Tuning: Big E5

Verbal and Technical Analysis

The "Big E5" tuning transforms your guitar into a powerful, drone-like instrument, perfect for laying down massive foundational sounds. As its name suggests, this tuning centers entirely around the E5 power chord, creating an incredibly thick and resonant sound when strummed open.

Technically, the open strings are configured as E2-E2-E3-E3-B3-B3 (from low to high). This arrangement gives you a doubled root (E) on the two lowest strings, followed by a doubled octave (E) on the middle strings, and finally a doubled perfect fifth (B) on the top two strings. This robust construction results in a massive, harmonically rich E5 power chord that's ready to rumble. The presence of two unison fifths (B3-B3) on the higher strings, as noted in the original description, adds a unique sparkle and sustain to the power chord, allowing for bell-like tones or sustained melodic lines over the E root.

Due to this parallel structure, moving a simple one-finger bar chord up and down the neck instantly creates new power chords (F5, G5, A5, etc.) with the same colossal sound. This makes it exceptionally easy to compose heavy riffs or drone passages. It also opens up possibilities for melodic playing on the B strings, which will always be a perfect fifth above the E root provided by the lower strings. While this tuning excels at power chords, it's less suited for complex major/minor chord voicings in the traditional sense, pushing you towards a more minimalist, impactful sound.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Big E5

To achieve the "Big E5" tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E):

• Low E String (6th String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E2.
• A String (5th String): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Caution: Tuning down by 5 semitones is a significant drop. Consider a heavier gauge string if you plan to use this tuning frequently to maintain optimal tension and tone.
• D String (4th String): Tune up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
• G String (3rd String): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• B String (2nd String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• High E String (1st String): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. Caution: Tuning down by 5 semitones is a significant drop. Consider a heavier gauge string if you plan to use this tuning frequently to maintain optimal tension and tone.

Always tune slowly and carefully, especially when making large adjustments, to avoid string breakage or damage to your guitar. Use a reliable tuner for accuracy.

String 6 (Low E): E2

String 5 (A): E2

String 4 (D): E3

String 3 (G): E3

String 2 (B): B3

String 1 (High E): B3