Tuning Overview: Eclipse 1

The "Eclipse 1" tuning, as described by its creator, was designed for an 'eclipse session', suggesting a specific mood or sound aesthetic. This is a unique and largely open-sounding tuning for a 6-string guitar, featuring a re-entrant characteristic that can inspire interesting melodic and harmonic textures.

Technical Analysis

The target tuning notes for your guitar are E2-G2-D3-F#4-A3-E4 (from the lowest to the highest string). Let's break down the intervals and potential harmonic implications:

• Strings 6, 4, 1 (E2, D3, E4) remain at their standard pitches, providing familiar anchor points.
• String 5 (G2) is tuned down a minor third from standard A2, creating a resonant minor third interval with the low E (E2-G2).
• String 3 (F#4) is tuned to F#4. This note is significantly higher than its standard G3 position and, notably, is an octave higher than the F#3 that would result from a simple 1-semitone drop from G3. More strikingly, this F#4 is higher in pitch than the A3 on string 2, making this a re-entrant tuning. This creates intriguing possibilities for arpeggiation and string skipping, offering a unique sonic texture.
• String 2 (A3) is tuned down a whole step from standard B3. This creates a strong perfect fifth interval with the high E4 (A3-E4).

The open strings E2-G2-D3-F#4-A3-E4 feature the notes E, G, D, F#, and A. When considering these notes, several harmonic possibilities and characteristics emerge:

• D Major Triad: Strings 4, 3, and 2 (D3-F#4-A3) beautifully form an open D major chord (specifically, a D major with the F# in the middle, an octave up). This allows for rich, ringing D major harmony by simply strumming these three strings.
• E Minor / G Major Tonality: The combination of E, G, and D (from strings 6, 5, 4) strongly suggests an E minor or G major tonal center. The F# (string 3) adds a Dorian flavor if E is considered the root, or a Lydian quality if D is the root, expanding the harmonic palette.
• Resonant Intervals: The G2-D3 (strings 5-4) and A3-E4 (strings 2-1) are both perfect fifths, providing strong, resonant harmonic foundations that can support drones and open voicings. The minor third (E2-G2) also contributes to a melancholic or bluesy feel.

This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for open strumming, intricate fingerstyle arrangements, and drone-based music where the unique intervals and the re-entrant string create a lush, atmospheric soundscape. Chord shapes will feel quite different compared to standard tuning, particularly due to the raised F#4 and the lower A3, encouraging exploration of new voicings and melodic patterns.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Eclipse 1" tuning from standard EADGBe (E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these instructions for each string:

• String 6 (Low E - E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A - A2): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 4 (D - D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G - G3): Tune down 1 semitone to F#3. Note: The final tuning notes provided for this string (in the tuning_notes section of the JSON) specify F#4, which is an entire octave higher than the F#3 achieved by this single semitone movement from standard G3. If F#4 is the desired target, an additional upward adjustment of one octave (12 semitones) from F#3 would be required, or a direct tuning up of 11 semitones from G3. Please confirm your intended target for this string to ensure correct setup.
• String 2 (B - B3): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E - E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

None of the required string movements exceed the recommended range of +/- 4 semitones for any single string, so a different string gauge should not be strictly necessary for this tuning, though a change might be considered for String 3 if aiming for F#4 due to the significant pitch jump.