This unique tuning, known as the "Guitarra de Golpe - Urbana Abajo" tuning, is a contemporary adaptation of a traditional Mexican Mariachi guitar tuning that has recently gained popularity across the US. It's notably a 5-string setup, where the lowest E string (String 6) is typically ignored or left to resonate unfretted, focusing on the higher five strings for playability.

Verbal Analysis

The C6add9 Mariachi Drop offers a wonderfully rich, open, and resonant sound. The significant down-tuning across most strings (especially the G string to E, a drop of 3 semitones) creates a slacker string tension. This contributes to a warm, full-bodied timbre, perfect for accompaniment in folk, Latin, or modern acoustic styles. The "golpe" (strike/hit) aspect of its name suggests a percussive playing style where the open resonance can truly shine. This tuning provides a mellow, almost melancholic, yet vibrant character, making it excellent for creating a deep harmonic bed for vocals or other instruments.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for the playable strings (from String 5 to String 1) are G2, C3, E3, A3, D4. The 6th string, E2, is present but generally unplayed. This specific arrangement of notes creates a powerful harmonic foundation:

• Open Chord: Striking all five active strings (G-C-E-A-D) yields a beautiful and full C Major 6th with an added 9th (C6add9) chord. This makes it incredibly easy to achieve a rich, complex harmony with just an open strum, ideal for rhythmic backing or open-string arpeggios.
• Intervals: The intervals between the active strings, from low to high, are: Perfect 4th (G2 to C3), Major 3rd (C3 to E3), Perfect 4th (E3 to A3), and Perfect 4th (A3 to D4). This unique intervalic structure diverges significantly from standard tuning, opening up new melodic and harmonic possibilities and offering fresh fingerings for familiar chord shapes.
• Chords Within Reach: Beyond the impressive open C6add9, basic C major, Cmaj6, and Cmaj add9 chords are immediately available. The prevalence of Perfect Fourth intervals between most strings (Strings 5-4, 3-2, 2-1) simplifies the construction of power chords and certain dominant 7th shapes by using consistent finger patterns across these string sets. This tuning is particularly conducive to exploring melodies and arpeggios that fit within the C major scale and its related modes, offering a comfortable landscape for improvisation.

How to Tune: C6add9 Mariachi Drop

To achieve the C6add9 Mariachi Drop tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string movements. Remember that standard tuning refers to a 6-string guitar tuned E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 (from thickest to thinnest string).

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change from standard E2 (0 semitones). Note: This string is generally ignored for the playable range in this tuning.
• String 5 (A String): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D String): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G String): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B String): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E String): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

Important Note on String Gauges: All string movements in this tuning involve tuning down by a relatively small number of semitones (maximum 3 semitones). For movements exceeding -4 or +4 semitones, a different gauge string is generally advised to maintain optimal tension and intonation. The adjustments required for this tuning are typically safe for standard string gauges, but always exercise care when tuning your instrument.