perfect fifth of the E chord in the lower register.
• String 3 (G): E3 - Tuned down from G3 to E3, this string provides another root, completing the lower octave's chord structure.
• String 2 (B): B3 - This string remains at its standard pitch, offering the perfect fifth in the higher octave.
• String 1 (High E): E4 - This string remains at its standard pitch, providing the highest root note.