Verbal Analysis:

This tuning, which we've named Open Gadd9 Tuning, offers a rich and harmonically complex sound when strummed open. Building on the foundation of a traditional Open G tuning, it incorporates an added 'A' note, which is the 9th (or 2nd) of the G major chord. This addition lends a beautiful, shimmering quality to the sound, making it feel both full and airy. It's less common than a pure Open G, providing a fresh sonic landscape for exploration. It evokes a feeling of spaciousness and introspection, making it suitable for genres like folk, acoustic rock, country, and even blues where a more sophisticated open chord voicing is desired. The tuning encourages lyrical melodies and resonant accompaniments, with the open strings themselves forming a complete chord.

Technical Analysis:

The Open Gadd9 Tuning transforms your guitar into an instrument perfectly voiced for a G-add9 chord (G-B-D with an added A). The open string notes are G2-A2-D3-G3-B3-D4. Let's break down its structure:

• Root and Octaves: The G root is present on the 6th (G2) and 3rd (G3) strings, providing a strong tonal center.
• Major Third: The B3 on the 2nd string establishes the major quality of the chord.
• Perfect Fifth: The D notes appear on the 4th (D3) and 1st (D4) strings, completing the core G major triad.
• Added Ninth (Major Second): The unique characteristic of this tuning is the A2 on the 5th string. This A note is the major 9th (or major 2nd) of G, giving the tuning its distinctive Gadd9 voicing.

This arrangement means that simply strumming all open strings produces a full and resonant Gadd9 chord. Beyond the open chord, this tuning facilitates easy chord shapes:

• Barre Chords: By barring all six strings at any fret, you instantly create a major add9 chord corresponding to that fret's root note (e.g., barring the 5th fret yields a Cadd9 chord).
• Voicings: Experimenting with partial barring or selective string strumming can yield interesting results. For instance, avoiding the 5th string (A) would give you a G major chord (G D G B D).
• Slide Guitar: The open, chordal nature of this tuning makes it exceptionally well-suited for slide guitar, allowing for smooth, melodic glides over the resonant G-add9 harmony.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Open Gadd9 Tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, follow these precise adjustments for each string:

• String 6 (Low E to G2): Tune up 3 semitones. (Note: Tuning up 3 semitones requires careful attention to string tension. While generally manageable, for prolonged use, considering a slightly heavier gauge string is advisable to maintain optimal tension and tone stability.)
• String 5 (A to A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G to G3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B to B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E to D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

Always tune slowly and check your intonation after changing tunings significantly to ensure your instrument plays in tune across the fretboard.

String 6: G2
String 5: A2
String 4: D3
String 3: G3
String 2: B3
String 1: D4