Verbal and Technical Analysis: Sung Tongs Tuning

The 'Sung Tongs' tuning, famously associated with Avey Tare of Animal Collective, is a deeply expressive and unique guitar setup that moves far beyond conventional standard tuning. This tuning creates a rich, atmospheric soundscape ideal for experimental and evocative music. It features an intriguing interplay of notes across different octaves, lending itself to drone-like textures and complex arpeggios that would be challenging to achieve in standard EADGBE.

Technically, the open strings are tuned to F#3, B2, B2, F#4, A#4, C#5 (from low to high string). Analyzing these notes reveals a sophisticated harmonic structure. When all open strings are strummed, the tuning forms a B Major 9th (Bmaj9) chord. This extended chord consists of the root (B), fifth (F#), major seventh (A#), and major ninth (C#). Specifically, the tuning provides:

• The root B on strings 5 and 4.
• The perfect fifth F# on strings 6 and 3, with string 6 providing an F#3 and string 3 an F#4, creating an octave resonance.
• The major seventh A# on string 2.
• The major ninth C# on string 1.

Open Chords and Possibilities

The inherent Bmaj9 chord in the open tuning makes it immediately playable for lush, ambient sounds. This tuning encourages melodic exploration and unconventional chord shapes. Simple barres across all strings will naturally create other major 9th chords (e.g., barring at the first fret yields Cmaj9, second fret C#maj9, etc.), offering a wide palette of rich, jazzy or atmospheric sounds. The unique intervallic relationships between strings also make it ideal for drone-based compositions and intricate fingerpicking patterns where the sustained open strings provide a harmonious backdrop.

How to Tune Your Guitar

• String 6 (Low E): To achieve the F3#, tune it Up 2 semitones.
• String 5 (A): To achieve the B2, tune it Up 2 semitones.
• String 4 (D): To achieve the B2, tune it Down 3 semitones. Take care when performing this adjustment.
• String 3 (G): To achieve the F4#, tune it Down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (B): To achieve the A4#, tune it Down 1 semitone.
• String 1 (High E): To achieve the C5#, tune it Down 3 semitones. Take care when performing this adjustment.

Always exercise caution when tuning your guitar, especially when making significant changes to string tension. While none of these individual movements exceed 4 semitones, which would typically suggest a change in string gauge, it's always advisable to tune slowly and carefully to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

String 6 (Low E): F3#

String 5 (A): B2

String 4 (D): B2

String 3 (G): F4#

String 2 (B): A4#

String 1 (High E): C5#