This is a unique and harmonically rich guitar tuning, inspired by the intricate compositions of Andy McKee. While the original tuning name "Rylynn, One Step up" suggests a specific relationship to a base Rylynn tuning, the actual notes create a distinct sonic landscape. It features a fascinating blend of perfect fourths and a major second interval, diverging significantly from standard guitar tuning.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning, F2 A#3 D#4 G#4 A#4 D#5 (enharmonically F2 Bb3 Eb4 Ab4 Bb4 Eb5), immediately strikes the ear with its dense, modern sound. The majority of the strings are tuned in perfect fourths (F-Bb-Eb-Ab and Bb-Eb), a common interval in jazz and modern classical music, which allows for smooth, scalar movement and rich, open voicings. The open strings themselves do not form a simple major or minor triad, but rather a sophisticated cluster of notes (F, Bb, Eb, Ab) forming a quartal harmony. The repetition of A# (Bb) and D# (Eb) on the higher strings provides excellent drone opportunities and adds a shimmering resonance, characteristic of many fingerstyle compositions.

Due to the prevalence of perfect fourths, many chord shapes, particularly barre chords, will be easily translatable across the lower strings (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 1st strings). The interval between the 3rd (G#/Ab) and 2nd (A#/Bb) strings is a major second, which will require some adaptation for standard chord voicings, but also opens up interesting melodic possibilities and dissonant textures. This tuning is ideal for creating complex harmonies, melodic lines with drone notes, and exploring contemporary fingerstyle techniques, reminiscent of Andy McKee's style, often associated with a 'quartal' or 'perfect fourths' sound.

Technical Analysis

The instrument is a standard 6-string guitar. The tuning notes are as follows:

• 6th String: F2
• 5th String: A#3
• 4th String: D#4
• 3rd String: G#4
• 2nd String: A#4
• 1st String: D#5

When compared to standard EADGBe tuning, the changes are relatively minor in terms of pitch adjustment for each string:

• The 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings are all tuned up by 1 semitone.
• The 2nd and 1st strings are both tuned down by 1 semitone.

This minimal string tension alteration means that this tuning is generally safe for most guitars without requiring a change in string gauge, as no individual string is moved by more than 1 semitone from its standard pitch. The overall range of the tuning spans from a low F2 to a high D#5, providing a broad sonic palette for compositions.

Open String Notes

Here are the specific notes for each open string in this tuning:

• 6th String (low E string equivalent): F2
• 5th String (A string equivalent): A#3
• 4th String (D string equivalent): D#4
• 3rd String (G string equivalent): G#4
• 2nd String (B string equivalent): A#4
• 1st String (high E string equivalent): D#5

How to Tune

To achieve the "Elevated Rylynn Quartal" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and follow these adjustments for each string:

• 6th String (E): Tune up 1 semitones to F2. (Original E2 moves up 1 semitone).
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitones to A#3. (Original A3 moves up 1 semitone).
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitones to D#4. (Original D4 moves up 1 semitone).
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 1 semitones to G#4. (Original G4 moves up 1 semitone).
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4. (Original B4 moves down 1 semitone).
• 1st String (high E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5. (Original E5 moves down 1 semitone).

Important Note on String Gauge: All string adjustments in this tuning involve moving by only 1 semitone up or down. These are minor changes in tension and are generally safe for standard guitar string gauges. You do not need to consider a different string gauge for this particular tuning.