"Slide Chord Harmony" Tuning Analysis

Verbal Analysis

This unique tuning, which we've named "Slide Chord Harmony," appears specifically crafted for the evocative world of slide guitar, as indicated by its creator. It aims to achieve a distinct, rich harmonic character with the open strings, suggesting a particular chord voicing that can be effortlessly glided up and down the fretboard. The presence of several strings tuned up indicates a bright, tension-filled sound that will resonate beautifully with a slide, offering a lush and complex sonic palette rather than a simple open chord. This setup is ideal for players looking to explore sophisticated minor harmonies in a slide context.

Technical Analysis

The open strings present the notes: G2, A#3, D3, A3, C4, E4 (from low E to high E, respectively). These notes form a complex and intriguing harmony. When viewed from the perspective of G as the root, the open strings outline a G minor 13th chord with an added 9th. Specifically, the notes function as:

• String 6 (G2): The Root (G)
• String 5 (A#3): The Minor 3rd (A#)
• String 4 (D3): The Perfect 5th (D)
• String 3 (A3): The Major 9th (A)
• String 2 (C4): The Perfect 11th (C)
• String 1 (E4): The Major 13th (E)

This rich, extended minor chord provides a sophisticated harmonic foundation. For slide guitar, this means that barring across any single fret will transpose this entire complex voicing, creating a consistent and lush sound across the neck, perfect for expressive melodic and rhythmic playing.

Chords within Reach:

• The most prominent chord is the open G minor 13th (add9,11) as described above. This complex chord is ideal for creating a full, resonant sound with a slide.
• A clear G minor triad (G - A# - D) is readily available on strings 6, 5, and 4. This strong minor foundation makes the tuning highly effective for blues and rock slide work where a clear minor tonality is desired.
• Due to the interval structure, simply barring any fret will produce a transposed version of this complex G minor 13th chord, offering a wide array of possibilities for creating rich, moving harmonies with a slide.
• Other specific chords would require careful muting or fretting, but the strength of this tuning lies in its singular, full, open minor voicing, designed for transposition with a slide.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Slide Chord Harmony" tuning from standard EADGBe (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) tuning, follow these string adjustments:

• String 6 (Low E - E2): Tune up 3 semitones from E to G2. Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a significant adjustment; proceed with care and ensure your guitar can handle the increased tension.
• String 5 (A - A2): Tune up 1 semitone from A to A#3.
• String 4 (D - D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D to D3.
• String 3 (G - G3): Tune up 2 semitones from G to A3.
• String 2 (B - B3): Tune up 1 semitone from B to C4.
• String 1 (High E - E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E to E4.

Important Note on String Gauge: For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down (e.g., -5 or +5 semitones), it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to prevent potential damage to your instrument or to achieve optimal playability and tone. While only one string requires a 3-semitone change, always listen to your guitar and exercise caution.

String 6: G2
String 5: A#3
String 4: D3
String 3: A3
String 2: C4
String 1: E4