The 'Schizophrenia' tuning is a highly unconventional and experimental guitar tuning, famously used by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth on tracks like "Schizophrenia," "Tom Violence," "White Cross," and "Drunken Butterfly." It completely redefines the guitar's sonic landscape, moving far beyond standard harmonic conventions to create dense, often dissonant, and textured soundscapes.

Technical Analysis:

• The tuning consists of the notes: F#3, F#3, G3, G3, A3, A3 (from low E to high E string).
• A striking feature is the presence of three sets of unison strings: the 6th and 5th strings are both tuned to F#3, the 4th and 3rd strings to G3, and the 2nd and 1st strings to A3.
• The intervals between these unison pairs are a minor second (F# to G) and a major second (G to A). This creates an extremely tight, cluster-like harmony when strummed open.
• Compared to standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), this tuning drastically compresses the guitar's range. The lowest note (F#3) is significantly higher than a standard low E2, and the highest note (A3) is considerably lower than a standard high E4. This compression results in a thicker, more mid-range focused sound, reducing the brightness typically associated with higher strings.
• The overall sonic character is one of sustained drone and complex overtones, rather than clear, open chords.

Verbal Analysis & Chords:

This tuning is a playground for sonic exploration rather than traditional chord voicings. Strumming all open strings yields a dense, dissonant cluster of F#3, G3, and A3, characteristic of noise-rock and avant-garde music. This isn't a chord in the conventional sense, but a powerful, resonant sonic texture designed to be the foundation for experimental melodies and feedback.

Due to the unison pairs, playing power chords becomes incredibly thick and impactful. By fretting any two adjacent unison strings at the same fret (e.g., 6th and 5th strings), you can create an incredibly resonant, sustained note or interval. This also lends itself well to drone techniques, where certain strings are left open to hum while others are manipulated.

Traditional chord shapes are rendered largely unusable, forcing the player to discover new, unique voicings and approaches. The close proximity of notes (F#-G-A) across the strings means that even fretting a single fret across multiple strings can produce powerful, dense clusters. This tuning encourages a highly experimental and intuitive approach, rewarding players who are willing to abandon conventional guitar techniques.

As noted in the original description, the significant tension change on the 4th string (D string tuned up to G) means a heavier gauge string (like a .022 or .020) is recommended to prevent snapping. This also applies to the 1st string, which is tuned down significantly, potentially becoming very slack if not a lighter gauge.

How to Tune to Schizophrenia:

When tuning, always proceed with caution, especially with significant pitch changes. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge may be advisable to ensure string integrity and optimal playability. Standard guitar tuning is E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4 (from low E to high E string).

• String 6 (Low E): From standard E2, tune up 2 semitones to F#3.
• String 5 (A): From standard A2, tune down 3 semitones to F#3.
• String 4 (D): From standard D3, tune up 5 semitones to G3. This is a significant upward movement. It is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string (e.g., .022 or .020) for this string to prevent snapping.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remains G3.
• String 2 (B): From standard B3, tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): From standard E4, tune down 7 semitones to A3. This is a significant downward movement and may result in considerable string slack if not using a lighter gauge.