Scary Cmaj9/E Open Tuning

This unique tuning, aptly named "Scary Cmaj9/E Open Tuning" and famously featured in German Error Message's song "Everything Is Scary," offers a distinctive and resonant soundscape. It leans towards a darker, melancholic, yet harmonically rich quality, making it ideal for atmospheric, introspective, or even eerie musical compositions. The open strings immediately present a complex chord, encouraging a drone-like approach and allowing for intricate fingerstyle melodies to emerge with minimal effort. Its distinct character provides an excellent foundation for creating soundscapes that evoke a sense of unease or profound, ethereal beauty.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Chord: The open strings (E2-G2-C3-G3-B3-D4) collectively form a rich and complex C major 9th chord with an E in the bass (Cmaj9/E). This sophisticated harmony provides immediate depth and resonance, moving beyond simple triads.
• Intervals (from low E to high D):
  • String 6 (E2) to String 5 (G2): Minor Third (3 semitones)
  • String 5 (G2) to String 4 (C3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
  • String 4 (C3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect Fifth (7 semitones)
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3): Major Third (4 semitones)
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D4): Minor Third (3 semitones)
• Chordal Potential: The open tuning itself provides the full Cmaj9/E chord, perfect for use as a ringing drone or a rich harmonic base. Barring across any single fret will yield parallel Cmaj9/E shapes, transposed accordingly (e.g., barring at the 1st fret would produce a C#maj9/F chord). This simplifies chord changes and facilitates expansive, ringing voicings. The strong harmonic relationship between the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings (G-C-G) allows for easy power chords and drones in the mid-range. The lowest strings (E-G) provide a thick, minor-third interval that can be used for deep, resonant bass notes, while the higher strings (B-D) offer melodic extensions that beautifully complement the implied C major harmony.

Tuning Notes (from low to high)

• String 6: E2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: D4

How to Tune (from standard EADGBe tuning)

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final Note: E2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones. Final Note: G2.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones. Final Note: C3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final Note: G3.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Final Note: B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones. Final Note: D4.