Tuning Analysis: Brand New Tuning

This custom Guitar tuning, aptly named "Brand New Tuning," offers a unique sonic landscape, diverging significantly from standard EADGBe. The creator described it as a tuning that "May come in handy sometime," and indeed, its open string configuration reveals a rich harmonic possibility.

Verbal and Technical Observations

The open string notes are F2 G2 C3 A3 C4 E4. This immediately stands out as a departure from typical fourths and thirds, creating a distinctive sound profile. When strummed open, these notes remarkably form an Fmaj9 chord (F A C E G, with the G as a ninth and the C as a fifth). This means that the tuning provides a full, resonant, and jazzy major nine chord with just open strings, making it incredibly versatile for songwriting in the key of F major or its relatives.

Breaking down the intervals, we observe a whole step from F2 to G2, followed by a perfect fourth from G2 to C3. The jump from C3 to A3 is a wide major sixth, creating an interesting melodic and harmonic stretch. This is then followed by a minor third from A3 to C4, and finally a major third from C4 to E4. The presence of two C notes (C3 and C4) and the E4, alongside A3, creates a strong C major or A minor tonal center within the higher strings, further enriched by the F and G in the bass.

Chordal Implications and Reachable Chords

• Open Fmaj9: As noted, the most striking feature is the open Fmaj9 chord. This provides an immediate lush sound for arpeggios, fingerstyle, or full strumming, perfect for warm, expansive musical ideas.
• F Family Chords: Given the Fmaj9 foundation, various F chords like F major, Fmaj7, Fsus2, and Fsus4 will be readily accessible with minimal fretting, often requiring only one or two fingers.
• C Major / A Minor Tonalities: The upper strings (C3 A3 C4 E4) strongly imply C major or A minor. Chords such as C major, Am, C6, and Am7 can be easily voiced using these strings, providing a contrasting or complementary harmonic palette to the F bass. For example, playing the top four strings (C3 A3 C4 E4) gives you an Am7 (A C E), or a C6 (C E A).
• Drone Capabilities: The multiple C notes and the open F and G provide excellent opportunities for drone notes, creating rich textures and atmospheric soundscapes.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Brand New Tuning" from standard EADGBe, follow these string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitones to F2. This is a minor adjustment and should be safe for your string.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2. This is a minor adjustment and should be safe for your string.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3. This is a minor adjustment and should be safe for your string.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 2 semitones to A3. This is a minor adjustment and should be safe for your string.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitones to C4. This is a minor adjustment and should be safe for your string.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains at E4.

Note: All described movements are within safe limits for standard guitar strings, generally less than 4 semitones up or down. For more extreme tunings (exceeding 4 semitones in either direction), a different string gauge is typically advised for optimal playability and string longevity.