Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning, originally named "Two Moons" and famously utilized by the band toe in their song, crafts an intricate and ethereal sonic landscape. It is distinctly not a tuning designed for straightforward, open chord strumming, but rather excels in creating complex arpeggios, shimmering textures, and delicate fingerstyle passages. The wide range and specific intervallic relationships across the strings cultivate a resonant, often contemplative, and occasionally dissonant quality, characteristic of modern progressive and ambient guitar music. Players will discover ample opportunities for rich harmonic movement and nuanced melodic exploration, particularly when focusing on smaller groupings of strings to articulate specific voicings.

A significant harmonic anchor within this tuning is a clear E Major triad, prominently formed by the low E string (String 6: E2), the G# on String 5 (G#3), and the B on String 2 (B2). This provides a strong tonal center, around which the other notes (D3, F#4, D#5) intricately weave a tapestry of extensions and color tones. The presence of both a D (minor 7th) and D# (major 7th) means that careful string selection and voicing are crucial to achieve desired harmonic effects, encouraging players to explore the unique qualities these notes lend to suspended, dominant, or major 7th chords. This tuning invites guitarists to venture into less conventional harmonic territories, offering a fresh and inspiring palette for creative expression.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning, from String 6 (lowest pitch) to String 1 (highest pitch), are: E2, G#3, D3, F#4, B2, D#5.

• String 6 (E2): This lowest string provides a solid E root, grounding the entire tuning.
• String 5 (G#3): Pitched as a Major 3rd above the E root, significantly adding to the bright character.
• String 4 (D3): This D note represents a minor 7th relative to the E root, introducing a bluesy or dominant quality when combined with other notes.
• String 3 (F#4): An F# note, functioning as a Major 2nd (or 9th) relative to the E root, provides a high, clear melodic voice.
• String 2 (B2): This B note serves as the Perfect 5th of the E root, offering harmonic stability and depth, significantly dropped in pitch.
• String 1 (D#5): The highest D# note acts as a Major 7th relative to the E root, contributing a sparkling, yet slightly unresolved, major 7th color.

The composite open strings reveal a complex set of intervals: E (root), F# (M2), G# (M3), B (P5), D (m7), D# (M7). This rich intervallic structure, spanning over three octaves (from E2 to D#5), facilitates intricate arpeggiated patterns and multi-layered voicings, making it ideal for experimental harmonic landscapes rather than standard chord forms.

How to Tune 'Toe's Two Moons Tuning'

To achieve the 'Toe's Two Moons Tuning', follow these specific adjustments for each string, starting from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note that significant changes in string tension (tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones) can affect string longevity and intonation, and in some cases, a different string gauge might be advised for optimal performance.

• String 6 (Low E) to E2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at its standard pitch.
• String 5 (A) to G3#: Tune down 1 semitone. Adjust your A string down one half-step to reach G#3.
• String 4 (D) to D3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at its standard pitch.
• String 3 (G) to F4#: Tune down 1 semitone. Adjust your G string down one half-step to reach F#4.
• String 2 (B) to B2: Tune down 12 semitones. This is a substantial drop, lowering the string by a full octave. Due to this significant decrease in tension, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone, sustain, and playability if you plan to use this tuning frequently.
• String 1 (High E) to D5#: Tune down 1 semitone. Adjust your high E string down one half-step to reach D#5.