Tuning Analysis: 5-String G / Chicago (G-D-G-B-E)

This unique 5-string guitar tuning, internally named "Seeing what it would look like," presents an intriguing variant of open G tuning, tailored for a 5-string instrument. It opens up a rich sonic landscape, particularly resonant for blues, slide, folk, or rock styles where a strong root and easily accessible open chords are desired.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning provides a powerful open G major chord across the top four strings (G-B-E, and an octave G on the 3rd string). The lowest string is tuned to G2, reinforcing the tonic and adding a deep, resonant foundation. This creates an immediate sense of fullness and makes playing major chords across the lower strings incredibly straightforward – simply strumming the open strings yields a G major chord. The familiar top three strings (G-B-E) are identical to the top three strings of standard EADGBe, making it easy to adapt lead lines and higher-register voicings. The overall feel is one of broad openness and harmonic stability, inviting exploration with slide or simplified fingering patterns.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: Guitar (5-string)
• Tuning Name: 5 string G / Chicago
• Notes: G2 - D3 - G3 - B3 - E4 (from lowest to highest string)
• Intervals (lowest to highest):
  • String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
  • String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• Open Chords: Strumming all five open strings produces a G major chord (G-D-G-B-E). The lowest G2 provides a powerful root, making it robust and full. This tuning facilitates easy transposition of major chords by simply barring across frets.
• Accessible Chords/Voicings:
  • Major Chords: By barring a single fret, you can easily create major chords across the strings (e.g., barring the 5th fret gives a C major chord: C-G-C-E-G).
  • Dominant 7ths: Introducing the flattened 7th (F for a G chord) is relatively straightforward; for example, fretting the 4th string at the 3rd fret (F) and playing open G-F-G-B-E yields G7.
  • Minor Chords: Minor chords require more complex fingering due to the open G major tonality, but shapes similar to standard tuning can be adapted on the higher strings.
• Tuning Relationship: This tuning closely resembles open G (D-G-D-G-B-D or G-G-D-G-B-D) but adapted for a 5-string setup with D3 as the second string, and the lowest string also a G. The G-D-G-B portion is common in blues and folk.

Tuning Notes Overview

The final notes for each string, from the lowest (thickest) to the highest (thinnest) on your 5-string guitar, are:

• String 5: G2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4

How to Tune (5 string G / Chicago)

Follow these steps to adjust your 5-string guitar to the 5 string G / Chicago tuning:

• String 5 (Lowest String): Tune to G2. This involves: Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to D3. This involves: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3: Tune to G3. This involves: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2: Tune to B3. This involves: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune to E4. This involves: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings up or down by more than 4 semitones (either +4 or -4), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge. Significant changes in tension can affect string longevity and guitar setup, though the -2 semitone change for String 5 in this tuning is typically well within a standard string's tolerance.