The "Fun Fifths" tuning is an intriguing and versatile guitar setup, as described by its creator, designed for players who enjoy exploring new sonic landscapes with an emphasis on horizontal movement and musical intuition. It aims to make "a lot of tones easily moving horizontally" and "makes sense musically."

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately presents a rich and full sound, offering a unique harmonic landscape. The open strings reveal a prominent D Major chord on strings 4, 3, 2, and 1 (D3, A3, D4, F5#), creating a powerful and resonant foundation. The lowest strings (E2, G2) introduce a minor third interval, suggesting an E minor tonality or a G major feel, which adds depth to the overall sound. The central D-A-D structure across strings 4, 3, and 2 forms a robust power chord, likely inspiring the "Fifths" in its name, and serves as an excellent anchor for rhythm. The high F5# on the first string provides a shimmering, almost chime-like quality, extending the harmonic range with a bright, melodic top end. This wide interval between D4 and F5# (a major third plus an octave) unlocks unique melodic possibilities and adds a sparkling overtone. Players will likely find this tuning intuitive for melodic and scale exploration due to its recurring intervals and open chord voicings, making it well-suited for open, resonant folk, acoustic, or even experimental rock music.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes, from low to high, are:

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A): G2
• 4th String (D): D3
• 3rd String (G): A3
• 2nd String (B): D4
• 1st String (High E): F5#

The intervals between adjacent strings (from low to high) are:

• E2 – G2: Minor Third (3 semitones)
• G2 – D3: Perfect Fifth (7 semitones)
• D3 – A3: Perfect Fifth (7 semitones)
• A3 – D4: Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• D4 – F5#: Major Third + Octave (16 semitones)

Key Chords & Structures Accessible:

• Open D Major: Strumming strings 4-1 (D3, A3, D4, F5#) creates a powerful and resonant D Major chord.
• Open G Major Triad: Combining strings 5, 4, and 2 (G2, D3, D4) can yield a clear G Major sound.
• Root-Fifth-Octave Patterns: The D-A-D arrangement on strings 4, 3, and 2 provides an excellent foundation for power chords and simple bass lines, enhancing horizontal movement.
• Complex Harmonies: The full open string set (E G D A D F#) can be interpreted as a D major chord with added E and G, creating rich, extended harmonies like Dsus2add4 or even elements of Gmaj7#11, depending on the tonal center.

String Gauge Considerations: String 2 is tuned up by 3 semitones. While this is generally within acceptable limits for standard string gauges, players should exercise caution and tune slowly to prevent string breakage. No strings exceed the +/- 4 semitone threshold that would strongly advise a different string gauge, making this tuning generally safe for most standard sets.

How to Tune "Fun Fifths"

To achieve the "Fun Fifths" tuning, carefully adjust each string from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) according to the instructions below. Use a reliable tuner for accuracy.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is E2.

• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones. The target note is G2.

• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The target note is D3.

• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note is A3.

• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones. The target note is D4. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a significant adjustment; tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage.

• 1st String (High E): Tune up 2 semitones. The target note is F5#.