Tuning Overview: The Tree Tuning

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named "The Tree Tuning," was created with the intention of exploring new harmonic possibilities and chord voicings beyond standard tuning conventions. It invites players to experiment and discover fresh sounds from familiar chord shapes and individual notes, offering a versatile foundation for creative expression.

Verbal Analysis

"The Tree Tuning" offers a distinctive, open, and resonant soundscape. While maintaining the familiar low E, B, and high E strings, it strategically lowers the A, D, and G strings to F#, C#, and E respectively. The resulting open string notes (E2 F#3 C#4 E3 B3 E4) present an intriguing sonic palette that leans towards an E-centric harmony without explicitly stating a major or minor third. This harmonic ambiguity makes it incredibly versatile for various musical contexts, allowing the player to introduce major or minor qualities through fretted notes. The presence of E, B, and E across multiple strings creates a strong foundational drone, while the F# and C# introduce a bright, open character, hinting at an E Major 6th or E Major 9th feel, even without the G#.

Chords and Playability: The open strings themselves can be strummed for a rich, suspended or Emaj6/9 (no 3rd) sound. The strong E and B drone notes allow for easy E-based power chords or drone-filled melodies. For instance, fretting a G# on the 4th string (now C#) or the 5th string (now F#) could quickly shift the mood towards a clear E major. The top three strings (E3 B3 E4) are tuned to an E power chord, making it effortless to play E-based triads and extend them with the lower strings. Standard chord shapes, especially those rooted on E, A, or B, will find new voicings and extensions within this framework, encouraging exploration of modern and open harmonies.

Technical Analysis

Instrument Type: Guitar

Open String Notes:

• String 6: E2 (Low E)
• String 5: F#3
• String 4: C#4
• String 3: E3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4 (High E)

Comparison to Standard Tuning (E A D G B E): This tuning significantly deviates from standard. The 6th (E2), 2nd (B3), and 1st (E4) strings remain at their standard pitches, providing familiar anchor points. The 5th string (A3 in standard) is lowered by 3 semitones to F#3. The 4th string (D4 in standard) is lowered by 1 semitone to C#4. The 3rd string (G3 in standard) is lowered by 3 semitones to E3.

Harmonic Structure: The open notes E, F#, C#, E, B, E form a distinctive E-rooted sound. Key intervals include a perfect 5th between F#3 and C#4, and E3 and B3, which facilitates power chords and resonant voicings. The E2 to F#3 is a major 9th, providing a wide, open interval. The unique Major 6th interval between E3 and C#4 (C#4 is Major 6th above E3, or E3 is a minor 3rd below C#4) offers an interesting melodic and harmonic stretch. This tuning emphasizes the root (E), major 2nd (F#), major 5th (B), and major 6th (C#) of the E major scale, making it excellent for exploring E major or Lydian modes, and suspended or add9 voicings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to The Tree Tuning

To achieve 'The Tree Tuning,' you will adjust your strings from standard E A D G B E tuning. Please exercise caution during tuning. While all adjustments for this specific tuning are within a safe range for standard guitar strings, generally, movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down) would advise a different string gauge.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change. It remains at its standard pitch of E2. (0 semitones)
• String 5 (A String): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard A3 pitch to F#3.
• String 4 (D String): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard D4 pitch to C#4.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 3 semitones from its standard G3 pitch to E3.
• String 2 (B String): Keep as is; no change. It remains at its standard pitch of B3. (0 semitones)
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change. It remains at its standard pitch of E4. (0 semitones)