Description of Subsonic Eye Sorry Tuning

This unique tuning is specifically designed for playing "Sorry" by Subsonic Eye, offering a distinctive sonic landscape that contributes to the song's signature sound. It breaks away from conventional linear tunings, creating rich harmonic possibilities and challenging traditional chord shapes.

Verbal Analysis

The "Subsonic Eye Sorry" tuning immediately stands out with its non-linear arrangement, where the 5th string is tuned significantly lower than the 6th. This creates an open, resonant quality, often associated with dreamy, indie rock, or shoegaze genres. The combination of both major and minor thirds relative to the prominent B note (B, D, D#, F#) in the open strings hints at a harmonically ambiguous and emotionally complex sound. This allows for rich, sustained chords that can evoke both melancholy and brightness, perfect for textural playing and atmospheric soundscapes. The unusual intervals make for unique fingerings and voicings that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning, inviting exploration of new melodic and harmonic ideas.

Technical Analysis

• Open String Notes: From thickest (String 6) to thinnest (String 1), the tuning is F#3, B2, D#4, F#4, B3, D4.
• Non-Linear Structure: A key feature is the 5th string (B2) being tuned a perfect 5th *below* the 6th string (F#3). This creates a wide, open interval at the bass end, providing a deep, resonant foundation unlike standard guitar tunings.
• Harmonic Content: The open strings collectively contain the notes B, D, D#, and F#. This combination uniquely presents both a minor third (D) and a major third (D#) alongside the root (B) and perfect fifth (F#) in relation to B. This harmonic complexity can lead to interesting musical tension and release.
• Open Chord Voicings:
  • An open B minor chord (B, D, F#) is readily available using String 5 (B2), String 1 (D4), and either String 6 (F#3) or String 3 (F#4).
  • An open B major chord (B, D#, F#) is also within reach using String 5 (B2), String 4 (D#4), and either String 6 (F#3) or String 3 (F#4).
  • Simultaneously strumming all open strings would yield a complex, dissonant yet rich cluster (B2, F#3, B3, D4, D#4, F#4) that defies simple major/minor categorization, suggesting an advanced harmonic palette for specific musical passages.
• Intervals between adjacent strings (from thickest to thinnest):
  • String 6 (F#3) to String 5 (B2): Perfect 5th Down (7 semitones down)
  • String 5 (B2) to String 4 (D#4): Octave + Major 3rd Up (15 semitones up)
  • String 4 (D#4) to String 3 (F#4): Minor 3rd Up (3 semitones up)
  • String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B3): Perfect 4th Down (5 semitones down)
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D4): Minor 3rd Up (3 semitones up)
• Playability: The highly irregular intervals necessitate a fresh approach to chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios. The wide interval between strings 5 and 4, and the downward interval between strings 6 and 5, will require different finger placements and open up new melodic and harmonic patterns not typically found in standard tunings.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Subsonic Eye Sorry" tuning, start from standard EADGBe tuning and adjust each string as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone to D#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning a string up or down by more than 4 semitones (four half-steps), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal tension, playability, and to prevent string breakage. All movements in this tuning are within 2 semitones up or down from standard, making it generally safe for standard gauge strings. However, always exercise caution, listen to your guitar, and be mindful of string tension.