Verbal Analysis: Open G 7sus2 (Inspired by this town needs guns - chinchilla)

The Open G 7sus2 tuning, famously used by the band "this town needs guns" in their song "chinchilla", offers a rich, resonant soundscape that immediately sets a unique mood. At its core, this tuning creates a powerful G7sus2 chord (G-A-D-F) when played open across most strings. The lowest string (F2) adds an interesting root or a minor seventh element, contributing to a full, sometimes melancholic or atmospheric sound that is characteristic of the math-rock genre.

Verbally, this tuning feels expansive and harmonically complex. The presence of the suspended 2nd (A) instead of a major or minor 3rd gives it an open, floating quality, while the minor 7th (F) adds a bluesy or jazzy tension, ready to resolve or wander. Strumming all open strings yields a full G7sus2 chord, providing a strong harmonic foundation. Alternatively, if the lowest F string is considered the root, the notes F, G, A, D form a lush Fadd9 (F-A-C-G, with D as the 6th/13th, creating an F6/9 or Fmaj9sus2) chord. This versatility makes it ideal for intricate fingerstyle, arpeggiated melodies, and chordal voicings that would be challenging in standard tuning. The open strings are already harmonically dense, inviting exploration of drone-like textures and easy one-finger bar chords across the higher strings to form different inversions or related chords.

Technical Analysis: Open G 7sus2

This tuning transforms the standard EADGBe into F2 G2 D3 F3 A3 D4 (low to high). Let's break down the intervals between adjacent strings:

• 6th String (F2) to 5th String (G2): Major 2nd (whole step)
• 5th String (G2) to 4th String (D3): Perfect 5th
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (F3): Minor 3rd
• 3rd String (F3) to 2nd String (A3): Major 3rd
• 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (D4): Perfect 4th

The complete set of open notes (F2, G2, D3, F3, A3, D4) contains the unique pitches G, A, D, and F. This collection inherently forms a G7sus2 chord (G-A-D-F) with doubled G, D, and F notes, creating a full and resonant open voicing. If we consider the lowest F as the root, the notes F, G, A, D can be interpreted as an Fadd9 (F-A-C-G, where D functions as a 6th or 13th, suggesting an F6/9 or Fmaj9sus2). The presence of the perfect 5th (G2-D3), minor 3rd (D3-F3), and major 3rd (F3-A3) within the mid-range strings creates rich harmonic clusters. The Perfect 4th (A3-D4) on the highest strings is very common in guitar and allows for familiar melodic patterns. The string movements from standard tuning are generally moderate. Most strings are tuned down 2 semitones, while the lowest string is tuned up 1 semitone, and one string remains unchanged. These adjustments are within safe limits for standard guitar string gauges, ensuring good playability and intonation without requiring a change in string thickness.

Tuning Details and How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Open G 7sus2 tuning, follow these precise adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please note the specific semitone movements for each string. Generally, tuning up or down more than 4 semitones (four half-steps) may require a different string gauge to maintain optimal tension and avoid string breakage or excessive floppiness.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from E2 to F2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.