The Open E6/9 Tuning: A Jazzy Exploration

Born out of creative experimentation, the "Open E6/9" tuning transforms your guitar into a rich, sophisticated sonic palette. As its name suggests, when strummed open, your guitar will beautifully resonate a full E6/9 chord. This particular voicing was conceived in a moment of boredom, proving that sometimes the best musical discoveries happen when you're simply exploring the fretboard.

Verbal Analysis: The Soundscape

Imagine an open E chord, but with an added layer of smooth jazz and blues sophistication. That's the essence of Open E6/9. The open strings create a lush, full-bodied chord that is simultaneously bright and mellow. The higher G# (on the 3rd string) and the B (on the 2nd string) sing out, while the lower F# (9th) and C# (6th) strings provide a deep, resonant foundation. This tuning is ideal for genres like jazz, blues, funk, or even modern pop where unique harmonic textures are desired. It encourages a melodic approach, allowing you to easily weave in melodies that inherently fit the E6/9 harmony.

Technical Analysis: The Chordal Blueprint

The open string notes are specifically tuned to form an E6/9 chord, comprised of the following intervals relative to E:

• F# (Major 9th): Adds a delightful tension and jazzy extension.
• G# (Major 3rd): Defines the major quality of the chord.
• B (Perfect 5th): Provides harmonic stability.
• C# (Major 6th): Contributes to the smooth, rich character of the chord.
• E (Root): The tonal center.

Chordal Possibilities: Beyond the Open Strings

Due to its open E6/9 nature, this tuning naturally lends itself to:

• Easy Barre Chords: By simply barring all strings across any fret, you can effortlessly shift the E6/9 chord up the neck. For example, a barre at the 1st fret yields an F6/9, at the 2nd fret an F#6/9, and so on. This makes transposing chord progressions in this specific voicing incredibly straightforward.
• Unique Voicings: Many standard chord shapes will be re-imagined. A two-finger shape might now create a sophisticated jazz chord. Experimentation is key to discovering new voicings that are unique to this tuning. For instance, fretting just the lower strings while letting the higher strings ring open can create interesting drone-like effects or pedal tones.
• Melodic Opportunities: The inherent harmony makes it easy to construct melodies using the open strings as a foundation, creating a rich harmonic backdrop for lead lines or fingerstyle arrangements.

How to Tune: From Standard EADGBe

To achieve the Open E6/9 tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E, follow these specific string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): From its standard E note, tune up 2 semitones to reach F#3.
• 5th String (A): From its standard A note, tune down 1 semitone to reach G#3.
• 4th String (D): From its standard D note, tune down 1 semitone to reach C#4.
• 3rd String (G): From its standard G note, tune up 1 semitone to reach G#4.
• 2nd String (B): This string remains at its standard B note, requiring no change (0 semitones) to remain at B3.
• 1st String (High E): This string remains at its standard E note, requiring no change (0 semitones) to remain at E4.

Note on String Gauges: All string adjustments are within a range that is generally safe for standard string gauges. No extreme tension changes are required for this tuning.