This is an extremely low and rich tuning for the Guitar, providing a unique sonic landscape for heavy, atmospheric, and experimental music. As described, it's perfect for "chuggy atmospheric nonsense," indicating its suitability for genres like progressive metal, doom metal, djent, or even ambient soundscapes where deep, resonant tones are desired.

Verbal Analysis

The overall feel of this tuning is deep, dark, and expansive. The significantly lowered pitch across most strings immediately places it in the 'baritone' category, even if played on a standard scale length instrument. It fosters a sense of immense weight and power, making it a fantastic choice for rhythmic, palm-muted riffs, and slow, crushing chord progressions. The "atmospheric nonsense" hints at its potential for dissonant textures and sustained, evolving soundscapes, perhaps utilizing pedals like reverb, delay, and fuzz to great effect. The G#madd9 chord at its core suggests a melancholic yet harmonically rich foundation.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this tuning are:

• String 6: G#2
• String 5: D#3
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: B2
• String 2: G#4
• String 1: A#4

Analysing these notes reveals a few key characteristics:

• Core Chord: G# minor add9. The notes G# (root), B (minor third), D# (perfect fifth), and A# (add9) are all present within the open string voicing (G#2, B2, D#3, G#3, G#4, A#4). When played open, the strings collectively form a rich G#madd9 chord.
• Re-entrant Tuning: A striking feature is the B2 on String 3. This note is lower in pitch than the G#3 on String 4. This re-entrant arrangement creates unique voicing possibilities, allowing for a lower drone or bass note on an "inner" string, which can produce interesting melodic and harmonic effects.
• Power Chord Foundation: The lowest three strings (G#2, D#3, G#3) form a G# power chord (root-fifth-octave), making it incredibly easy to hit heavy, chugging riffs without much effort. This is a common characteristic of drop tunings but amplified by the overall low pitch.
• Extended Range: With the low G#2 and the high A#4, this tuning offers a broad melodic and harmonic range, allowing for deep bass lines and bright, cutting lead phrases.

Chords & Playability

With the open strings forming a G#madd9 chord, this tuning immediately provides a full, dark, and atmospheric harmony. The re-entrant B2 on the third string can be utilized for unique melodic inversions or as a sustained drone under higher notes. Power chords are incredibly accessible, especially on the lower three to four strings, making it ideal for heavy riffing. Barring across the first three or four lowest strings will yield various power chords or minor/major triad shapes based on the G# and D# intervals. The presence of the B2 and A#4 provides harmonic colour, allowing for exploration of jazzy or prog-rock inspired voicings on top of the heavy foundation. Standard chord shapes will largely need to be re-learned due to the significant changes in pitch and the re-entrant string. However, the consistent root-fifth-octave relation on the bottom strings simplifies heavy rhythm playing.

Open String Notes

• String 6: G#2 (lowest string)
• String 5: D#3
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: B2
• String 2: G#4
• String 1: A#4 (highest string)

How to Tune

Please note that most of these tuning changes involve significant drops in pitch. For optimal tone and string tension, especially for strings tuned down 4 semitones or more, considering a heavier gauge string set is highly recommended to prevent buzzing and maintain playability.

• String 6: Tune down 8 semitones to G2#. ⚠️ Caution: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5: Tune down 6 semitones to D3#. ⚠️ Caution: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4: Tune down 6 semitones to G3#. ⚠️ Caution: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 3: Tune down 8 semitones to B2. ⚠️ Caution: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2: Tune down 3 semitones to G4#.
• String 1: Tune down 6 semitones to A4#. ⚠️ Caution: This is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.