Tuning Analysis: An Evening with Ramsey Beyer

This tuning, officially named "An Evening with Ramsey Beyer - Into It. Over It." by the artist, is designed for a standard Guitar. It presents a captivating open tuning that invites rich harmonic exploration.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning instantly conjures a bright, full, and resonant sound. When strummed open, it rings out a powerful E Major chord, making it incredibly satisfying for players seeking an immediate, full-bodied sound. It's a fantastic choice for anthemic rock, blues, folk, or fingerstyle pieces where a strong, consistent major tonality is desired. The arrangement of notes across different octaves provides a unique breadth to the E Major sound, feeling both familiar and expansive, encouraging rich drones and shimmering textures.

Technical Analysis

This is an Open E Major tuning. The open strings are tuned to E2 G3# B2 E3 G4# B3. These notes collectively form an E Major triad (E, G#, B) across all six strings. Specifically, from the lowest E (E2), the intervals are:

• String 6 (E2): Root (E)
• String 5 (G3#): Major Third (G#) - an octave above what would be a G#2.
• String 4 (B2): Perfect Fifth (B)
• String 3 (E3): Octave (E)
• String 2 (G4#): Major Third (G#) - two octaves above the initial G#2 reference.
• String 1 (B3): Perfect Fifth (B) - an octave above the B2 on string 4.

This arrangement ensures that an E Major chord is produced simply by strumming all open strings, offering a deep and harmonically rich foundation.

Chordal Possibilities

• Open E Major: The most obvious and immediate chord is E Major, achieved by strumming all strings open.
• Barre Chords: By barring across any fret, you can easily create major chords corresponding to that fret (e.g., barring the 1st fret yields F Major, the 2nd fret yields F# Major, and so on). This makes transposition exceptionally straightforward.
• Minor Chords: Minor chords are within easy reach. For example, to achieve an E minor chord, you would fret the G# notes (on strings 5 and 2) down one semitone to G.
• Slide Guitar: Open major tunings are a natural fit for slide guitar, allowing for smooth, harmonious glissandos and rich, sustained chords.
• Extended Voicings: The specific octave placements of the G# and B notes across the strings create unique and lush voicings that add depth and character beyond a standard open E tuning.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the 'Open E Major Resonance' tuning, adjust your guitar strings according to the following instructions. The movements are described relative to a typical starting position, though some target notes are significantly different from standard tuning's initial string pitch. Always use a digital tuner for precision.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune to E2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5: Tune to G3#. Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 4: Tune to B2. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to E3. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 2: Tune to G4#. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 1 (High E): Tune to B3. Tune down 5 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant adjustment. If your current string gauge is light, this may result in excessive slack or poor intonation. Consider using a heavier gauge string for this string to achieve optimal tension and tone.

Please be aware that some of these target notes, combined with the described semitone movements, may imply a significant total shift from standard EADGBe for some strings. Always ensure your strings are stable and check intonation after tuning.

String 6 (Low E): Tuned to E2. This provides the fundamental root note of the E Major chord, offering a deep and anchoring bass.

String 5: Tuned to G3#. This delivers the crucial major third, an octave higher than one might expect for the 5th string in a simple open E, adding significant brightness and harmonic richness.

String 4: Tuned to B2. This note establishes the perfect fifth of the E Major chord, contributing to the full and balanced open voicing.

String 3: Tuned to E3. This is the root note an octave higher than the low E, reinforcing the fundamental and creating a resonant, open quality.

String 2: Tuned to G4#. Another major third, this note sits two octaves above the initial G# reference, providing a shimmering, high-register melodic voice.

String 1 (High E): Tuned to B3. This is the perfect fifth, an octave higher than the B on string 4, completing the bright and expansive E Major chord across the higher strings.