Verbal Analysis:

This tuning, affectionately named "Open Bmaj," was born from experimentation with random string adjustments, aiming for a sound well-suited for the dynamic and often intricate style of Midwest Emo. It creates a rich, full B Major chord when played open, offering a bright and resonant foundation. The arrangement of notes, particularly the F# in the bass, gives it a unique character, providing a sturdy base while allowing for shimmering trebles. It's designed to inspire melodic exploration and intricate fingerpicking, typical of the genre it aims to serve.

Technical Analysis:

The tuning sets your guitar to the following notes, from lowest to highest string: F#3 - B2 - D#4 - F#4 - B3 - D#5. When all strings are played open, they form an Open B Major chord. The constituent notes of a B Major chord are B, D#, and F#. This tuning features these notes across all strings: B (root), D# (major third), and F# (perfect fifth), with a strong emphasis on the root and fifth. The lowest string being F# gives it a B Major chord with the fifth in the bass (F#/B).

The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly interesting, creating a unique harmonic landscape:

• String 6 (F#3) to String 5 (B2): A descending Perfect Fifth. This wide interval places the second string significantly lower than the first, contributing to an open, expansive sound in the lower register.
• String 5 (B2) to String 4 (D#4): A Compound Major Third (Major Tenth). This substantial leap creates considerable melodic space.
• String 4 (D#4) to String 3 (F#4): A Minor Third. This provides a more conventional harmonic step within the chord.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (B3): Another descending Perfect Fifth. This mirrors the lowest string interval, adding a consistent open quality to the middle strings.
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (D#5): A Compound Major Third (Major Tenth). Similar to the interval between strings 5 and 4, this large gap opens up the higher register for ringing melodies.

This specific arrangement of wide, open, and descending intervals, combined with the solid B Major foundation, makes the tuning ideal for intricate arpeggios, melodic leads, and rich, resonant chord voicings characteristic of Midwest Emo, allowing for both shimmering highs and a grounded, deep sound.

Chords and Playability:

The most immediate benefit is the open B Major chord, which rings out with clarity and fullness. Due to its open major structure, barre chords become incredibly straightforward: simply barring all strings at any fret will produce another major chord (e.g., barre at the 1st fret for a C Major, 2nd fret for C# Major, etc.). This simplifies rhythm playing significantly. Additionally, the unique intervals suggest ease in:

• Creating drone notes with the open B and F# strings.
• Developing fingerstyle patterns that utilize the open strings for a harmonically rich backdrop.
• Exploring melodic lines that naturally fall into the B Major scale, especially those involving the B and F# notes.
• The widely spaced intervals between strings like B2-D#4 and F#4-B3 (descending) can lead to interesting arpeggiated figures and open voicings perfect for the emotive, often complex chord progressions found in Midwest Emo.

How to Tune:

Achieving this tuning requires careful adjustment of several strings from standard EADGBe tuning. Here's a string-by-string breakdown from thickest to thinnest:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard E2 to reach F#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard A2 to reach B2.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone from its standard D3 to reach D#4.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard G3 to reach F#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains at B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone from its standard E4 to reach D#5.

String Gauge Recommendation:

For this tuning, all string movements described (no more than 2 semitones up or 1 semitone down as per the instructions) are within a reasonable range. Therefore, your standard guitar string gauge should be suitable, and a change to a different gauge is not explicitly advised for these adjustments. Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage.

String 6: F#3

String 5: B2

String 4: D#4

String 3: F#4

String 2: B3

String 1: D#5