Tuning Analysis: Twinkill Little Star

This is a truly distinctive and innovative tuning for the Guitar, named "Twinkill Little Star." As its name suggests, it creates a wonderfully 'twinkly' and resonant sonic landscape, making it ideal for fingerstyle playing, ambient soundscapes, or compositions that benefit from rich, open string voicings. The designer also notes its versatility with a capo, suggesting creative possibilities when placed at frets 11, 6, or 4, further enhancing its shimmering character.

Technical Analysis

The open tuning notes for the standard 6-string guitar, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st) string, are:

• String 6: G2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B2
• String 1: E4

A notable feature of this tuning is its re-entrant nature. Observe that the 2nd string (B2) is tuned lower than both the 3rd string (G3) and the 4th string (E3). This creates unexpected interval relationships and can lead to unique melodic and harmonic possibilities, often found in instruments like the ukulele or banjo, but less common on guitar, offering a fresh approach to voicings.

When all six strings are played open, the combined notes are G, A, E, G, B, E. This rich cluster of notes strongly implies an E minor (add11) chord. The core E minor triad (E, G, B) is clearly present across strings 4 (E3), 3 (G3), and 2 (B2), and is reinforced by the high E (E4) on the 1st string. The addition of A (A2) functions as the 11th, adding a lush, suspended quality, while the low G (G2) provides a deep foundation, suggesting potential for both E minor and G major-related harmonic contexts. This makes for a full, resonant open chord that can be quite inspiring for songwriting.

Due to the re-entrant B2 string and the clustered nature of the notes, various open and fretted chords can become easily accessible. Simple fingerings across the middle strings (2, 3, 4) will readily yield E minor inversions or extended voicings. The intervals, such as the major 2nd between G2 and A2, and the perfect 5th between A2 and E3, suggest an open, ringing quality perfect for arpeggiated patterns.

Tuning Notes & How to Tune

Here are the target notes for each string and instructions on how to adjust your guitar from standard E Standard tuning. Please exercise caution when adjusting string tension.

Open String Notes:

• 6th String (Low E): G2
• 5th String (A): A2
• 4th String (D): E3
• 3rd String (G): G3
• 2nd String (B): B2
• 1st String (High E): E4

How to Tune from Standard E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E):

Follow these steps carefully to achieve the "Twinkill Little Star" tuning:

• 6th String (Low E to G2): Tune this string up 3 semitones from E2 to G2.
• 5th String (A to A2): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains A2.
• 4th String (D to E3): Tune this string up 2 semitones from D3 to E3.
• 3rd String (G to G3): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B to B2): Tune this string down 12 semitones from B3 to B2. WARNING: Tuning down a full octave (12 semitones) is a very significant change. This will dramatically reduce string tension and may require a much heavier gauge string to maintain playability and intonation. As this movement exceeds 4 semitones down, considering a different gauge string is strongly advised.
• 1st String (High E to E4): Keep this string as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains E4.