Tuning Analysis: Open Eadd2

This unique guitar tuning, officially named Open Eadd2, offers a rich and distinctive sonic palette for the guitar. The original description from the tuning creator suggests it's a "C# Standard with high and low left in standard," used for "word acoustic stuff" and sounding "very solemn." While the intention for a solemn and acoustic sound is clearly present, a detailed analysis of the actual open string notes reveals an E-based tuning, not a C#-based one. This might indicate a conceptual origin or a mislabeling in the original description, as the resulting open string notes clearly form a variation of an E chord.

Verbal Analysis

The Open Eadd2 tuning creates an immediate sense of spaciousness and depth when strummed. The specific combination of E, F#, B, G#, and E notes across the open strings forms an E Major chord with an added Major Second (F#). This 'add2' quality lends the tuning a slightly suspended, contemplative, and indeed 'solemn' character, perfectly aligning with the creator's description. It subtly avoids the directness of a standard Major chord, introducing a touch of beautiful melancholic tension to the inherent brightness of E Major. This tuning is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle acoustic playing, where the open strings can resonate to create lush, atmospheric soundscapes and intricate arpeggios. The unique voicings, especially the F#3 on the 5th string and G#4 on the 2nd string, create harmonic possibilities and textures not typically found in standard E or even traditional open E tunings.

Technical Analysis

The notes for this tuning, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string, are E2, F#3, B2, E3, G#4, E4. Let's break down the intervals relative to the low E (E2) root, providing insight into its harmonic structure:

• 6th String (E2): This is the fundamental Root note (E).
• 5th String (F#3): A Major Second (F#). This F# is an octave higher than one might typically encounter if simply dropping the A string to F#. This high voicing adds a distinct character.
• 4th String (B2): A Perfect Fifth (B). This provides a strong, consonant foundation to the E chord.
• 3rd String (E3): An Octave (E) above the 6th string, reinforcing the root.
• 2nd String (G#4): A Major Third (G#). Similar to the 5th string, this G# is also an octave higher than a standard B string would be in a simple drop, creating a shimmering upper voicing of the major third.
• 1st String (E4): Another Octave (E), completing the chord with a high-pitched root.

When strummed open, this tuning produces an Eadd2 (E Major Add Second) chord. The inherent chordal structure makes barre chords highly accessible; a single finger across all fretted strings will produce the corresponding Xadd2 chord. For instance, fretting all strings at the 2nd fret would yield an F#add2 chord. The prominent E-B-E power chord formation on the 6th, 4th, and 3rd strings provides a solid rhythmic and harmonic anchor, while the G#4 and E4 on the higher strings offer bright, shimmering upper voicings. This tuning strongly encourages the exploration of drone strings and modal playing around the E tonality, with the F# providing a subtle, sometimes yearning, quality.

Tuning Notes

The specific notes for the Open Eadd2 tuning are as follows, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string:

6th String: E2 (Low E)
5th String: F#3 (Open A String Position)
4th String: B2 (Open D String Position)
3rd String: E3 (Open G String Position)
2nd String: G#4 (Open B String Position)
1st String: E4 (High E)

How to Tune

To achieve the Open Eadd2 tuning (E2 F#3 B2 E3 G#4 E4), please follow these instructions for adjusting each string. The specified movements indicate how many semitones each string should be tuned up or down to reach its target note.

• 6th String (Low E): Target note E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A String Position): Target note F#3. Tune down 3 semitones.
• 4th String (D String Position): Target note B2. Tune down 3 semitones.
• 3rd String (G String Position): Target note E3. Tune down 3 semitones.
• 2nd String (B String Position): Target note G#4. Tune down 3 semitones.
• 1st String (High E): Target note E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).