The "Sprain Tuning" is a highly unconventional and dissonant guitar tuning, explicitly used by the Noise Rock band Sprain for a selection of their songs. This tuning moves far beyond standard guitar conventions, crafting a soundscape rich in tension and unique voicings, perfectly suited for the experimental and often abrasive nature of noise rock.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string, are: E2, F2, F#3, E3, F3, F#5.

Immediately apparent are the numerous minor second intervals, which are inherently dissonant. These appear between the 6th (E2) and 5th (F2) strings, and the 3rd (E3) and 2nd (F3) strings. These close intervals create a constant friction and clashing quality when strummed open, which is a hallmark of noise-oriented music. The presence of these minor seconds strongly indicates an intention to create sonic tension rather than traditional harmony.

Furthermore, there are significant intervallic jumps across the tuning. The jump from the 5th string (F2) to the 4th string (F#3) covers a major ninth (an octave and a minor second). Even more dramatically, the jump from the 2nd string (F3) to the 1st string (F#5) spans two octaves and a minor second, resulting in a very high and piercing top string note. This wide range, combined with the tight dissonances, suggests an approach that prioritizes texture, sonic density, and unexpected harmonic relationships over traditional chord progressions. The overall tuning lacks a clear tonal center or conventional open chord, making it ideal for experimental or atonal compositions.

Chords and Playability

Given the highly dissonant nature of the "Sprain Tuning," conventional open chords are not readily available in a traditional sense. Strumming all open strings will yield a very dense, clashing sound—a characteristic desirable in noise rock for its textural and non-harmonic qualities. This tuning is designed to challenge typical guitaristic approaches and foster unique sonic exploration.

• Drones and Textures: The tuning is ideal for creating rich, sustained drones, particularly on the lower strings. The E2, F2, F#3 sequence offers a powerful, albeit dissonant, foundation that can be used for rhythmic pulses or atmospheric soundscapes. The clashing minor seconds create an inherent tension that can be sustained or used as a sonic bed for other melodic elements.
• Partial Chords: Players might focus on two- or three-string voicings to extract specific dissonant intervals or to create unique 'power chord'-like shapes that exploit the minor seconds (e.g., fretting across strings 6 & 5, or 3 & 2). These small clusters can provide intense, focused dissonance.
• Lead Melodies: The very high F#5 on the top string provides a bright, almost jarring contrast to the lower, denser notes, allowing for piercing lead lines or atmospheric high-frequency sounds that cut through the mix.
• Fretboard Exploration: This tuning encourages a creative approach to the fretboard, where familiar shapes will sound entirely new, and players will be driven to discover unique voicings tailored to its specific intervallic structure. It moves away from predictable chord shapes towards more experimental melodic and harmonic ideas, forcing the player to rethink traditional guitar harmony.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Sprain Tuning" from standard EADGBe tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), follow these specific string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A String): Tune down 4 semitones. This involves tuning the standard A string down by four semitones.
• 4th String (D String): Tune down 8 semitones. This is a significant adjustment; you will be tuning the standard D string down by eight semitones. A different string gauge is strongly advised when tuning this far down to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage or damage.
• 3rd String (G String): Tune down 3 semitones. This involves tuning the standard G string down by three semitones.
• 2nd String (B String): Tune down 6 semitones. This is a significant adjustment; you will be tuning the standard B string down by six semitones. A different string gauge is strongly advised when tuning this far down to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage or damage.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones. This involves tuning the standard high E string up by two semitones. While 2 semitones up is generally manageable for standard gauges, always exercise caution when tuning up significantly to prevent string breakage.

6th String (lowest): E2

5th String: F2

4th String: F#3

3rd String: E3

2nd String: F3

1st String (highest): F#5