Tuning Analysis: Chinchilla Tunning

The "Chinchilla Tunning" is described as a specific tuning used for a song, hinting at a curious and unique sonic landscape. It deviates from standard tuning in a way that suggests particular harmonic possibilities and an open, resonant quality, providing a distinct voice for musical exploration.

Verbal & Technical Observations

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to F3#, A2, E3, G3, B3, E4 (from the 6th/lowest string to the 1st/highest string). The most striking aspect of this tuning is the unusually high pitch specified for the 6th (lowest) string, F3#. Compared to a standard Low E (E2), F3# is an octave and a minor third higher (14 semitones up). This represents an exceptionally high tension for a typical low E string and would generally necessitate a much lighter gauge string to avoid breakage and potential instrument damage. If F3# is indeed the intended pitch, extreme caution is highly advised.

Analyzing the harmonic structure with the notes F# A E G B E: The lowest true bass note in a practical sense would likely be A2 on the 5th string (given the F3# concern). The tuning features two E notes (on the 4th and 1st strings), and maintains the standard G-B-E interval on the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings, which provides familiarity and a bright, chime-like quality. The relationship between the 5th (A) and 4th (E) strings creates a strong perfect fifth. However, the unique combination of F# on the 6th string, A2, E3, G3, B3, and E4 does not immediately form a common open major or minor chord.

The presence of A, E, G, B, E in the upper five strings suggests an A minor 7th sound (A-C-E-G) with an added B (the 9th), but without the C. With the F# (F3#) included, the open string chord becomes more complex and ambiguous. This creates an open, resonant, perhaps melancholic or ethereal quality, rich with potential for arpeggios, melodic lines, and drone effects. It's a tuning that encourages harmonic discovery rather than relying on conventional shapes.

Chords and Reach

Due to the non-standard intervals, this tuning is less about strumming conventional open chords and more about exploring unique voicings and textures. The maintenance of E, G, B, E on the higher strings provides a basis for E minor or G major tonalities with open string drones. The open A and E offer a strong perfect fifth foundation. Chords that involve the open A, E, G, B, E will possess an extended, possibly jazzy or suspended feel. Experimenting with two or three-finger chord shapes will likely yield interesting results, emphasizing the open strings' resonant qualities. The F# (if achievable at F3#) would provide a sharp, leading bass tone or a dissonant, tension-filled element.

How to Tune

To achieve the Chinchilla Tunning, begin from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning. Follow these instructions carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones. This will change your Low E (E2) to F# (F#2).
  Important Warning: While the tuning instructions advise tuning the low E string up 2 semitones (from E2 to F#2), the specified target note in the tuning definition is F3#. Achieving F3# from E2 would require tuning up 14 semitones (an octave and a minor third), which is an extremely high pitch for a standard low E string. Attempting this is highly likely to cause string breakage and could potentially damage your guitar's neck or bridge due to extreme tension. If F3# is the true target, a significantly lighter gauge string (e.g., a very light high E string) or an instrument specifically designed for such tension would be essential. If you strictly follow the 'Tune up 2 semitones' instruction, your 6th string will be F#2, not F3#.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones. This will change your D (D3) to E (E3).
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.

General Tuning Advisory: Tuning strings up or down by more than 4 semitones from standard pitch can significantly alter string tension beyond safe limits for your instrument. For such radical changes, especially tuning up, it is strongly recommended to use a different gauge string set specifically designed for the desired tuning to prevent string breakage and potential damage to your guitar's structural integrity.

Here are the target notes for the Chinchilla Tunning, from the 6th (lowest) string to the 1st (highest) string:

• 6th String: F3#
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: G3
• 2nd String: B3
• 1st String: E4