Tuning Analysis: E Dominant 13 (No 5)

This intriguing tuning, which we've named "E Dominant 13 (No 5)", presents a sophisticated and open-voiced chord suitable for a variety of musical genres, particularly jazz, fusion, blues, and funk. As the original description hints, it's a creative exploration of an extended dominant sound.

Verbal Analysis

Strumming all open strings in this tuning immediately produces a rich and complex E dominant 13th chord, featuring the root (E), major third (G#), minor seventh (D), perfect fourth/eleventh (A), and major thirteenth (C#). Noticeably, the fifth (B) is absent, a common practice in jazz voicings where the fifth is often implied or provided by other instruments, allowing for a cleaner and more open sound. The arrangement of these notes across the fretboard, with its wide intervallic jumps, offers a unique sonic landscape. The high C# and E, coupled with the low E, create a broad and resonant spread, making this tuning excellent for arpeggiated figures and open-string drones that ring out with harmonic complexity.

This tuning facilitates an immediate "chord-at-your-fingertips" experience. Moving a full barre shape up the neck would instantly generate other extended dominant chords, giving you a powerful harmonic tool. However, the unconventional intervals between certain adjacent strings (like the descending tritone from G3# to D3, and the descending minor sixth from C5# to E4) might require some adaptation for traditional chord shapes, opening doors to highly individual voicings and melodic possibilities not typically found in standard tuning. It encourages exploration of wider stretches and partial chord shapes that highlight the intricate harmonies available.

Technical Analysis

• Root (E): Present on the 6th string (E2) and 1st string (E4).
• Major Third (G#): Found on the 5th string (G3#).
• Minor Seventh (D): Located on the 4th string (D3).
• Perfect Fourth / Eleventh (A): On the 3rd string (A3).
• Major Thirteenth / Sixth (C#): Situated on the 2nd string (C5#).

The open strings collectively form an E13(add11, no5) chord. The wide interval choices for the octaves of some notes, particularly the high C5# and G3#, lend a bright, almost harp-like quality to the upper register when strummed. The unique spacing between strings, such as the significant drop in pitch from G3# (5th string) to D3 (4th string) and from C5# (2nd string) to E4 (1st string), creates open voicings that are both challenging and rewarding for fingerstyle players seeking expansive textures.

How to Tune

To set your guitar to the "E Dominant 13 (No 5)" tuning, follow these specific adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note that while the semitone movements are described precisely as per the tuning data, the target octave for some strings might imply a larger overall change if starting from a standard pitch, so always verify with a tuner.

• String 6 (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to reach E2.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 1 semitone to reach G3#.
• String 4 (D string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to reach D3.
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 2 semitones to reach A3.
• String 2 (B string): Tune up 2 semitones to reach C5#.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to reach E4.

Note on String Gauges: All specified string movements in terms of semitones (0 to 2) are within a reasonable range for standard guitar strings. You should generally not need to change your string gauge for this tuning based on these movements. However, always exercise caution when tuning up strings to avoid breakage, and use a reliable tuner to ensure accuracy.

String 6 (Low E): E2 - This remains the lowest root of the chord, providing a deep foundation.

String 5 (A String): G3# - Tuned down from A, this string provides the crucial major third of the E dominant chord, but at a surprisingly high octave compared to the 6th string.

String 4 (D String): D3 - This string maintains its standard pitch, contributing the minor seventh of the E dominant chord.

String 3 (G String): A3 - Tuned up from G, this provides the perfect fourth or eleventh, adding a characteristic suspension/extension to the dominant sound.

String 2 (B String): C5# - Tuned up from B, this high C# delivers the major thirteenth of the chord, again at a very high octave, creating a sparkling top end.

String 1 (High E): E4 - This string remains at its standard pitch, providing an octave of the root to complete the full, resonant chord.