Tuning Overview: Denn's E6 "Floaty" Tuning

This unique open tuning, named "Denn's Tuning," is described by its creator as a successful quest for "floaty open tunings." It indeed settles into what is accurately an E6 chord across the open strings, creating a rich, resonant, and harmonically complete sound.

Technically, the open string notes are E2-G3#-B2-E3-B3-C5#. This arrangement places the root (E), major third (G#), perfect fifth (B), and major sixth (C#) of an E6 chord across the strings, with duplicate E and B notes at different octaves for added depth. The wide intervallic jumps, particularly the G3# on the 5th string and C5# on the 1st string, contribute significantly to the "floaty" and expansive feel, providing a bright, shimmering top end that can evoke a sense of spaciousness and ethereal harmony. This tuning provides a solid harmonic foundation for exploring melodic lines and arpeggios that will naturally outline the E6 chord.

Open Chord Possibilities

With an open E6 chord already established, this tuning offers immediate harmonic richness. Its structure makes it highly amenable to barre chords: barring across any fret will instantly yield the corresponding major sixth chord (e.g., bar at the 1st fret for F6, 2nd fret for F#6, 3rd fret for G6). This makes it incredibly versatile for rhythm playing and songwriting in keys where major sixths are desired. The open tuning itself suggests a bright, perhaps jazzy, folk, or even cinematic palette, ideal for arpeggiated figures that highlight the wide intervals and the distinct character of the major sixth. Simple two-finger shapes or partial barres can also unlock a variety of related chords, leveraging the E and B unison/octave notes.

How to Tune

Please exercise care when adjusting string tension. While the specified semitone movements from standard tuning are mostly within typical limits (none exceed +/-3 semitones), be aware that the target pitches for the 5th (G3#) and 1st (C5#) strings involve a significant overall pitch increase from their standard starting notes, which will result in higher string tension. Always ensure your guitar's neck can handle the altered tension. We recommend using a digital tuner for accuracy. For strings requiring a change of more than 4 semitones (up or down) from their standard pitch, a different string gauge is often advised to maintain optimal tension and prevent string breakage or instrument damage.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep your 6th string as is at its standard E2 pitch (0 semitones). The target note is E2.
• 5th String (A String): From its standard A2, tune your 5th string down 1 semitone. The final target note is G3#. Note: Tuning down 1 semitone from A2 would typically result in G#2. Achieving G3# requires a significant pitch increase, effectively tuning an octave higher than the semitone adjustment suggests. Proceed with caution.
• 4th String (D String): From its standard D3, tune your 4th string down 3 semitones. The target note is B2.
• 3rd String (G String): From its standard G3, tune your 3rd string down 3 semitones. The target note is E3.
• 2nd String (B String): Keep your 2nd string as is at its standard B3 pitch (0 semitones). The target note is B3.
• 1st String (High E String): From its standard E4, tune your 1st string down 3 semitones. The final target note is C5#. Note: Tuning down 3 semitones from E4 would typically result in C#4. Achieving C5# requires a significant pitch increase, effectively tuning an octave higher than the semitone adjustment suggests. Proceed with caution.

6th String (Low E): E2

5th String (A String): G3#

4th String (D String): B2

3rd String (G String): E3

2nd String (B String): B3

1st String (High E String): C5#