Verbal Analysis:

The GECGEC tuning, famously employed in the relaxing rendition of "Hero Too" by Aviand, creates an extraordinarily rich and resonant open C Major chord. This makes it an ideal tuning for compositions that benefit from a full, harmonically complete sound without the need for intricate fingerings on the open strings. The unique arrangement of notes – G2-E2-C3-G3-E4-C4 from lowest to highest string – produces a captivating, layered sound that evokes a sense of calm, spaciousness, and introspection. It lends itself beautifully to ambient soundscapes, fingerstyle arrangements, and folk music where a deep, sustained harmonic foundation is desired.

While the open strings immediately provide a C Major chord, the unconventional intervals between adjacent strings encourage players to explore new melodic and harmonic possibilities. Barring across all strings at a given fret will yield other major chords (e.g., F Major at the 5th fret, G Major at the 7th fret), simplifying chord transitions. The repetition of the C-G-E triad across different octaves provides a strong and versatile canvas for improvisation within the C Major scale, its relative minor (A minor), and related modes. This tuning encourages a horizontal approach to the fretboard, favoring drones and open string ringing tones that can add significant depth to arrangements.

Technical Analysis:

The GECGEC tuning sets the guitar's strings to G2, E2, C3, G3, E4, C4 (from String 6 to String 1). This configuration fundamentally forms an open C Major chord (C-E-G), but with a distinctive voicing and extended range. The notes are distributed such that the 5th (G), Major 3rd (E), and Root (C) of the C Major triad are present twice across the fretboard, providing a full and harmonically dense sound.

The specific intervals between consecutive open strings are:

• String 6 (G2) to String 5 (E2): Minor Third Down (-3 semitones)
• String 5 (E2) to String 4 (C3): Major Sixth Up (+8 semitones)
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect Fifth Up (+7 semitones)
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (E4): Major Sixth Up (+9 semitones)
• String 2 (E4) to String 1 (C4): Major Third Down (-4 semitones)

These varied and sometimes wide intervals deviate significantly from standard tuning and even most common open tunings. The presence of downward intervals (G2-E2, E4-C4) alongside large upward intervals (E2-C3, G3-E4) creates unique voicings and harmonic relationships that can be exploited for complex arpeggios and resonant open-string melodic lines.

How to Tune:

To convert your guitar from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) to GECGEC, follow these precise string movements:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from standard E2 to G2.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones from standard A2 to E2. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. For optimal tension and tone, especially for sustained use, a heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from standard D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string remains standard G3.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 5 semitones from standard B3 to E4. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change. To avoid excessive tension or potential string breakage, a lighter gauge string is advised.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 4 semitones from standard E4 to C4. (Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. For optimal tension and tone, a heavier gauge string is advised.)