This is the Five-String Tenor Guitar Tuning, specifically designed for a 6-string short-scale guitar setup with only 5 strings. It offers a unique approach to guitar playing, departing significantly from standard tunings to provide a distinct sonic character and fretboard logic.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is characterized by its consistent perfect fifth interval between all adjacent strings, from the lowest F2 to the highest A4. This uniformity creates a highly intuitive fretboard, where scales, arpeggios, and melodic patterns are easily transferable across the instrument. The sound is bright and resonant, reminiscent of instruments like the mandolin, cello, or even some bass tunings, offering a clear and ringing quality. It provides a broad sonic spectrum, starting with a deep, authoritative F and extending to a bright, cutting A. This tuning encourages linear playing and melodic exploration, making it excellent for lead lines, solos, and intricate fingerstyle passages where consistent interval relationships are key.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F2, C3, G3, D4, and A4. Each string is a perfect fifth (P5) above the one below it:

• F2 to C3 (P5)
• C3 to G3 (P5)
• G3 to D4 (P5)
• D4 to A4 (P5)

This all-fifths interval structure means that while traditional guitar chord shapes will not apply, power chords are incredibly accessible and can be played with just two adjacent fingers across any two strings (e.g., F-C, C-G, G-D, D-A). Open string voicings offer interesting, often suspended or extended sounds. For example, strings 4-3-2 (C-G-D) form a C major sus2 chord, and strings 3-2-1 (G-D-A) form a G major sus2 chord. The open strings together (F-C-G-D-A) are a subset of the C major scale, allowing for easy melodic exploration within that key. This tuning excels in modal playing and creating expansive arpeggios, making it a versatile choice for styles ranging from jazz and folk to more experimental genres.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe, 5-string setup)

To achieve the Five-String Tenor Guitar Tuning, assuming a standard 6-string guitar where the low E string is removed and the remaining strings are E A D G B E (from low to high) become your new 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings respectively:

• 5th String (original A string): Tune down 4 semitones from A to F2. This is a significant drop in tension, ensure your string remains stable.
• 4th String (original D string): Tune down 2 semitones from D to C3.
• 3rd String (original G string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at G3.
• 2nd String (original B string): Tune up 3 semitones from B to D4. Exercise caution when tuning up.
• 1st String (original E string): Tune up 5 semitones from E to A4. This is a substantial increase in tension; a lighter gauge string is strongly advised for this string to prevent breakage and neck damage.

General advice: For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), consider using a different string gauge to optimize tension and avoid potential damage to your instrument or strings.

String 5: F2 — The lowest string, providing a deep, resonant bass foundation.

String 4: C3 — Tuned a perfect fifth above the 5th string, adding depth to the midrange.

String 3: G3 — Tuned a perfect fifth above the 4th string, serving as a versatile central pitch.

String 2: D4 — Tuned a perfect fifth above the 3rd string, contributing to the upper midrange clarity.

String 1: A4 — The highest string, offering bright, clear treble notes and extended melodic range.