Tuning Analysis: G Dream Chord

Verbal Analysis

This tuning, which we've named "G Dream Chord", offers a unique sonic landscape, echoing the "mellow, midwest emo ish vibe" described by its creator. The open strings immediately present a rich and complex harmony that feels both familiar and wonderfully peculiar. The interplay between the lower, foundational G major elements and the exceptionally high C#5 and F#5 creates a shimmering, almost bell-like quality, inviting delicate arpeggiations and intricate fingerpicking patterns. It's an experimental tuning designed to inspire fresh ideas, perfect for those looking to break away from conventional voicings and explore textures that are simultaneously bright and reflective. The presence of dissonant extensions within a major framework gives it a poignant, slightly melancholic yet hopeful character, characteristic of the midwest emo sound.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are as follows, from lowest to highest pitch:

• String 6: G2
• String 5: B2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#5
• String 1: F#5

When strummed open, these notes form a sophisticated G Major 7th chord with a #11 and an added 9th (Gmaj7#11(add9)). Breaking down the intervals from the lowest G2 string, we have: G (Root), B (Major 3rd), D (Perfect 5th), A (Major 9th), C# (Augmented 4th / #11), and F# (Major 7th). This is a harmonically dense and advanced voicing, unusual for an open tuning. The dramatic leap to C#5 and F#5 on the higher strings means these strings will ring with exceptional clarity and brightness, almost like a harp or chime. This encourages a light touch and arpeggiated playing to bring out the delicate harmonic interplay rather than heavy strumming.

The core G Major triad (G-B-D on strings 6, 5, 4) provides a stable foundation, allowing for easy access to G-centric harmonies. The open A3 on the third string readily creates a Gmaj9 or Gsus2 flavor. While complex, this tuning is highly conducive to experimenting with modal shapes and partial chords. Fingerings that previously might have felt cumbersome in standard tuning could become unexpectedly intuitive here. For instance, moving a single finger across the upper strings could create sweeping arpeggios that transition between major and minor or suspended qualities, leveraging the inherent extensions. Chords derived from a D root, hinted at by the original "strange open d" name, could also be explored, finding new voicings for D Major or D Major 7th by utilizing the open D string (string 4) as a pivot, though the G root and C# in the tuning push it strongly towards a G-centric feel.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each string, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st):

• String 6: G2
• String 5: B2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#5
• String 1: F#5

How to Tune

To achieve the "G Dream Chord" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from its standard E2 note to G2.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard A2 note to B2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change from its standard D3 note (0 semitones).
• String 3 (G): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard G3 note to A3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard B3 note to C#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 2 semitones from its standard E4 note to F#4.

Important Note on String Gauge: String tension changes significantly with tuning adjustments. While all string movements specified for tuning this setup are within a relatively safe range (less than 4 semitones up or down from standard EADGBe), consistently using tunings that involve movements greater than 4 semitones (up or down) may benefit from a different string gauge to maintain optimal playability and string longevity. For the string movements described above, a standard gauge set should generally suffice.