Tuning Analysis: Ben Bridge -1

The "Ben Bridge -1" tuning presents a highly unconventional and experimental landscape for the guitar. Its open string configuration defies traditional harmonic expectations, offering a rich canvas for unique textures and dissonant voicings. The original description, "wahh wa12:18hh 12:1812:1812:18," aptly hints at its abstract and possibly atonal character, suggesting a tuning intended for avant-garde exploration rather than conventional chord progressions.

Technical Breakdown:

• From the lowest string to the highest, the notes are F#3, G#3, C#4, F3, C4, D#5. This arrangement features a significant spread across the neck, with notes moving both up and down in register compared to standard tuning.
• The interval from the 6th string (F#3) to the 5th string (G#3) is a Major 2nd (whole step), creating an immediate tension or brightness at the lower end.
• The transition from the 5th string (G#3) to the 4th string (C#4) is a Perfect 4th, a familiar and stable interval.
• A notable feature is the drop from the 4th string (C#4) to the 3rd string (F3). This backward jump in pitch creates interesting intervallic relationships, a major 6th descending or a minor 3rd ascending from F3 to C#4.
• The 3rd string (F3) to the 2nd string (C4) forms a strong Perfect 5th, a fundamental interval that can provide a grounding resonance or power chord-like structure amidst the dissonance.
• Finally, the 2nd string (C4) to the 1st string (D#5) spans a compound Minor 3rd (a minor third plus an octave), creating a very wide and open, almost bell-like quality.

Open Chords and Possibilities:

Due to the unconventional nature of this tuning, traditional open major or minor chords are not readily available. Instead, the "Ben Bridge -1" tuning invites exploration of:

• Dissonant Clusters: The open strings themselves can form intriguing, modern-sounding clusters, particularly the F#3, G#3, C#4, and F3. For instance, the combination of F#3, G#3, C#4 offers a unique suspended sound.
• Open Fifths and Fourths: The Perfect 5th between F3 and C4 (strings 3 & 2) and the Perfect 4th between G#3 and C#4 (strings 5 & 4) can be used as resonant drone points or foundations for minimalist harmonies.
• Extended Voicings: By fretting just a few notes, players can quickly arrive at complex, jazz-inflected or ambient voicings that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning. For example, playing F3-C4-C#4 (strings 3, 2, 4) could form an Fsus2add#11 type of sound.
• Melodic Opportunities: The distinct intervals between strings suggest a focus on linear melodic passages and arpeggios that highlight the unique character of each interval. The wide leap to D#5 on the first string allows for bright, soaring melodic lines.

This tuning is best suited for adventurous guitarists seeking to break free from conventional harmony, experiment with soundscapes, and discover new expressive possibilities on their instrument.

Your guitar strings are tuned as follows:

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): F#3
• String 5 (A Equivalent): G#3
• String 4 (D Equivalent): C#4
• String 3 (G Equivalent): F3
• String 2 (B Equivalent): C4
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): D#5

How to Tune:

To achieve the "Ben Bridge -1" tuning from standard E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-e), follow these specific string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E to F#3. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 1 semitones from A to G#3. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 1 semitones from D to C#4. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G to F3. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitones from B to C4. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitones from high E to D#5. This adjustment is within a safe range for standard string gauges.

Always tune carefully, especially when adjusting pitch, and ensure your strings are in good condition. For larger tunings (exceeding 4 semitones up or down), a different string gauge is generally recommended to maintain proper tension and avoid string breakage or neck damage.