The Ascending Lyre Tuning: A Harp-like Open Soundscape

The Ascending Lyre tuning is a highly unique and evocative open tuning for guitar, designed to unlock a world of rich, resonant harmonies reminiscent of a classical lyre or harp. Unlike traditional open tunings that typically form a single chord, this tuning presents a diatonic sequence (G A B C D E) spread across multiple octaves, creating a broad and airy soundscape.

It's particularly suited for fingerstyle arrangements, arpeggios, and modal compositions where open, ringing strings can create a shimmering, ethereal quality. The arrangement of notes allows for surprising harmonic depth and movement, making it inspiring for composers exploring non-standard harmonies or seeking a specific 'ancient' or 'folkloric' texture.

Harmonic Potential & Chords:

While not a single open chord in the conventional sense, the tuning readily facilitates several common triads and allows for unique voicings. You can easily find an open G Major chord (G-B-D on strings 6, 4, and 2 respectively) and a C Major chord (C-E-G on strings 3, 1, and 6 respectively). An A minor chord (A-C-E) is also within easy reach using strings 5, 3, and 1. This versatility makes it surprisingly adaptable for pieces in G Major, C Major, or A Minor keys, offering unique voicings not possible in standard tuning. The wide spread of notes, from a deep G2 to a bright E4, ensures a full and resonant sound.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for the Ascending Lyre tuning are, from lowest to highest string:

• String 6: G2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: C4
• String 2: D4
• String 1: E4

This configuration reveals a melodic ascent across the strings, spanning a full two octaves and a major third (from G2 to E4). The intervals between adjacent open strings are as follows:

• String 6 (G2) to String 5 (A2): Major Second (2 semitones)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (B2): Major Second (2 semitones)
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (C4): Compound Minor Second / Minor Ninth (13 semitones – a minor second plus an octave). This significant jump is a defining characteristic of the tuning.
• String 3 (C4) to String 2 (D4): Major Second (2 semitones)
• String 2 (D4) to String 1 (E4): Major Second (2 semitones)

This wide intervallic structure, particularly the significant leap between the 4th and 3rd strings, creates a unique harmonic landscape, separating the deeper bass notes (G, A, B) from the higher, more melodic notes (C, D, E).

Open String Notes:

• String 6: G2 (The lowest string)
• String 5: A2
• String 4: B2
• String 3: C4
• String 2: D4
• String 1: E4 (The highest string)

How to Tune from Standard E Standard Tuning:

Follow these instructions carefully to achieve the Ascending Lyre tuning from standard E Standard tuning. When tuning up or down more than 4 semitones from standard, it is generally recommended to consider using a different gauge string to ensure proper string tension and avoid breakage or potential damage to your instrument. Pay particular attention to the warnings for specific strings.

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune up 3 semitones from E2 to G2. (Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a notable change; proceed carefully and check string tension.)
• String 5 (A string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A2 to A2.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2. (Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones is a notable change; proceed carefully and check string tension.)
• String 3 (G string): Tune up 5 semitones from G3 to C4. WARNING: This is a significant jump! Tuning up 5 semitones to reach C4 from G3 may put extreme tension on a standard G string and risks breakage or damage to your instrument. It is strongly advised to use a lighter gauge string (e.g., from a high-E or B string set) for this position to prevent issues and maintain proper string tension.
• String 2 (B string): Tune up 3 semitones from B3 to D4. (Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a notable change; proceed carefully and check string tension.)
• String 1 (High E string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4 to E4.