Verbal Analysis

The 'Mote Tuning', popularized by Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth for their song 'Mote', is a truly distinctive and experimental guitar tuning. It immediately strikes one with its profound sonic landscape, built on layers of unison notes and unique intervals. The most prominent feature is the powerful, almost orchestral, drone created by the two lowest strings both tuned to F2, and another thick drone from the middle strings both tuned to D3. This creates a deep, resonant foundation that hints at an F-D tonality. The upper strings, tuned to G3 and G4 (an octave apart), introduce a bright, ringing quality that can either clash with or complement the lower drones, depending on how they are played. This tuning is not designed for conventional chord shapes; instead, it encourages open-string textures, dissonant voicings, and a percussive, percussive approach, characteristic of Sonic Youth's experimental style. It provides a vast, open sound canvas, perfect for intricate arpeggios, sustained notes, and unusual harmonic explorations.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to F2 F2 D3 D3 G3 G4 (from the lowest string to the highest). Let's break down the intervals:

• String 6 (F2) to String 5 (F2): Unison. This creates an incredibly thick and resonant low end.
• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (D3): Major 6th (10 semitones). A wide, open interval that contributes to the tuning's airy quality.
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (D3): Unison. Another powerful drone point, mirroring the lowest strings.
• String 3 (D3) to String 2 (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones). A common and stable interval.
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (G4): Octave. Provides a bright, ringing top end that perfectly complements the lower G.

When strumming all open strings, the resulting harmony is complex, built around F, D, and G. It suggests an Fmaj6add9 voicing, with the D and G adding color and tension over the F root, enhanced by the strong unison drones. Accessible chord shapes will likely involve droning the open strings while fretting single notes or simple intervals on others. For example:

• Droning Fs and Ds: Simply strumming the lowest four strings (F2 F2 D3 D3) creates a powerful, open F-D interval.
• Upper G voicing: Playing just the top two strings (G3 G4) offers a clear G octave. Adding the D3 from the 3rd or 4th string creates a clear G major triad (G-D-G).
• Open "F-ish" chords: By muting the G strings, and focusing on the F2 F2 D3 D3, simple voicings on the higher strings can create interesting suspended or extended chords over this F-D foundation.
• A simple barre across a higher fret could yield unique clusters due to the open string intervals, often leading to resonant dissonances or surprising harmonies rather than traditional major/minor shapes.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Mote Tuning' from standard EADGBe tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones from A2 to F2. This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal tension.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) at D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G3 to D3. This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for playability and to prevent floppiness.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B3 to G3. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string might be beneficial.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 3 semitones from E4 to G4. This is a considerable increase in tension. Using a lighter gauge string is recommended to prevent string breakage and ensure comfortable playability.

Important Note: For string movements exceeding negative 4 or positive 4 semitones, it is generally recommended to use a different gauge string. Tuning down excessively can lead to a very loose, floppy feel, while tuning up too much can cause strings to break or put undue stress on your instrument's neck. Always exercise caution when making significant tuning adjustments.