Verbal and Technical Analysis

This intriguing custom tuning, named "All Fifths Tuning" in the JSON, offers a unique sonic landscape for guitarists. While the name suggests a consistent series of perfect fifths, the actual note sequence presents a fascinating blend, primarily featuring perfect fifths with a distinctive break—a descending perfect fourth—between the 3rd and 2nd strings.

According to its creator, this is a "Self made tuning" suitable "for all types of playing" and serves as an "Alternative to CGDAEB tuning which is extremely hard to reach on guitar due to high b." This indicates an intention to achieve a wide harmonic range and open voicings without pushing string tension to impractical limits on the higher strings.

Technical Observations:

• The tuning starts with a strong foundation of Perfect Fifths on the lower strings: F2 (6th string) to C3 (5th string) is a Perfect Fifth, C3 to G3 (4th string) is a Perfect Fifth, and G3 to D4 (3rd string) is also a Perfect Fifth. This consistent interval facilitates easy transposition of melodic lines and powerful, resonant chord voicings, reminiscent of cello or mandolin family instruments. Power chords will sound particularly rich and full across these strings.
• The notable deviation occurs between the 3rd string (D4) and the 2nd string (A3), which is a Perfect Fourth *down* (-5 semitones). This break in the fifths pattern introduces a different harmonic character and might make some shapes on the upper strings feel more familiar or accessible compared to a pure all-fifths tuning.
• The top two strings, A3 (2nd string) to E4 (1st string), revert to a Perfect Fifth interval. This segment (A-E) mirrors the interval found on the two lowest strings in standard tuning (E-A), albeit an octave higher, which could offer some familiar fingerings for lead playing or higher register chords.
• The overall tuning interval sequence from low to high is: P5, P5, P5, P4 down, P5.

Open Chords and Reachable Shapes:

The open strings (F2 C3 G3 D4 A3 E4) themselves don't form a single simple major or minor triad, but they create a very rich and open harmonic cluster. The notes available are F, C, G, D, A, E.

• F Major / Fmaj9#11 Implication: With F, A, C, E, G, D available, the open strings strongly imply an F Major sonority, particularly an Fmaj9#11 (F A C E G B D, where B would be the #11, and we have D as the 6th/13th). A simple F major chord (F-A-C) can be easily constructed using the 6th (F2), 2nd (A3), and 5th (C3) strings.
• C Major / Cmaj9 Implication: The notes C, E, G, D, F are present. This provides the root, third, fifth, ninth, and eleventh of a C chord. A clear C major (C-E-G) can be found on strings 5 (C3), 1 (E4), and 4 (G3).
• A Minor / Am11 Implication: With A, C, E, G, D, F, the open strings contain the root, minor third, fifth, minor seventh, ninth, and eleventh of an A minor chord. An A minor triad (A-C-E) is readily available on strings 2 (A3), 5 (C3), and 1 (E4).
• Power Chords: The three consecutive perfect fifths on the lower strings (F2-C3-G3-D4) make two-string and three-string power chords incredibly easy to play and transpose. Moving a single finger barre up or down the fretboard across these lower strings will yield powerful, open-sounding chord voicings.
• The unique combination of fifths and the descending fourth encourages creative exploration, offering both familiar chord shapes and new sonic textures.

Tuning Notes Overview

• String 6 (Lowest E-string equivalent): Tuned to F2
• String 5 (A-string equivalent): Tuned to C3
• String 4 (D-string equivalent): Tuned to G3
• String 3 (G-string equivalent): Tuned to D4
• String 2 (B-string equivalent): Tuned to A3
• String 1 (Highest E-string equivalent): Tuned to E4

How to Tune

To achieve the 'All Fifths Tuning' (F2 C3 G3 D4 A3 E4) from standard guitar tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), follow these specific adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (E string): Tune up 1 semitones from E2 to F2. — (Note: Tuning up may slightly increase string tension.)
• String 5 (A string): Tune up 3 semitones from A2 to C3. — (Note: Tuning up may increase string tension.)
• String 4 (D string): Tune up 5 semitones from D3 to G3. — (Warning: Tuning up 5 semitones significantly increases string tension. It is strongly advised to consider using a lighter gauge string for this string to prevent potential breakage and neck damage.)
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 7 semitones from G3 to D4. — (Warning: Tuning up 7 semitones (a perfect fifth) significantly increases string tension. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string for this string to avoid breakage and potential damage to your instrument.)
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.