The tuning known as "major thirds G" offers a unique sonic landscape, particularly suited for exploring distinctive jazz chords and scales. It moves away from standard guitar tuning to create an intriguing open sound.

Verbal Analysis

As its name suggests, this tuning draws inspiration from major third intervals, creating a rich and somewhat ethereal open voicing. While not every string interval is a major third, the core structure builds upon a G augmented triad (G-B-D#) repeated across octaves, giving it a bright, unresolved, and often harmonically adventurous quality. This can make for surprisingly accessible complex chords, especially in jazz or experimental contexts, as certain voicings may naturally fall under the fingers. However, the unconventional string progression, particularly the significant drop in pitch from the 4th to the 3rd string, will require a substantial re-learning of familiar scale patterns and chord shapes, opening up new creative avenues but also presenting a steep learning curve for traditional playing.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for this tuning are specified as G2, B2, D#4, G3, B3, D#5. Let's examine the intervals between these notes:

• 6th String (G2) to 5th String (B2): A Major Third (4 semitones).
• 5th String (B2) to 4th String (D#4): This interval spans an Octave plus a Major Third (16 semitones). While it includes a major third, the octave displacement creates a significant jump in pitch between these two strings.
• 4th String (D#4) to 3rd String (G3): This is a descending interval of a Minor Sixth (9 semitones down). This unexpected drop in pitch is a defining characteristic of this tuning and dramatically alters fingerboard logic compared to more conventional tunings.
• 3rd String (G3) to 2nd String (B3): A Major Third (4 semitones).
• 2nd String (B3) to 1st String (D#5): Similar to the 5th to 4th string, this is an Octave plus a Major Third (16 semitones).

This tuning effectively creates an open G Augmented triad (G-B-D#) across several octaves, with the open strings themselves forming a G augmented chord. This means that many augmented voicings become readily available with minimal fretting, and scales that feature augmented intervals will feel quite natural. Chords like Gmaj7#5 or Gaugmaj7 become particularly resonant. However, standard major, minor, or dominant seventh chord shapes will be significantly re-arranged and require new fingerings due to the major third intervals and the notable octave displacements, especially the descending interval between the 4th and 3rd strings.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To tune your guitar from standard EADGBe, follow these precise string movements:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from E2 to G2. This is a moderate adjustment and generally safe for standard string gauges.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 2 semitones from A2 to B2. This is a moderate adjustment and generally safe for standard string gauges.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 1 semitone from D3 to D#3. This is a minor adjustment and generally safe for standard string gauges.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). It remains B3.
• 1st String (High e): Tune down 1 semitone from E4 to D#4. This is a minor adjustment and generally safe for standard string gauges.

Please note: The precise target notes derived from the string movement instructions (e.g., D#3 for the 4th string and D#4 for the 1st string) may differ in octave from the intended notes (D#4 and D#5 respectively) listed in the tuning's full description. Always tune carefully and verify with a reliable tuner. If attempting to reach the higher octave notes (D#4 for string 4 and D#5 for string 1) by tuning up from standard, significant string tension increases would occur, and lighter gauge strings or alternative tuning methods might be required for optimal safety and playability. The tuning instructions above are derived strictly from the 'string_movements' data provided.

The open strings for this tuning are as follows:
6th String: G2
5th String: B2
4th String: D#4
3rd String: G3
2nd String: B3
1st String: D#5