Tuning Analysis: Brain Annyeurism

The 'Brain Annyeurism' tuning for an 8-string guitar is aptly named, presenting a highly unconventional and challenging sonic landscape. This tuning deviates drastically from standard configurations, featuring extreme pitch variations and wide, often dissonant, intervals that demand a unique approach from the player. It's a tuning designed for experimental sounds, intricate voicings, and pushing the boundaries of guitar tonality, rather than facilitating traditional chord shapes.

Technical Breakdown:

• The open notes, from the lowest to highest string, are: G1 E1 A1 D2 A3 C3 G3 E4.
• Observe the dramatic and often unpredictable interval shifts: The low end features a surprising Major 3rd drop from G1 to E1. This is followed by two consecutive perfect 4ths (E1-A1, A1-D2), creating a deep and resonant, yet spread-out, foundation.
• A striking and highly unusual feature is the massive jump of 19 semitones (a perfect 5th plus an octave) from D2 to A3. This creates a significant registral gap in the middle of the guitar's range.
• This large ascent is immediately followed by an equally steep drop of 9 semitones (a minor 6th down) from A3 to C3, further highlighting the erratic nature of the tuning.
• The higher strings, C3, G3, and E4, are spaced by a perfect 5th (C3-G3) and a major 6th (G3-E4). While these intervals are individually more common, their context within this tuning remains highly unconventional.

Potential Chords & Playability:

Given the extreme intervals and wide spread, traditional open chords will be largely inaccessible or require highly complex and often physically challenging fingerings. However, the tuning's unique structure does present some interesting, albeit niche, possibilities:

• Am7 Voicing: The notes A3, C3, G3, and E4 (strings 4, 3, 2, 1 respectively) can be rearranged to form an A minor 7th chord (A-C-E-G). This suggests that sections of the tuning could be used to create specific, extended jazz or dissonant voicings, especially higher up the neck.
• Droning & Rhythmic Exploration: The spread-out nature of the lower strings (G1 E1 A1 D2) might lend itself well to droning techniques, creating rich, sustained harmonic textures, or percussive rhythmic patterns that utilize the deep, resonant tones.
• Experimental & Avant-Garde: This tuning is ideal for players looking to break away from conventional harmony. It encourages exploration of abstract soundscapes, noise textures, and highly challenging melodic phrasing due to the non-standard fretboard logic it imposes. It's a true playground for experimental and avant-garde guitarists.

Overall, 'Brain Annyeurism' is a radical tuning that demands an adventurous spirit and a willingness to rethink guitar playing entirely. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but for those seeking unique sonic palettes and extreme sonic divergence, it offers a distinct, albeit challenging, canvas.

Open String Notes

• String 8: G1 (The lowest note, a very deep G, providing a foundational rumble)
• String 7: E1 (An extremely low E, offering immense depth and power)
• String 6: A1 (A low A, creating a wide interval with the E1, adding to the expansive bottom end)
• String 5: D2 (A deep D, continuing the low register and contributing to the wide spacing)
• String 4: A3 (A significant jump of more than an octave from the previous string, reaching A above middle C, creating a large registral gap)
• String 3: C3 (A notable drop from A3, placing C below middle C, contributing to the tuning's irregular contours)
• String 2: G3 (A G below middle C, providing a somewhat familiar anchor point in the mid-range)
• String 1: E4 (The highest string, an E above middle C, capping off the tuning with a bright tone)

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Brain Annyeurism' tuning, carefully make the following precise string adjustments. Given the extreme pitch changes, consider your string gauges before tuning, as a different gauge string is often advised for movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down.

• String 8 (to G1): Tune up 1 semitones. This is a minor adjustment.
• String 7 (to E1): Tune down 7 semitones. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
• String 6 (to A1): Tune down 7 semitones. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (to D2): Tune down 7 semitones. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4 (to A3): Tune up 7 semitones. Warning: This represents a very high tension increase. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised to prevent breakage, and proceed with extreme care. Tuning up 7 semitones dramatically increases string tension.
• String 3 (to C3): Tune down 7 semitones. Caution: This is a significant drop in pitch. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2 (to G3): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: While just at the threshold for a new gauge, consider a slightly heavier gauge string or proceed carefully to avoid excessive floppiness and maintain intonation.
• String 1 (to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

It is crucial to assess your string gauges before attempting this tuning due to the extreme pitch changes involved for most strings. Using gauges appropriate for the target tension will ensure optimal playability and prevent damage to your instrument or strings.