Tuning Analysis: ichikA TUNING wawawawawa

This unique guitar tuning, named "ichikA TUNING wawawawawa" and reportedly derived from an Ichika Nito tab video, presents a distinctive and complex sonic landscape. It is designed for a 5-string setup (implying that a typical 6-string guitar's lowest string, often E2, is not used or present in this specific tuning configuration), offering a range of unconventional voicings.

Verbal Analysis

The open strings of this tuning (F2, D#4, G3, G#4, D#5) create a rich and potentially dissonant cluster of notes. The presence of G3 and G#4 on adjacent strings 3 and 2 forms a striking minor second interval, which will produce a characteristically tense or 'crunchy' sound when strummed together, a hallmark of modern progressive and experimental guitar work. The wide interval between String 5 (F2) and String 4 (D#4) – a compound major 6th – creates a large textural separation. Conversely, the D#4 on String 4 and D#5 on String 1 are an octave apart, providing a sense of harmonic anchor or unity across the higher strings. This tuning seems less geared towards traditional open chord strumming and more towards intricate arpeggios, melodic lines, and textural soundscapes, typical of Ichika Nito's innovative style. It likely facilitates unique fingerings for scales and chord voicings that would be impossible or impractical in standard tuning.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this Guitar is as follows, from lowest to highest string (String 5 to String 1):

• String 5: F2
• String 4: D#4
• String 3: G3
• String 2: G#4
• String 1: D#5

Analyzing the intervals between adjacent strings:

• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (D#4): A significant jump of 22 semitones (Compound Major 6th). This is a very wide interval, creating a distinct sonic separation between the bass and higher registers.
• String 4 (D#4) to String 3 (G3): A descent of 6 semitones (Diminished 5th / Tritone down). This unusual downward interval between adjacent strings contributes heavily to the tuning's unique feel.
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (G#4): An ascent of 13 semitones (Octave and minor 2nd). This tight, dissonant interval is a defining characteristic of the tuning.
• String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (D#5): An ascent of 6 semitones (Augmented 4th / Tritone up). Another tritone, further adding to the tension and unique harmonic possibilities.

The overall harmonic content from open strings F2, D#4, G3, G#4, D#5 does not readily form a conventional major or minor chord, leaning more towards a suspended, augmented, or dissonant quality. The open notes effectively create a F-G-G#-D# structure, which could be explored for modal or atonal compositions.

How to Tune

To achieve the "ichikA TUNING wawawawawa" on your guitar, follow these specific string adjustments:

• String 5: Tune up 1 semitone to reach F2. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 4: Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to maintain G3.
• String 2: Tune down 3 semitones to reach G#4. This is a moderate adjustment.
• String 1: Tune down 1 semitone to reach D#5. This is a minor adjustment.

All string movements in this tuning are within a safe range of -4 to +4 semitones. No special string gauges are typically required for these adjustments, but always exercise caution when tuning, especially when moving strings up in pitch.

String 5: Tuned to F2
String 4: Tuned to D#4
String 3: Tuned to G3
String 2: Tuned to G#4
String 1: Tuned to D#5