Melancholy Lydian Open: A Deeper Dive

This unique tuning, which the creator describes as an "emo tuning," presents a complex and evocative soundscape. It's built upon an intricate harmonic foundation, moving beyond conventional open chords to offer a rich, ethereal, and somewhat pensive sonic palette. The wide array of notes spread across several octaves contributes to its distinct character, making it suitable for ambient soundscapes, progressive compositions, or to add a unique emotional depth to any genre.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are E2, G#3, B2, F#4, A#4, and D#5. When analyzed for its harmonic content, this tuning forms a sophisticated E Major 7 chord with additional extensions: specifically, an Emaj7(9,#11). The notes can be viewed as E (root), G# (major third), B (perfect fifth), D# (major seventh), F# (major ninth), and A# (augmented eleventh). The presence of the A# (#11) immediately evokes an E Lydian mode, known for its bright, dreamy, and slightly elevated quality. The tuning's structure features a solid low E and B, providing a strong root and fifth, while the upper strings introduce these colorful and higher-pitched extensions, creating significant intervallic jumps between adjacent strings (e.g., B2 to G#3 is a minor 6th, F#4 to A#4 is an augmented 4th). This non-standard arrangement prevents easy strumming of all strings as a simple chord but rather encourages exploration of partial voicings and arpeggiated figures.

Chordal Possibilities

• Open Chord: The open strings collectively produce a lush Emaj7(9,#11) or E Lydian chord, which can serve as a powerful harmonic anchor for compositions. Its rich, unresolved-yet-beautiful quality lends itself well to atmospheric music.
• Barred Chords: By barring across all or most strings up the neck, you can easily transpose this E Lydian quality. For instance, a barre at the 1st fret would yield an Fmaj7(9,#11) voicing, and at the 3rd fret, Gmaj7(9,#11). This allows for quick harmonic movement while maintaining the characteristic sound of the tuning.
• Power Chords & Bass Lines: The low E2 and B2 provide an excellent foundation for power chords and bass lines on the 6th and 4th strings, offering a stable rhythmic and harmonic base.
• Creative Voicings: The unique spacing of notes encourages innovative fingerings and partial chords. Experimenting with two- or three-finger voicings and arpeggios will unlock a wide range of harmonious and dissonant textures.

How to Tune

To achieve this tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard A2, this string should be tuned to G#2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 3 semitones. From standard D3, this string should be tuned to B2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard G3, this string should be tuned to F#3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard B3, this string should be tuned to A#3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone. From standard E4, this string should be tuned to D#4.

Important Note on String Gauges: When adjusting string tension, especially by significant amounts, care should be taken. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, it is generally recommended to consider using a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and avoid potential string breakage or undesirable floppiness. In this particular tuning, all string adjustments are within a modest 3-semitone range, meaning standard light to medium gauge strings should be perfectly suitable. Always tune carefully and incrementally.

Below are the precise notes for each open string in this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A): G#3
• 4th String (D): B2
• 3rd String (G): F#4
• 2nd String (B): A#4
• 1st String (High E): D#5