Tuning Analysis: Open E Major 7th Voicing

This intriguing tuning, originally named "nk music" and described as "funzies 4 an album idk ooooooooop," presents a highly harmonically rich and open sound. We've named it "Open E Major 7th Voicing" due to its dominant tonal center and complex chordal possibilities.

Verbal Analysis: Sound and Feel

The "Open E Major 7th Voicing" tuning immediately strikes with a bright, ethereal, and somewhat otherworldly character. The strong presence of E, G#, B, and D# creates a full E Major 7th chord when strummed open, lending it a sophisticated and expansive feel. The addition of F# (the 2nd) and C# (the 6th) further enhances this, pushing it towards an E Lydian-like scale. This makes it ideal for ambient soundscapes, progressive rock, jazz fusion, or any genre seeking a rich, sustained harmonic texture. It invites exploration with arpeggios, fingerstyle melodies, and open chord voicings that resonate with unique clarity. The wide intervallic jumps between certain strings (specifically, the 6th to 5th and 2nd to 1st) contribute to a broad sonic palette, allowing for deep bass notes to chime with high trebles, creating a sense of spaciousness and complexity.

Technical Analysis: Intervals and Chords

The tuning notes are as follows, from low E (6th string) to high C# (1st string):

• String 6: E2
• String 5: G3#
• String 4: D4#
• String 3: F4#
• String 2: B3
• String 1: C5#

Analyzing the intervals between adjacent strings reveals a highly non-standard and open structure:

• 6th (E2) to 5th (G3#): A considerable jump of 16 semitones (an octave and a Major 3rd). This creates a wide gap, allowing for deep bass notes to ring against the higher register.
• 5th (G3#) to 4th (D4#): A Perfect 5th (7 semitones). This is a familiar and consonant interval.
• 4th (D4#) to 3rd (F4#): A Minor 3rd (3 semitones). This creates a slightly more melancholic or bluesy close harmony.
• 3rd (F4#) to 2nd (B3): A Perfect 4th down (7 semitones, or -7 semitones from F#4 to B3). Note the 2nd string is an octave lower than a standard B string, creating a dip in pitch.
• 2nd (B3) to 1st (C5#): Another significant jump of 14 semitones (an octave and a Major 2nd). This brings the highest string back up dramatically, enhancing the tuning's broad range.

The combined open strings (E, G#, D#, F#, B, C#) form a rich, extended E major sonority. Specifically, this could be interpreted as an Emaj7(#11) chord (E, G#, B, D# with F# as the #11) with an added C# (the 6th). This makes for beautiful, resonant open chords. Barring across any fret will transpose this complex voicing, providing a consistent intervallic framework for exploring harmonic ideas up and down the neck. Standard chord shapes will not translate, demanding a fresh approach to fretboard navigation and the discovery of new, unique voicings. The wide stretches and octave displacements offer opportunities for expansive arpeggios and interwoven melodies.

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the "Open E Major 7th Voicing" tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-e, follow these instructions carefully. Remember to tune slowly and check your pitch frequently.

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at E2.
• 5th String (A String): Tune down 1 semitone. This string moves from A to G3#.
• 4th String (D String): Tune up 1 semitone. This string moves from D to D4#.
• 3rd String (G String): Tune down 1 semitone. This string moves from G to F4#.
• 2nd String (B String): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This string remains at B3.
• 1st String (High e String): Tune down 3 semitones. This string moves from E to C5#.

Important Note on String Gauge: All tuning adjustments in this tuning are within a safe range of +/- 3 semitones. For tunings requiring a change of 4 semitones or more, either up or down, it is generally advised to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and guitar health.

String 6: E2 (Low E)

String 5: G3# (A string tuned down 1 semitone)

String 4: D4# (D string tuned up 1 semitone)

String 3: F4# (G string tuned down 1 semitone)

String 2: B3 (B string, no change)

String 1: C5# (High e string tuned down 3 semitones)