Tuning Analysis: 'gm+6'

Originating from Jim O'Rourke's experimental work with Sonic Youth, the 'gm+6' tuning offers a truly distinctive sonic landscape. As described by O'Rourke, it's a tuning that initially perplexes due to adjacent strings sharing the same pitch, yet it unlocks unique textural possibilities. This is a non-standard, outsider tuning designed for deep exploration and experimentation, moving beyond typical guitar voicings to create richer, often resonant, and sometimes dissonant soundscapes. It certainly has more potential than many other unconventional tunings, inviting players to discover new harmonic territories.

Technical Analysis: Open Voicing & Intervals

This 'gm+6' tuning, specifically G2-G2-D3-E3-G3-B3 (from thickest to thinnest string), lays a unique harmonic foundation. The most striking technical feature is the unison G2 between the 6th and 5th strings. This provides a powerful, resonant bass drone or a thickened root, allowing for a robust low end that can underpin more intricate voicings.

• String 6 (G2) to String 5 (G2): Unison (P1) – A unique doubling that adds significant body and sustain to the low end.
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th (P5) – A strong, consonant interval that establishes the harmonic framework.
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (E3): Major 2nd (M2) – A close, often harmonically rich or jazzy, interval.
• String 3 (E3) to String 2 (G3): Minor 3rd (m3) – Adds a bluesy, melancholic, or slightly ambiguous flavor.
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (B3): Major 3rd (M3) – A bright, consonant interval that completes the chord.

When strumming the open strings, the resultant chord is a rich G Major 6th (G-B-D-E), with the root (G) doubled an octave lower and at the same octave on the 5th string for added depth and sustain. This immediate access to a full Gmaj6 chord makes the tuning particularly intuitive for exploring harmonies within that tonality. The compact and ascending intervals of the top four strings (D-E-G-B) lend themselves well to creating tight, clustered voicings, allowing for complex harmonic textures with relatively simple finger shapes. Players can easily create various major 6th, dominant 7th, or even altered voicings by simply shifting single-finger barres or partial shapes up and down the neck. The prominent G drone also facilitates a modal approach to playing, allowing for melodic improvisation over a sustained root, making it ideal for ambient, experimental, or post-rock soundscapes.

Tuning Notes:

Your guitar will be tuned to the following notes (from thickest to thinnest string):

• String 6 (Low E): G2
• String 5 (A): G2
• String 4 (D): D3
• String 3 (G): E3
• String 2 (B): G3
• String 1 (High E): B3

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'gm+6' tuning, please adjust your strings from their standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from E2 to G2. (Caution: Tuning up 3 semitones is a significant change; proceed carefully.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• String 4 (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from D3 to D3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3. (Caution: Tuning down 3 semitones is a significant change; proceed carefully.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones from B3 to G3. (Warning: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial change. A different gauge string is advised for optimal tension and playability.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from E4 to B3. (Warning: Tuning down 5 semitones is a very substantial change. A different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension and playability.)

General Caution: When tuning strings up or down by more than 4 semitones (i.e., > +4 or < -4), it is generally advised to consider using a different gauge string to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument. For changes of 3 or 4 semitones, proceed with care.