Verbal Description

The "SBarry tuning" for guitar, described by its creator as providing a "bright sound to melodies," opens up a unique sonic palette. When strummed open, this tuning presents the notes G1-C2-G2-A#3-D#4-G3. This combination creates a rich, somewhat dark, yet ultimately resonant and "bright" character. It's not a conventional major or minor open chord, but rather a sophisticated cluster of notes that evokes a G minor tonality with additional colors. The strong low G and repeated Gs provide a powerful fundamental, while the C (perfect 4th) introduces a suspended quality, and the A# (minor 3rd) and D# (augmented 5th) add intriguing minor and altered harmonic tensions. This makes the tuning particularly suitable for creating unique melodic lines that stand out, or for crafting drones and atmospheric soundscapes with a distinct emotional depth. It encourages exploration beyond standard chord shapes, inviting players to discover new voicings and melodic possibilities across the fretboard.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are structured as follows, from low to high: G1, C2, G2, A#3 (Bb3), D#4 (Eb4), G3.

• String 6 (G1): The lowest string is tuned to G1, serving as the foundational root.
• String 5 (C2): A perfect fourth above the root G, providing a suspended quality.
• String 4 (G2): An octave above the lowest G, reinforcing the fundamental.
• String 3 (A#3 / Bb3): A minor third above the G root, establishing a minor harmonic basis.
• String 2 (D#4 / Eb4): An augmented fifth above the G root, adding a unique, often piercing or melancholic tension. This note is also a minor third above the A# (Bb) on string 3.
• String 1 (G3): An octave above the G2 and two octaves above G1, completing the strong G fundamental.

This tuning effectively presents a G minor chord (G-Bb-D) with a suspended 4th (C) and an altered 5th (Eb instead of D), often referred to as a G minor(add4, #5) or G minor(sus4, b6). The specific voicing with C as the second string from the lowest G-string creates a powerful open fifth/fourth foundation. The close proximity of A# and D# (Bb and Eb) on adjacent strings facilitates interesting minor and altered chord voicings with minimal fingering. Open chords like G minor (x-x-G2-A#3-D#4-G3) can be formed by muting the lower C string, and various sus4 chords will naturally emerge. The tuning invites exploration of melodic patterns that leverage these specific intervals, especially for creating bright, yet emotionally complex, arpeggios and leads.

How to Tune to SBarry Tuning

To achieve the SBarry tuning for your guitar, follow these instructions carefully. The target notes are provided, along with the precise string adjustments required. Please take care when tuning, especially when increasing string tension.

• String 6 (Low E string position): Tune up 1 semitone to reach G1.
• String 5 (A string position): Tune up 1 semitone to reach C2.
• String 4 (D string position): Tune up 3 semitones to reach G2. Please exercise caution when tuning this string, as an increase of 3 semitones means significant tension. Always tune slowly.
• String 3 (G string position): Tune up 1 semitone to reach A#3.
• String 2 (B string position): Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4.
• String 1 (High E string position): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from its current note of G3.

Important Note on String Gauge: For changes exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is generally advised to consider using a different string gauge to ensure optimal playability and prevent string breakage. In this tuning, String 4 is tuned up by 3 semitones. While this is just under the 4-semitone threshold, careful tuning is still recommended.