The "Look A Ghost" tuning for Guitar is, as its name and origin suggest, a uniquely unsettling arrangement of notes. Known for its use by the post-hardcore band Unwound in their song "Look A Ghost," this tuning steers away from conventional harmonies to create a distinct, often dissonant, and atmospheric sound palette.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F#3 A2 E3 G3 A3 D4 (low to high). This combination of notes — A, D, E, F#, G — doesn't immediately form a simple major or minor chord, contributing to its unique character. When arranged by pitch (A2, E3, F#3, G3, A3, D4), the tuning contains several interesting intervals:

• A perfect 4th between the 5th string (A) and 1st string (D).
• A perfect 5th between the 5th string (A) and 4th string (E).
• A minor 7th between the 5th string (A) and 3rd string (G).
• A major 6th between the 5th string (A) and 6th string (F#).
• A minor 3rd between the 4th string (E) and 3rd string (G).
• A major 2nd between the 3rd string (G) and 2nd string (A).
• Notably, the combination of F# (6th string) and G (3rd string) creates a dissonant half-step interval when played together in certain inversions, contributing to the "unsettling" quality. The presence of A, D, E, F#, G also strongly suggests elements of an A Dorian mode (A-B-C-D-E-F#-G), which inherently carries a slightly melancholic or dark, yet expressive, quality.

Chordal Opportunities

While a full open strum can yield a rich, complex sound rather than a conventional chord, certain combinations present clear harmonic possibilities:

• A D major triad can be easily formed using the 6th (F#), 2nd (A), and 1st (D) strings.
• An A power chord (A-E-A) is readily available on the 5th (A), 4th (E), and 2nd (A) strings, providing a strong tonal center.
• The proximity of G3 and A3 on the 3rd and 2nd strings allows for easy drone notes and suspensions, creating tension and release.
• This tuning is particularly suited for modal explorations and arpeggiated figures that highlight its unique intervals, rather than relying on standard chord shapes.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Look A Ghost" tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E A D G B E), follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E to F#.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) - remains A.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D to E.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) - remains G.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E to D.

All string movements are within 4 semitones, so your current string gauge should be suitable for this tuning. However, always exercise caution when tuning strings up, especially if your guitar has a Floyd Rose bridge or similar tremolo system, as it may require additional setup.

6th String: F#3

5th String: A2

4th String: E3

3rd String: G3

2nd String: A3

1st String: D4