Tuning Analysis: Tritone Deathcore Stupid Tuning

As described by its creator, this 7-string guitar tuning is simply "fun" – and indeed, its aggressive, dissonant character, heavily influenced by tritones, makes it a prime candidate for experimental metal genres like Deathcore. It defies traditional pleasantries, opting instead for a raw, uncompromising sonic landscape.

Technical Observations

This tuning presents a unique and challenging landscape, centered around the dissonant tritone (augmented 4th / diminished 5th) interval. Let's analyze the open string intervals from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st):

• String 7 (G1) to String 6 (C#3): This is a massive interval spanning an augmented 11th (G to C# spanning an octave and a half). The raw interval between G and C# is a tritone (6 semitones), creating an intensely dissonant and wide-open low-end.
• String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (G#3): A perfect 5th (7 semitones). This interval provides a strong, stable foundation for power chords.
• String 5 (G#3) to String 4 (C#4): A perfect 4th (5 semitones). Together with the previous interval, strings 6-5-4 (C#3-G#3-C#4) form a clear C#5 power chord.
• String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (F#4): A perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (A#4): A major 3rd (4 semitones). This introduces a brighter, more melodic interval compared to the predominantly 4ths and 5ths below.
• String 2 (A#4) to String 1 (D#5): A perfect 4th (5 semitones).

Chordal Opportunities & Sonic Landscape

The name "Tritone Deathcore Stupid Tuning" is highly fitting. The foundational tritone between G1 and C#3 is immediately available, producing an incredibly heavy and jarring low-end. This tuning is not designed for traditional chord progressions but rather for raw power and dissonance.

• Power Chords: The adjacent strings 6-5-4 (C#3-G#3-C#4) readily offer a solid C#5 power chord. Similarly, perfect 4ths on strings 5-4, 4-3, and 2-1 allow for easy two and three-string power chords by barring or using simple finger shapes.
• Dissonant Riffs: The open G1 on the lowest string, juxtaposed with the C#3/G#3/C#4 stack on higher strings, naturally leads to crushing, dissonant low riffs ideal for the Deathcore genre. The explicit G to C# tritone can be used as a sustained drone or a sharp, percussive accent.
• Extended Voicings: The extreme range from G1 to D#5 allows for expansive voicings with significant internal tension and a broad tonal palette, if used creatively.
• Open String Clusters: An open strum of all seven strings (G1-C#3-G#3-C#4-F#4-A#4-D#5) results in a highly complex and dissonant cluster, likely interpreted as a form of a C#m7(b5) or a Gsus4 variant with added tensions. This sound is inherently aggressive and chaotic.

This tuning encourages a style of playing that embraces discord, punishing low-end chugs, and aggressive, percussive rhythms, making it perfect for genres that thrive on sonic brutality.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Tritone Deathcore Stupid Tuning," start from your guitar's current tuning and adjust each string as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning, especially with significant changes:

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune to G1. Tune down 4 semitones.
• String 6: Tune to C#3. Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 5: Tune to G#3. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to C#4. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to F#4. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 2: Tune to A#4. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune to D#5. Tune down 1 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: Significant changes in tuning can affect string tension and intonation. While none of the individual string movements in this tuning strictly "exceed" a drop of 4 semitones (where a different gauge is typically advised), tuning down 4 semitones (String 7) and 3 semitones (String 6) are substantial adjustments. If you experience excessive floppiness, poor intonation, or breakage, considering a heavier gauge string for these lower strings would be beneficial.