A Minor Lydian: An Ethereal and Evocative Soundscape

This unique custom tuning, aptly named "A minor lydian" and crafted "for a song," offers a captivating blend of contrasting musical flavors. It masterfully weaves together the bright, soaring qualities of the Lydian mode with the grounding, often melancholic, feel of a minor context, creating a rich and emotionally resonant open sound.

Verbal Analysis:

From the first strum, this tuning immediately grabs attention. The presence of both C# and D# among the open strings firmly establishes a luminous, Lydian character, providing a sense of lift and ethereal beauty that is often associated with film scores and dreamy soundscapes. However, the unexpected F2 on the lowest string introduces a fascinating tension. This F acts as a minor sixth to the central A, or perhaps a temporary tonal center, pulling the overall harmony into a more ambiguous, darker, or more complex emotional space than a pure Lydian tuning would. The result is a tuning that can sound both majestic and wistful, bright and deeply reflective, allowing for expressive chord voicings and melodic explorations that defy simple categorization. It feels designed for a piece that explores both hope and contemplation.

Technical Analysis:

The open string notes are F2 A2 E3 A3 C#5 D#5. This arrangement is highly intentional:

• Core Harmony: The tuning prominently features an A major triad (A2, E3, A3, C#5) across the middle strings, providing a strong, clear harmonic foundation.
• Lydian Characteristic: The D#5 on the first string is the defining characteristic of the Lydian mode (augmented fourth), contributing a distinct sparkle and tension-release quality. Paired with C#5 on the second string, these high notes offer easy access to Lydian melodic phrases.
• Ambigious Bass: The F2 on the lowest string acts as a minor 6th or flat 6th from A. This F bass note creates sophisticated voicings, suggesting extensions like Aadd(b6), Fmaj7#5, or a powerful subdominant pull depending on the melodic context.
• Chordal Opportunities:
  • An open A major chord (A-C#-E) is immediately available and rings out beautifully.
  • The overall open voicing (F-A-E-A-C#-D#) can be heard as a complex Fmaj7#5add#11 or a powerful A major chord with a minor 6th and an augmented 4th.
  • By simply barring across a fret, you can easily transpose the open chord shape, allowing for quick access to various harmonically rich chords up and down the neck.
  • The tight interval of a whole step between the C# and D# on the top two strings encourages delicate, shimmering arpeggios or dissonant melodic accents.

This tuning is ideal for players looking to explore modal jazz, progressive rock, or create atmospheric soundscapes where a balance of brightness and depth is desired.

How to Tune to A Minor Lydian

To achieve the A Minor Lydian tuning from standard EADGBE, please follow these specific string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitones to F2. (Starting from E, move up to F).
• String 5 (A to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at A2.
• String 4 (D to E3): Tune up 2 semitones to E3. (Starting from D, move up to E).
• String 3 (G to A3): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. (Starting from G, move up to A).
• String 2 (B to C#5): Tune up 2 semitones to C#5. (Starting from B, move up to C#).
• String 1 (High E to D#5): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5. (Starting from E, move down to D#).

Important Note on String Tension: All string adjustments in this tuning are within a relatively safe range (between -1 and +2 semitones). Generally, if you exceed tuning down more than 4 semitones or up more than 4 semitones from standard, it's advisable to consider a different string gauge to maintain proper tension and avoid potential string breakage or intonation issues. For this "A minor lydian" tuning, your current string gauge should be suitable, but always tune carefully and listen for any undue strain on your guitar.