About the Alternate G# Tuning

The Alternate G# Tuning is a deeply resonant and powerful guitar tuning, designed to deliver a heavy, driving sound. Dominated by low G# and D# notes, it creates a unique sonic landscape that deviates significantly from standard EADGBe.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately presents a dark and brooding character, primarily due to the very low G# on the 6th string, which is much lower than a standard low E. The strong octaves on the lowest strings (G#2, G#3) and the unison D#s on the middle strings (D#4, D#4) provide a thick, almost symphonic foundation for riffs and chords. It's a tuning that lends itself well to genres requiring significant low-end power and drone-like textures, such as metal, doom, progressive rock, or experimental music. The unique intervals on the higher strings (F3, A#4) prevent it from being a simple open chord tuning, instead encouraging more complex voicings or melodic lines that play against the robust lower register.

Players will find it exceptionally easy to create powerful, thick-sounding power chords and root-fifth voicings across the lower four strings with just a single-finger barre. The dual D# strings (3 and 4) offer a distinctive resonant quality when strummed open or barred. This tuning rewards exploration for unique chord shapes beyond simple open position chords.

Technical Analysis

The open notes of this tuning are:

• String 6: G#2 (lowest note)
• String 5: G#3 (an octave above String 6)
• String 4: D#4 (a perfect fifth above String 5)
• String 3: D#4 (a unison with String 4)
• String 2: F3 (a major 6th below String 3)
• String 1: A#4 (a minor 7th above String 2)

Comparing to standard EADGBe, this tuning features significant shifts:

• The two lowest strings form a perfect octave (G#2-G#3), providing immense low-end depth.
• Strings 4 and 3 are tuned to a unison D#4, creating a powerful, resonant drone.
• The interval between String 5 (G#3) and String 4 (D#4) is a perfect fifth.
• The interval between String 3 (D#4) and String 2 (F3) is a major sixth *down* (or F3 is a major sixth below D#4), breaking typical guitar tuning patterns and opening up unique melodic possibilities.
• The interval between String 2 (F3) and String 1 (A#4) is a minor seventh.

The overall open string voicing (G#2, G#3, D#4, D#4, F3, A#4) contains the notes G#, D#, F, A#. If we consider G# as the root, these notes are Root, Octave, Fifth, Fifth, minor Sixth, and Major Second. This combination does not form a simple major or minor open chord, suggesting it's designed for specific harmonic textures or power chord-centric playing, especially on the lower strings.

Chordal Opportunities

• Power Chords: Barring the lowest four strings (G#2, G#3, D#4, D#4) at any fret will instantly yield robust power chords (Root, Octave, Fifth, Fifth). For example, a single finger across the 1st fret gives an A power chord (A3, A4, E5, E5).
• Drone Tones: The unison D#4 on strings 3 and 4 is excellent for creating sustained drone effects or rhythmic percussive hits.
• Unique Voicings: The non-standard intervals on the higher strings (F3, A#4) invite experimentation. Combining these with the lower G# and D# notes can lead to unique, often dissonant or ethereal voicings that are difficult to achieve in standard tuning.

How to Tune

To achieve the Alternate G# Tuning, you will need to adjust your strings as follows. Please note the significant string tension changes, and consider using a heavier gauge for optimal playability and to prevent string breakage on the more extreme adjustments.

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune down 8 semitones to G#2. Warning: Tuning down 8 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• String 4 (D string): Tune up 1 semitone to D#4.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Note: Tuning down exactly 4 semitones is a significant change. While not exceeding the threshold, considering a slightly heavier gauge string is recommended for optimal tension and playability.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 6 semitones to F3. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
• String 1 (High E string): Tune down 6 semitones to A#4. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.

String 6: G#2

String 5: G#3

String 4: D#4

String 3: D#4

String 2: F3

String 1: A#4