Tuning Analysis: Scruff

The "Scruff" tuning is a unique and captivating arrangement, as intriguing as a piece of art in a gallery. It carves out a sonic landscape that is anything but conventional, inviting players to explore uncharted harmonic and melodic territories. This tuning leans away from traditional open chords, instead offering a canvas for expressive, possibly dissonant, or drone-based compositions. Its structure suggests a rich palette for ambient soundscapes, experimental music, or pieces requiring a distinct, atmospheric quality.

Verbal Analysis

"Scruff" presents a wonderfully unconventional sound, immediately distinguishing itself from standard tunings. With the low E (6th string) and high E (1st string) remaining at their standard pitch, and the B string (2nd string) also untouched, it maintains some familiar anchor points. However, the radical shift of the A string up to E3 creates a powerful unison/octave with the low E, providing a resonant foundation. The D string dropping to C3 and the G string dropping to F#4 introduce fascinating harmonic tension.

The open strings E2-E3-C3-F#4-B3-E4 do not resolve into a simple major or minor triad, making it less suitable for straightforward strumming of common chords. Instead, it offers a distinct, almost melancholic or questioning character, highlighted by the tritone between C and F#. This tuning is ripe for drone textures, particularly with the prominent E's. Simple two-string power chords on the lower E strings will sound full and rich. While standard open chords are not readily available, the consistent E-E-B-E across strings 6, 5, 2, and 1 provides a clear E drone, against which the C and F# on the middle strings can create expressive voicings. One could explore E minor-esque ideas (E G B) by fretting the 4th string at the 2nd fret (to get D to E) and the 3rd string at the 2nd fret (to get F# to G), or E major (E G# B) with further adjustments. The tuning's inherent tension is its strength, making it ideal for experimental or evocative compositions that seek to create a mood rather than follow strict harmonic rules.

Technical Analysis

The "Scruff" tuning can be precisely described as E2-E3-C3-F#4-B3-E4, from the 6th (lowest) to the 1st (highest) string. Let's examine the intervals between adjacent strings:

• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (E3): Perfect Octave (P8). This creates a powerful, resonant low end.
• String 5 (E3) to String 4 (C3): Descending Major Third (M3) or Ascending Minor Sixth (m6). An interesting and somewhat dissonant interval, moving from E down to C.
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F#4): Ascending Augmented Fourth (A4), also known as a Tritone. This interval is famously dissonant and adds significant tension and character to the open tuning.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B3): Descending Perfect Fourth (P4) or Ascending Perfect Fifth (P5). This provides a more stable, consonant interval after the tritone.
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect Fourth (P4). This is a common interval found in standard tuning, contributing to familiarity on the higher strings.

The presence of a perfect octave, a tritone, and other non-standard intervals makes this a highly individualistic tuning, departing significantly from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. It is designed to offer unique voicings and open string resonances that are not achievable in conventional tunings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Scruff

To achieve the "Scruff" tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions. Remember that significant changes in pitch, especially tuning up, can put extra tension on your guitar and strings. If you are tuning more than 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to consider using a different gauge string for optimal playability and to prevent damage.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E2.
• String 5 (A String): Tune up 7 semitones from its standard A3 to E3. Caution: Tuning up 7 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a lighter gauge string for this string to avoid excessive tension and potential string breakage.
• String 4 (D String): Tune down 2 semitones from its standard D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard G4 to F#4.
• String 2 (B String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Tune to E4.

The open notes for the "Scruff" tuning are as follows:

• String 6: E2 (Low E)
• String 5: E3
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F#4
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4 (High E)