This tuning, aptly named "Belgrade Lions" (beograd львы), presents a truly distinctive and adventurous sonic landscape. It's a re-entrant tuning, meaning the strings are not ordered strictly from lowest to highest pitch, which opens up unique possibilities for both harmonic depth and melodic surprise. The lower strings establish a strong, resonant foundation, while the higher strings introduce intriguing chord voicings and the potential for bright, mandolin-like or bouzouki-esque textures, particularly with the unusually high F# on the third string. This tuning would be excellent for fingerstyle players seeking a fresh sound, composers looking for inspiring harmonic structures, or those exploring folk and world music where non-standard tunings are often prevalent. Its character can range from dark and brooding to sparkling and intricate, making it a versatile choice for the adventurous guitarist.

Technical Analysis

The "Belgrade Lions" tuning establishes the following open notes from low E (6th string) to high D (1st string): E2 G2 B2 F4# B3 D4.

Let's break down its harmonic structure:

• Base Triad: The lowest three strings (E2, G2, B2) form a powerful E minor triad. This provides an immediate, rich, and somber foundation, making E minor chords and related harmonies readily available with minimal fretting.
• Re-entrant Voicing: A defining characteristic of this tuning is its re-entrancy, specifically on the 3rd string. The 3rd string is tuned to F#4, which is significantly higher in pitch than both the 2nd string (B3) and the 1st string (D4). This creates a striking intervallic leap and allows for unique melodic and harmonic counterpoint. The F#4, B3, D4 grouping on the higher strings can be seen as an inversion of a B minor triad (B-D-F#), offering interesting upper voicings.
• Overall Harmony: Considering all open strings in ascending pitch order (E2, G2, B2, B3, D4, F#4), the tuning essentially outlines an Em9 chord (E-G-B-D-F#) with an octave B. This gives the open tuning a sophisticated, jazz-tinged minor sound.
• Chordal Opportunities:
  • E minor (Em): The open E-G-B on the lower strings makes E minor a fundamental and easily accessible chord.
  • B minor (Bm): The notes B, D, F# are all present across the open strings (B2, B3, D4, F#4), suggesting that B minor voicings will be very natural and resonant.
  • Em9: The full open string complement strongly suggests an Em9 quality, perfect for ambient or introspective pieces.
  • The re-entrant nature means standard chord shapes will need to be re-imagined, but new, often simpler, shapes will emerge for complex harmonies.

How to Tune "Belgrade Lions"

To achieve the "Belgrade Lions" tuning, follow these instructions for each string, specifying the target note and the number of semitones it is tuned up or down:

• String 6 (E to E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D to B2): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 3 (G to F4#): Tune down 1 semitone. Note: While the instruction specifies a 1-semitone drop, achieving F#4 on a standard G3 string would typically require tuning up significantly (11 semitones) and often necessitate a lighter gauge string to avoid breakage. If your starting point for this string is G4, then a 1-semitone drop is appropriate. Always exercise caution and check string tension.
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: For movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is generally advisable to consider using a different gauge string to ensure proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage. In this specific tuning, based on the provided explicit instructions within the string_movements data, no individual string movement is stated to exceed 4 semitones. However, always listen to your instrument and consult a luthier if unsure about drastic pitch changes, especially when reaching for a high note like F#4 on the 3rd string.

String 6 (Low E): E2

String 5 (A): G2

String 4 (D): B2

String 3 (G): F#4

String 2 (B): B3

String 1 (High E): D4