Open Ab Major Tuning: An Analysis for 'Sleepwalk'

This tuning, inspired by its suitability for evocative pieces like "Sleepwalk," creates a rich, resonant, and almost dreamy soundscape. By tuning the open strings to an A-flat Major chord, it offers an immediate sense of harmony and depth, making it exceptionally well-suited for slide guitar, open-string arpeggios, and sustained, melodic passages. The inherent open chord facilitates fluid transitions and can provide a shimmering, bell-like quality to your playing. It encourages a style that is less about complex fretting and more about texture, sustained notes, and the natural resonance of the instrument, reminiscent of Hawaiian steel guitar or ambient soundscapes.

Technical Breakdown

This is an Open Ab Major Tuning. The notes, from low to high (String 6 to String 1), are G#3 (Ab3), C3, D#4 (Eb4), G#4 (Ab4), C4, and D#5 (Eb5). When strummed open, these notes collectively form an Ab Major triad (Ab, C, Eb) across multiple octaves, resulting in a full and harmonically complete sound. This arrangement provides an excellent foundation for melodic and harmonic exploration within the key of Ab Major.

• Root (Ab): Present on the 6th string (G#3/Ab3) and 3rd string (G#4/Ab4), establishing a strong tonal center.
• Major Third (C): Found on the 5th string (C3) and 2nd string (C4), providing the characteristic major tonality.
• Perfect Fifth (Eb): Located on the 4th string (D#4/Eb4) and 1st string (D#5/Eb5), completing the triad and adding richness.

Due to the open Ab Major chord, barring across any fret will instantly yield another major chord (e.g., barring at the 1st fret gives A Major, 2nd fret for Bb Major, etc.). This makes transposing simple and intuitive. Additionally, reaching for common relative chords like Eb Major (the V chord) or Db Major (the IV chord) becomes quite accessible with minimal fretting, opening up a wide range of harmonic possibilities.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe. When tuning, please reference the specified target note for each string. Given the considerable upward movements for some strings, and the octaves specified for the target notes, it's crucial to proceed with caution. We strongly recommend considering a lighter gauge string set for strings 6 and 5 to prevent excessive tension and potential string breakage, and for other strings where the target note's octave is significantly higher than its standard pitch.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 4 semitones to G3#. This is a substantial jump; a different gauge string is strongly advised to prevent excessive tension and potential damage to your instrument.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 3 semitones to C3. This is a considerable upward adjustment; a lighter string gauge may be beneficial for comfort and safety.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 1 semitone to D4#.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitone to G4#.
• String 2 (B): Tune up 1 semitone to C4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D5#.

The notes for this unique tuning are as follows:

• String 6 (low E): G3#
• String 5 (A): C3
• String 4 (D): D4#
• String 3 (G): G4#
• String 2 (B): C4
• String 1 (high E): D5#