Verbal Analysis: The Sustained Dream

The "Sustained Dream" tuning offers a rich, resonant soundscape, characterized by its open, ethereal quality. It deviates significantly from standard tuning, inviting players to explore unique harmonic possibilities. The original description highlights "lots of major seconds and unisons," which is immediately apparent in its sonic character. The abundance of major second intervals, particularly between the lowest two strings (F2-G2) and the middle strings (G3-A3), contributes to a shimmering, drone-like texture when strummed open. The presence of two Fs (F2 and F4) and two Gs (G2 and G3) across different octaves provides a powerful, full-bodied resonance that truly lives up to its "sustained" moniker. This tuning is ideal for ambient music, fingerstyle compositions seeking unusual voicings, or experimental soundscapes where traditional chord shapes are less of a concern, encouraging a more improvisational and textural approach.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for this tuning are F2, G2, D3, G3, A3, F4 (from low to high).

Intervals Between Adjacent Strings:

• String 6 (F2) to String 5 (G2): Major 2nd (M2)
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A3): Major 2nd (M2)
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (F4): Minor 6th (m6)

Open String Chords and Harmonic Implications:

When strummed open, this tuning presents a complex yet highly consonant chord. The collective notes are F, G, A, D, with F and G repeated across octaves. This forms a strong Fmaj7sus2 chord (F-G-A-D) with an emphasized root (F) and the second (G) and major third (A) over the D. Alternatively, it can be viewed as a Dsus4add9/F. This unique blend of notes skillfully avoids a clear major/minor tonality, lending itself beautifully to modal explorations, particularly D Dorian or G Mixolydian scales due to its inherent intervals.

Chordal Opportunities & Reach:

• The open strings themselves form a rich, resonant Fmaj7sus2 chord, providing an excellent drone or starting point for arpeggiated figures.
• Due to the prevalence of major second intervals (F2-G2, G3-A3), scales and melodic lines can be played across adjacent strings with ease, creating fluid and harmonically dense textures. This structure is particularly conducive to two-note voicings that emphasize these close intervals.
• Standard barre chord shapes will require significant re-learning and adaptation as their intervallic structure will no longer apply. However, the consistent intervals (M2, P5, P4, M2) across certain string groupings offer new geometric possibilities for creating unique and powerful voicings up the neck.
• The octave unisons (G2 on string 5 and G3 on string 3) and double octave unisons (F2 on string 6 and F4 on string 1) allow for powerful, ringing drones and sustained notes that can underpin melodies, enhancing the "sustained" quality of the tuning.

How to Tune

General Advice: This tuning involves significant adjustments to several strings, both up and down. While most movements are within a safe range, tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones might warrant considering a different string gauge for optimal tension and tone. Always tune carefully and gradually.

Specific String Adjustments (from thickest to thinnest):

• String 6 (Low E to F2): Tune up 1 semitone. From standard E2, raise the pitch to F2.
• String 5 (A to G2): Tune down 2 semitones. From standard A2, lower the pitch to G2.
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains at D3.
• String 3 (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains at G3.
• String 2 (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones. From standard B3, lower the pitch to A3.
• String 1 (High E to F4): Tune up 1 semitone. From standard E4, raise the pitch to F4.

String 6: F2 - This is the lowest string, tuned up from standard E. It provides a deep, resonant root for the open chord, anchoring the tuning with a strong F.

String 5: G2 - Tuned down from standard A, this string creates a major second interval with the low F, adding to the tuning's characteristic shimmer and contributing the second (G) to the open chord.

String 4: D3 - Remaining at its standard pitch, this string provides a perfect fifth to the G below it and a perfect fourth to the G above, acting as a crucial harmonic pivot point within the tuning.

String 3: G3 - Also at its standard pitch, this G provides an octave to the G on String 5, reinforcing the G presence and forming another major second with the A above, enhancing the drone quality.

String 2: A3 - Tuned down from standard B, this string completes the G major second interval and provides the major third (A) within the context of the Fmaj7 chord, adding brightness and harmonic depth.

String 1: F4 - The highest string, tuned up from standard E, it provides a high F. This completes the two-octave spread of the F root and adds a sparkling, resonant top end to the open tuning, reinforcing the fundamental F.