Verbal & Technical Analysis

This unique tuning, which its creator describes as an experimental endeavor born from limited musical knowledge, truly offers a distinctive sonic landscape with significant potential for creative exploration. The open notes for this tuning are: E2, E2, C#4, F#4, G#4, C#5.

The most immediately striking feature is the unison low E strings (E2, E2), which create an exceptionally deep and resonant drone foundation. This provides a rich, sustained bass that underpins the entire tuning. Above this strong base, the higher strings introduce a bright, somewhat extended harmonic cluster. The notes C#4, F#4, G#4, and C#5 are all sharp and occupy a relatively high register for a standard guitar, resulting in a shimmering, almost jangling quality when strummed open.

From a technical perspective, the open strings (E, E, C#, F#, G#, C#) lean towards an E Major tonality with several extensions. Specifically, the notes form an E Major 6add9 chord (E, F#, G#, C#), though notably without the B (the perfect fifth), which can create an open, somewhat floating quality. The combination of C# and G# also makes a C# minor triad (C#-E-G#) easily accessible across the strings, offering a melancholic or dramatic contrast. The intervals between the higher strings are particularly interesting: from String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (F#4) is a Perfect 4th, from String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (G#4) is a Major 2nd, and from String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (C#5) is another Perfect 4th. This P4-M2-P4 sequence creates a clear, layered harmonic stack that would lend itself well to arpeggiated figures, intricate fingerstyle, or ethereal open-string drones.

How to Tune

Important Note on Discrepancy: The target notes listed in the 'Tuning Notes' section (E2, E2, C#4, F#4, G#4, C#5) for strings 1-5 are significantly higher in pitch (often by an octave or more) than the notes that would result from applying the 'string_movements' instructions to a guitar starting in standard EADGBe tuning. If your intention is to achieve the high octave notes specified in 'Tuning Notes', it will require string gauges much lighter than standard and tuning far beyond the semitone adjustments described below. The instructions below strictly follow the 'string_movements' data as provided, describing how to adjust each string from standard EADGBe tuning and the resulting note.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Standard E2 remains E2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 5 semitones from standard A3 to D3.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 1 semitone from standard D3 to C#3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 1 semitone from standard G3 to F#3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 3 semitones from standard B3 to G#3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from standard E4 to C#4.

String Gauge Advisory: Tuning a string more than 4 semitones up or down from its standard pitch can place excessive tension or leave insufficient tension on the string, potentially causing breakage or poor intonation. In this tuning, String 5 requires a 5-semitone drop, which is a significant change. If you intend to achieve the very high target notes specified in the 'Tuning Notes' section, a different string gauge set (likely much lighter gauge) would be essential to manage tension and avoid damage to your instrument or strings.