This unique tuning, aptly named Leo Kottke's Low G# Drone, is a profound departure from standard guitar tuning. It is derived by taking Leo Kottke's original A# D# A# D# G A# tuning and shifting it a full step down. The resulting open notes, from the lowest to the highest string, are G# C# G# C# F G#.

Verbal & Technical Analysis

Verbally, this tuning immediately evokes a sense of deep resonance and atmosphere. It's engineered to provide a powerful, low-end drone, characteristic of the rich, expansive soundscapes found in Leo Kottke's intricate fingerstyle guitar work. The significant drop in pitch across all strings results in noticeably looser string tension, which contributes to a warm, full-bodied tone with ample sustain and harmonic richness. It encourages a style of playing that emphasizes open string melodies and drone notes, making it an excellent choice for creating intricate textures and a meditative, almost haunting, sonic experience.

Technically, the open string notes are G2#, C3#, G3#, C4#, F3, G4# (from 6th to 1st string). Examining the musical intervals from the lowest G# (6th string):

• 6th string (G#): Root
• 5th string (C#): Perfect 4th (P4)
• 4th string (G#): Octave
• 3rd string (C#): Compound Perfect 4th (P11 or Octave + P4)
• 2nd string (F): Minor 6th (m6) from the root G#
• 1st string (G#): Double Octave

The tuning prominently features G# and C#, naturally creating a strong G#sus4 tonality. However, the F on the 2nd string (enharmonically E#) is a crucial element. When all open strings are played, they form a rich C# Major chord (C# E# G#) with a G# bass note (C# Major / G#). This means that simply barring across any fret will yield a parallel major chord up the neck (e.g., barring the 1st fret gives a D Major / A, barring the 3rd fret yields an E Major / B, and so on). This structural simplicity makes chordal movement highly accessible for fingerstyle players. The open F also creates a distinctive minor 6th interval with the root G#, adding a unique, often melancholic or bluesy color to the overall sound, moving it beyond a simple major or suspended voicing.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant detuning of all strings from standard EADGBE. Please exercise extreme caution during tuning, and it is highly recommended to use a lighter gauge string set to avoid excessive tension issues on your guitar and ensure optimal playability. Tuning more than 4 semitones up or down often warrants a change in string gauge.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 8 semitones to G2#. Warning: Tuning down 8 semitones is a substantial change; a lighter gauge string is highly advised.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 8 semitones to C3#. Warning: Tuning down 8 semitones is a substantial change; a lighter gauge string is highly advised.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 6 semitones to G3#. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change; a lighter gauge string is advised.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 6 semitones to C4#. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change; a lighter gauge string is advised.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 6 semitones to F3. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant change; a lighter gauge string is advised.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 8 semitones to G4#. Warning: Tuning down 8 semitones is a substantial change; a lighter gauge string is highly advised.

Always tune slowly and check string tension carefully to prevent damage to your instrument.

6th String: G2#

5th String: C3#

4th String: G3#

3rd String: C4#

2nd String: F3

1st String: G4#