Open Emaj9 Tuning Analysis

Verbal Analysis

The Open Emaj9 tuning is a rich and sophisticated open chord tuning that immediately presents a full E Major 9 chord when strummed open. This creates a lush, harmonically dense sound, perfect for genres like jazz, R&B, neo-soul, or ambient music, as well as for adding complex textures to pop and rock. The description from its creator, "Made it up and am gonna use it," speaks to its unique and experimental nature, encouraging players to explore new sonic landscapes.

Because the open strings form a complete Emaj9 chord, simply barring across any fret will yield another Major 9 chord, providing a straightforward way to transpose the open chord up and down the neck. For instance, barring at the 3rd fret would yield a Gmaj9 chord. This makes for easy melodic and harmonic exploration. Players can also experiment by muting specific strings or by adding a finger to create inversions or extensions, opening up a vast palette of chord voicings with minimal effort.

The tuning's structure, particularly the arrangement of the E notes and the presence of the G# and B, facilitates bluesy bends and slides, especially on the lower strings, despite its jazzy name. The close proximity of the Major 7th (D#) and Major 9th (F#) also encourages interesting arpeggiated patterns and leading tones.

Technical Analysis

The Open Emaj9 tuning sets the guitar strings to the following notes from low to high: E2, G3#, E3, F4#, B3, D5#. When these notes are arranged chromatically and grouped by octave, they reveal the intervals of an E Major 9 chord: E (Root), G# (Major Third), B (Perfect Fifth), D# (Major Seventh), and F# (Major Ninth). The E3 acts as an octave of the root, adding fullness and depth to the chord.

This particular voicing creates a wide, shimmering chord, with the Major Third (G#) placed on the 5th string and the Major Seventh (D#) on the 1st string. The F# (Major 9th) on the 3rd string provides a bright, extended harmony that differentiates this from a simpler E Major 7. The consistent root and fifth on the 6th and 2nd strings (E and B respectively) provide a solid foundation for the more complex intervals.

How to Tune

Tuning your guitar to Open Emaj9 from standard EADGBe tuning involves the following adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones to E4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

These adjustments are relatively minor, with no string requiring a movement of more than 2 semitones up or 1 semitone down. Therefore, your current string gauge should be perfectly suitable for this tuning, and there is no strong recommendation to change to a different gauge for stability or playability.

Tuning Notes Breakdown

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String: G3#
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: F4#
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String (High E): D5#