The Lee 'Cross The Breeze Tuning: An Avant-Garde Soundscape

This unique guitar tuning, famously employed by Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth on the track 'Cross The Breeze', transforms the standard guitar into an instrument capable of producing dense, resonant drones and experimental textures. It's a testament to Ranaldo's innovative approach to guitar, moving far beyond conventional harmony to explore sound as a physical phenomenon.

Technical Analysis:

• Instrument Type: Guitar
• Open Tuning Notes: E2 E2 E3 E3 F#4 F#4
• Intervalic Structure:
  • Low E String (6th): E2
  • A String (5th): E2 (Unison with 6th string)
  • D String (4th): E3 (Octave with 6th & 5th strings)
  • G String (3rd): E3 (Unison with 4th string)
  • B String (2nd): F#4 (Major 2nd above the E drone, an octave higher)
  • High E String (1st): F#4 (Unison with 2nd string)

Verbal and Harmonic Observations:

The core of this tuning is a powerful E drone established by the bottom four strings, which are all tuned to E notes across two octaves (E2 E2 E3 E3). This creates an incredibly rich, sustained low-end foundation, ideal for percussive attacks and sympathetic resonance. The two highest strings are tuned to F#4, forming a unison pair. This F# introduces a distinct major second interval against the underlying E drone, creating a shimmering, slightly dissonant, or "open" quality that evokes a Lydian tonality or a sustained tension.

In terms of chords, the open tuning itself is not a standard major or minor triad; rather, it's a massive, resonant E with an added F#. This suggests a harmonic landscape focused on drones, clusters, and implied harmonies rather than traditional chord progressions. Open string strumming will produce a vast, layered sound that is both full and complex.

Accessible Chords and Playability:

• Open Drone: The most immediate "chord" is the open tuning itself, providing a powerful, sustained E sound with an F# overtone. This is ideal for textural work and creating a wall of sound.
• Power Chords: Barring across the lower four E strings at any fret will yield a massive power chord (Root-Octave-Root-Octave) in parallel. For example, barring at the 2nd fret would give an F# power chord, amplified by the two F# strings.
• Unison/Octave Play: The repeated E's and F#'s allow for unique unison bends and slides, creating a chorus-like effect.
• Experimental Harmonies: Simple two or three-finger shapes, particularly on the top two F# strings, will create interesting dyads and triads that ring against the lower E drone, opening up possibilities for avant-garde harmonies and counter-melodies.

This tuning is perfectly suited for players looking to break free from standard guitar voicings and explore ambient soundscapes, noise rock, or microtonal inflections within a strong tonal center.

How to Tune to Lee 'Cross The Breeze

To achieve the "Lee 'Cross The Breeze" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the significant string movements required for some strings; consider using alternative string gauges for optimal tension and playability where advised.

• String 6 (Low E String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• String 5 (A String): Tune down 5 semitones. This will bring the string from A2 to E2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and to prevent floppiness.
• String 4 (D String): Tune up 2 semitones. This will bring the string from D3 to E3.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 3 semitones. This will bring the string from G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B String): Tune down 5 semitones. This will bring the string from B3 to F#4. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and to prevent floppiness.
• String 1 (High E String): Tune down 10 semitones. This will bring the string from E4 to F#4. Extreme Caution: Tuning down 10 semitones is a very drastic drop. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain playability, intonation, and prevent excessive floppiness.