This unique tuning, aptly named "Open G#", presents a fascinating departure from conventional guitar tunings. With open strings set to G# C# G# C D# G#, it immediately hints at a rich, complex harmonic landscape rather than a simple major or minor chord. The presence of both C and C# in the open tuning is particularly noteworthy, creating an inherent tension and a distinctive sonic character.

Technical Analysis

Analyzing the intervals from the lowest G# (6th string), we find a G# root on the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings, providing a strong tonal center across multiple octaves. The 5th string is a perfect 4th above the low G# (C#), and the 2nd string is a perfect 5th above (D#). The most intriguing intervals are on the 3rd string (C) and 5th string (C#). From the root G#, C is an augmented 2nd (or minor 3rd relative to a C# minor scale), while C# is a perfect 4th. This combination results in a stacked voicing that includes the root, perfect 4th, augmented 2nd/minor 3rd, and perfect 5th.

• Open Chords: A full strum of the open strings (G# C# G# C D# G#) yields a sound that isn't a straightforward G# major or minor. Instead, it can be interpreted as a G#sus4 chord (G# C# D#) with an added major third (C, relative to G#). This creates a somewhat dissonant but incredibly rich and resonant sound. This voicing offers a unique foundation for blues, jazz, and modern fingerstyle or experimental music where harmonic complexity is desired.
• Accessible Chords: Despite its unconventional nature, the multiple octaves of G# make it easy to establish a strong G# drone or power chords by simply muting other strings or using single-finger barring techniques. Moving a single finger across the fretboard will transpose the open chord's unique intervallic structure. For instance, barring all strings at the 1st fret would yield an A D A C# E A chord, maintaining the same relative voicings. The close proximity of C and C# on the 3rd and 5th strings opens up possibilities for interesting melodic lines and altered chord voicings with minimal finger movement.

Musical Applications

This tuning is ideal for musicians looking to explore textures beyond standard open tunings. It could lend itself beautifully to atmospheric soundscapes, intricate fingerpicking patterns with a dark or melancholic edge, or powerful, resonant strumming in alternative and rock genres. Its inherent complexity makes it a fertile ground for creative improvisation and composition.

How to Tune

Please be aware that this tuning involves significant upward tension changes for all strings. Tuning up more than 4 semitones, as is the case for multiple strings here, generally indicates that a different, potentially lighter, string gauge might be advised to prevent string breakage or instrument damage. Exercise caution during the tuning process.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 4 semitones from standard E to G#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 4 semitones from standard A to C#4.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 6 semitones from standard D to G#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up 5 semitones from standard G to C4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 4 semitones from standard B to D#5.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 4 semitones from standard E to G#5.

String 6 (Low E): G#3

String 5 (A): C#4

String 4 (D): G#4

String 3 (G): C4

String 2 (B): D#5

String 1 (High E): G#5