Verbal and Technical Analysis

The 'Bright Acoustic Shred' tuning offers a unique soundscape, combining elements described as a "modified Orkney and Open C mixture." As the original creator notes, this tuning delivers strong, resonant high notes on the outer strings and deeper, driving sounds on the middle strings, ideal for sliding and impactful playing. It's a bold setup, explicitly designed to push the boundaries of an acoustic guitar, with the original creator using 12 gauge steel strings and advising caution and patience when tuning up, or considering lighter gauges.

The tuning's character is less about traditional open major/minor chords and more about an intriguing, slightly dissonant, and very resonant quality. It encourages exploration of unique voicings and open string drones.

Open String Notes and Intervals

The open strings of this tuning are F2, G#3, D#4, G#4, C#5, F4 (from low E string to high E string).

• String 6 (F2): The lowest note, serving as a powerful root.
• String 5 (G#3): An octave higher than a standard G#, providing a strong major second (or minor third enharmonically as Ab) feel above the root F.
• String 4 (D#4): Another high string, offering a major sixth (or minor seventh enharmonically as Eb) above F, giving depth and a sense of extension.
• String 3 (G#4): An octave higher than String 5, creating a strong drone with its lower counterpart and reinforcing the G# element.
• String 2 (C#5): This note stands out, acting as a tritone (or diminished fifth enharmonically as Db) above the root F. This is a key contributor to the tuning's distinct character.
• String 1 (F4): An octave higher than the 6th string, providing a strong top voice and completing the F tonal center.

When played open, the notes F, G#, D#, C# combine. Enharmonically, this can be interpreted as F, Ab, Db, Eb. These notes form an F minor 7 (b5) chord (F Ab Db Eb), also known as an F half-diminished chord! This means that simply strumming the open strings yields a sophisticated, jazzy, or bluesy half-diminished sound, offering a rich harmonic foundation.

Chords and Playability

The presence of F minor 7 (b5) as an open chord makes this tuning particularly expressive for styles leaning towards jazz, blues, or experimental music. The octaves on F (strings 6 and 1) and G# (strings 5 and 3) create natural drone possibilities, allowing for rich, sustained sounds. The relatively wide intervals between the lower strings (F2 to G#3, G#3 to D#4) encourage melodic playing and sliding, especially on the middle strings as noted by the creator. Shapes for minor, diminished, and altered dominant chords will likely feel very natural and accessible across the fretboard.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Bright Acoustic Shred' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps. Please note that several strings are tuned significantly higher than standard, as indicated by the target notes, so proceed with caution, especially on acoustic instruments, and consider the advice for string gauge from the original creator.

• String 6 (Standard Low E): Tune up 1 semitone, resulting in the target note F2.
• String 5 (Standard A): Tune down 1 semitone, resulting in the target note G#3.
• String 4 (Standard D): Tune up 1 semitone, resulting in the target note D#4.
• String 3 (Standard G): Tune up 1 semitone, resulting in the target note G#4.
• String 2 (Standard B): Tune up 2 semitones, resulting in the target note C#5.
• String 1 (Standard High E): Tune up 1 semitone, resulting in the target note F4.

As the original creator mentions, this tuning involves raising some strings quite high. While the individual semitone movements (as per the tuning instructions above) are small, the target octaves for strings 5, 4, 3, and 2 represent a significant increase in tension from standard tuning. If you are concerned about string breakage or neck integrity, particularly on an acoustic guitar, using 12 gauge or higher strings is advised, or alternatively, tuning down a step or two and employing a capo.

String 6: F2

String 5: G#3

String 4: D#4

String 3: G#4

String 2: C#5

String 1: F4