The EGCGBE Custom Tuning, often discovered through creative exploration, offers a unique and highly resonant soundscape for guitarists. It moves away from standard tuning to unlock a rich palette of open harmonies, making it particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, drone-based compositions, or expansive strumming patterns that benefit from its inherent harmonic depth.

Technical Analysis

Compared to standard E A D G B E tuning, this configuration involves specific adjustments to the middle strings, while the outer E and G/B strings remain unchanged. The open string notes are E2 G2 C3 G3 B3 E4.

• The 6th string (Low E) is at E2.
• The 5th string (A) is tuned down two semitones to G2.
• The 4th string (D) is tuned down two semitones to C3.
• The 3rd string (G) remains at G3.
• The 2nd string (B) remains at B3.
• The 1st string (High E) remains at E4.

This creates a distinctive set of intervals, with a prominent E minor triad (E-G-B) and C major triad (C-E-G) readily available across the open strings. The overlapping G and B notes further enhance the harmonic possibilities, allowing for both melancholic and uplifting sonic textures.

Chords and Playability

The beauty of this tuning lies in its open string harmonies:

• Open Em Chord: By strumming strings 6, 5, 3, 2, 1 (E G G B E), you can achieve a full, resonant E minor sound.
• Open C Major Chord: Focusing on strings 5, 4, 3, 1 (G C G E), reveals a strong C major voicing.
• Open G Major Chord: Utilizing strings 5, 3, 2, 1 (G G B E), provides a clear G major sound.

These readily available open chords make the tuning intuitive for improvisation in keys of E minor, C major, and G major. Barre chords will produce unique voicings, and the consistent E and G notes across octaves provide excellent opportunities for drone effects and sustained harmonies. Experiment with simple two or three-finger chord shapes to discover rich, unexpected harmonic clusters.

How to Tune

To achieve the EGCGBE Custom Tuning from standard E A D G B E, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones. Lower the A string to G2. This is a moderate change and should be safe for standard string gauges.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones. Lower the D string to C3. This is also a moderate change and suitable for standard string gauges.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E4.

The string adjustments are within a safe range (less than 4 semitones up or down), so a change in string gauge is generally not required for this tuning. Always tune carefully and check intonation after adjustment.

String 6 (Low E): E2

String 5: G2

String 4: C3

String 3: G3

String 2: B3

String 1 (High E): E4