This article contains a list of guitar tunings that supplements the article guitar tunings. In particular, this list contains more examples of open and regular tunings, which are discussed in the article on guitar tunings. In addition, this list also notes dropped tunings.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2019)
A FuniChar D-616 guitar with a Drop D tuning. It has an unusual additional fretboard that extends onto the headstock. Most guitarists obtain a Drop D tuning by detuning the low E string a tone down.
E-A-d-g-b-e'
Throughout, this list references standard tuning, i.e. E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4 . for comparison.
This openC tuning is used by William Ackerman for his "TownsendShuffle" and by John Fahey for his tribute to Mississippi John Hurt. This tuning is also commonly used by John Butler on his 12-string guitar.[1] This tuning is used on most work by Devin Townsend in his solo work as well as his work with Strapping Young Lad. When playing on a 7-string guitar, he would have a low G as the lowest string to complete the fifth. David Wilcox also recorded his most famous songs, "Eye of the Hurricane" and "Rusty Old American Dream", both from How Did You Find Me Here, in this tuning, as well as "New World", "Show the Way", "Hold It Up to the Light", and his cover of "It's the Same Old Song" from Big Horizon, and "Mango" from East Asheville Hardware.
This open-C tuning gives the initial harmonic series when a C-string is struck.[4]
The C-C-G-C-E-G tuning uses the harmonic sequence (overtones) of the note C. When an open-note C-string is struck, its harmonic sequence begins with the notes (C,C,G,C,E,G,B♭,C).[3][4]
This overtone-series tuning was modified by Mick Ralphs, who used a high C rather than the high G for "Can't Get Enough" on Bad Company. Ralphs said, "It needs the open C to have that ring," and "it never really sounds right in standard tuning".[5]
This tuning is the same as Open D but tuned a half-step down. It is used by Alice In Chains on the songs "Over Now", "Nothin' Song", and "Shame in You"; by Guns N' Roses on the song "Bad Obsession"; and by Switchfoot on the song "Daisy".
Alternatively: C-G-D-G-B-D (used by Big Wreck on multiple songs, most notably "Inhale" and "Mistake"—They downtune it a half step[11]—and by David Wilcox on "It's Almost Time", "Just a Vehicle", "Distant Water", "Golden Day", and his covers of "The Kid" and "Missing You ." Also used by Andrew Peterson on his song "Faith to be Strong" and by Macseal on multiple songs.)
Dobro Open G: G-B-D-G-B-D (occasionally adopted for ordinary guitar, but requires lighter fifth and sixth strings).
The following open-tunings use a minor third, and give a minor chord with open strings. To avoid the relatively cumbersome designation "open D minor", "open C minor", such tunings are sometimes called "cross-note tunings". The term also expresses the fact that, compared to Major chord open tunings, by fretting the lowered string at the first fret, it is possible to produce a major chord very easily.[14]
Cross-note D: D-A-D-F-A-D (used by John Fahey on the song "Red Pony")
Alternative: D-A-D-A-D-F (used by William Ackerman on "Barbara's Song")
Cross-note E: E-B-E-G-B-E (used by ZZ Top on the song "Just Got Paid" and by Joey Eppard on the 3 song "Bramfatura")
Cross-note F: F-A♭-C-F-C-F (extremely rare)
Alternative: F-C-F-A♭-C-F (used by Albert Collins;[18] requires light gauges)
Cross-note G: D-G-D-G-B♭-D
Sitar A tuning (listen)
Alternative Cross A: E-A-E-A-E-A. «Sitar A» - an alternative low guitar system. Recalls the sound of Indian sitar.
Modal
D modal tuning.
In modal tunings, the strings are tuned to form a chord which is not definitively minor or major. These tunings may facilitate very easy chords and unique sounds when the open strings are used as drones. Often these tunings form a suspended chord on the open strings. A well known user of modal tunings is Sonic Youth.
Bsus4: B-F♯-B-E-F♯-B (DADGAD but three notes (1-1/2 steps) lower, a main tuning of Sevendust, who have used it since Animosity)
Badd9: B-F♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯, Used by Devin Townsend on "Bastard", a minor variation is used by Alter Bridge on the song "This Side of Fate" tuned B-F#-C#-F#-B-D
Csus2: C-G-C-G-C-D (first five strings equivalent to Double-C tuning for the banjo, believed to have been used by David Wilcox on "Let Them In" from Home Again (for the First Time), though even he isn't entirely sure)
Csus4+9: C-G-C-F-C-D (used by Martin Simpson in "We Are All Heroes", and by David Wilcox on "Come Away to Sea" from The Nightshift Watchman with the high string raised to E)
Low C: C-G-D-G-A-D (used by David Wilcox on "High Hill", "Covert War", "Chet Baker's Unsung Swan Song", "Break in the Cup", "Show Me the Key", "Silent Prayer", and "Leaving You")
Dsus2: D-A-D-E-A-D (used by David Wilcox on "How Did You Find Me Here")
Dsus4: D-A-D-G-A-D (devised by British guitarist Davey Graham[21] in the late 1950s, associated with French acoustic guitarist Pierre Bensusan,[22] and used by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin for a number of songs including "Kashmir" and "Black Mountain Side"; also used by David Wilcox on multiple songs, occasionally tuning half a step down)
Esus2: E-B-E-F♯-B-E (used by My Bloody Valentine in "Only Shallow" and by John Mayer in "Something's Missing," "Wherever You Go," "Heart So Heavy," and "In Your Atmosphere").
Esus4: E-B-E-A-B-E, E-A-B-E-B-E (the latter used by Jars of Clay on their debut album Jars of Clay)
E7sus4: E-A-D-E-B-E (used by Ed Sheeran in "Tenerife Sea.")
EEEEBE a.k.a. "Bruce Palmer Modal Tuning," as named and used by Stephen Stills in "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes where Stills uses this tuning while the other guitar is in standard tuning.[23])
A compact tuning that fits within one octave and covers the chromatic scale between open strings and the first fret.
Minor thirds
C-D♯-F♯-A-C-D♯
In the minor-thirds tuning, every interval between successive strings is a minor third. In the minor-thirds tuning beginning with C, the open strings contain the notes (C, D♯, F♯) of the diminished C chord.[28]
Major-thirds tuning is a regular tuning in which the musical intervals between successive strings are each major thirds.[29][30][31] Unlike all-fourths and all-fifths tuning, major-thirds tuning repeats its octave after three strings, which again simplifies the learning of chords and improvisation.[32]
Neighboring the standard tuning is the major-thirds tuning that has the open strings
This tuning is like that of the lowest four strings in standard tuning.[34][35] Jazz musician Stanley Jordan plays guitar in all-fourths tuning; he has stated that all-fourths tuning "simplifies the fingerboard, making it logical".[36]
All-fifths tuning is a tuning in intervals of perfect fifths like that of a mandolin, cello or violin; other names include "perfect fifths" and "fifths".[38] It has a wide range, thus it requires an appropriate range of string gauges. A high b' string has been recently developed by Octave4Plus gauged at .006 which is considerable thinner than most guitar strings on the market, but under low tension to prevent breakage.
Ostrich tuning is a tuning where all strings are tuned to the same note over two or three octaves,[39] creating an intense, choruseddrone and interesting fingering potential.
Goo Goo Dolls have used a similar tuning (B-D-D-D-d-d) on their song "Iris".
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012)
Drop D tuning
Drop tunings lower the sixth string, dropping the lowest E string of the standard tuning. Some drop tunings also lower the fifth string (the A-note in standard-tuning). A dropone tuning lowers the pitch by one full step.
Some lower tunings may call for a baritone guitar to more easily maintain high string tension and a rich tone. Others can be achieved using a capo and/or a partial capo.
Drop E – E-B-e-A-C♯-F♯ / E-B-e-A-D♭-G♭/ Five full steps down from Drop D, or one full step up from Drop D1. Another Variation can be mixed with a Drop A as follows: E-A-e-a-D-G-B-e modeled on an 8 string or E-A-e-a-D-F#-B/E-A-e-a-D-Gb-B on a seven-string guitar, Used by Starset on Horizons, Loathe (E-A-e-a-D-F♯/G♭), Humanity's Last Breath (E-B-e-A-G♯/A♭-a) and To The Grave/Body Prison guitarist Tom Cadden(E-A-e-A-D-G-B). The guitarist from Humanitys Last Breath (Buster Odeholm) has the 2 plain strings 1 note away from each other (Ab-a) in order to do dissonant chords without using finger stretching chords and also can be used sith the digitech whammy pedal live to introduce interesting harmonics & FX. Usually 27" or 28" Baritones are used for 6 string Drop E applications.
Drop D♯/Drop E♭ – D♯-A♯-d♯-G♯-C-F / E♭-B♭-e♭-A♭-C-F Five and one half steps down from Drop D, or one half step up from Drop D1. This can also be a Drop D# standard octave variant tuning modeled on an 8 string D#-G#-d#-g#-C#-F#-A#-d#. Gravemind uses an altered version of Drop D# (which is a 6-string Drop A# with the low D#) on their album Conduit. Meshuggah also used Drop D# for some of their songs (e.g.: "Stengah," "Shed").
Drop D1 – D-A-d-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop D. 8 string example; D-A-d-a-d-G-B-E. Black Tongue uses this tuning. Meshuggah also used it for "Obsidian" and "This Spiteful Snake".
Drop C♯1/Drop D♭1 – C♯-G♯-c♯-F♯-A♯-D♯ / D♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B♭-E♭ Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop C♯/Drop D♭, Used by Loathe (C#-A-E-a-D-F♯/G♭)
Drop C1 – C-G-c-F-A-D Six full steps (one octave) down from Drop C.
Drop C♯/Drop D♭ in standard variation – C♯-A-D-G-B-E Standard tuning but with the 6th string lowered one and a half steps. Used by Sevendust tuned one and a half-step down (which goes as: A#-F#-B-E-G#-C#) on some songs from Home through Alpha.
Drop C in standard variation – C-A-D-G-B-E Standard tuning but with the 6th string lowered two whole steps. Used by Mark Tremonti on the song "My Champion" (tuned down a half-step; Myles is in Open F# tuning) as well as Sevendust on the song "Mountain" tuned down one and a half steps. (which goes A-F#-B-E-G#-C#) Also used by John Mayer on the song "Neon", and by Chino Moreno of Deftones on some songs such as "Swerve City" , "Leathers" and "Hearts/Wires", tuned down a full step (A#-G-C-F-A-D), This variation was also used by Periphery on "Totla Mad" from their Self-Titled album and "Frak the Gods" on "Icarus EP". Olivia Rodrigo's 2021 single good 4 u is played live in CADG tuning on bass, however in the studio was recorded on a 5 string bass (BEADG).
Drop B-E – B-E-D-G-b-e Standard tuning with the 6th and 5th string lowered two and a half steps down. Used by Tool in the songs "Parabol" and "Parabola".
Drop A in standard variation – A-a-D-G-B-E: The 6th string is dropped to A while the other strings retain their standard tuning. Used by Helmet on "Biscuits for Smut", Foo Fighters on "Stacked Actors", Avenged Sevenfold on "G", Opeth on the song "Sorceress", and the Melvins on "Boris". Used by Every Time I Die on the songs "Indian Giver", "Fear and Trembling" and "Nothing Visible; Ocean Empty". A 7-string version of this tuning is used by Muse on their song "Citizen Erased", tuned A-a-D-d-G-B-E, as well as on Supremacy, which features a standard six-string guitar. Sevendust uses this tuning a half-step down on "Home". Periphery uses this tuning, but tuned 1 step down on "Reptile", The band Architects also use this tuning, but tuned one and a half step down, since their album Lost Forever // Lost Together released in 2014 and Wage War tuned 2 steps down on several songs[57]
Drop A in D standard variation – A-G-C-F-a-D: Used by Mastodon on most of their first album (Remission) and on some songs on other albums. Also utilized by Nothing More and Periphery (primarily on more recent material) Also used on occasion by Black Label Society, who previously tuned it a half-step up, which Alter Bridge also utilizes on some of their songs such as "Broken Wings", "Come to Life", "I Know it Hurts", "Still Remains", "Breath Again", and "All Hope is Gone." Creed, Architects, all use this tuning tuned a half-step down on their songs "Bread of Shame", "Early Grave" respectively. Danish industrial metal band Raunchy used this tuning tuned one and a half-step down (F#-E-A-D-f#-B) on the song "Dim the Lights and Run" from the album A Discord Electric.
Drop G in C standard variation – G-F-A#-D#-g-C: Used by Bring Me the Horizon on a few songs from their album Suicide Season, "Blacklist" from There Is A Hell and "heavy metal" from amo,[58]Wage War also utilize this tuning on several songs on their first three albums, such as "The River" and "Spineless" off their album Blueprints.
These tunings are derived by systematic increases or decreases to standard tuning.
Lowered (standard)
D tuning.
Derived from standard EADGBE, all the strings are tuned lower by the same interval, thus providing the same chord positions transposed to a lower key. Lower tunings are popular among rock and heavy metal bands. The reason for tuning down below standard pitch is usually either to accommodate a singer's vocal range or to get a deeper/heavier sound.[59]
G♯/A♭ tuning – G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ / A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ Four full steps down from standard tuning. Utilized by Cannibal Corpse on some songs. Used by death/doom metal band Encoffination. Also used by Mark Tremonti on the song "In the Deep" (Myles Kennedy uses a 6-string guitar tuned to Drop Db in the song).
G tuning – G-C-F-A♯-D-G / G-C-F-B♭-D-G Four and a half steps down from standard tuning. Used by the doom metal band Warhorse and the brutal death metal band Mortician and the sludge metal project Foreigns.
F♯/G♭ tuning – F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ Five full steps from standard tuning. Used by the death metal band Disfiguring the Goddess.
F tuning – F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-F / F-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-F Five and a half steps down from standard tuning. Used by the deathgrind band Maruta, the instrumental doom metal band Bongripper, and the progressive metal band Meshuggah (however the band uses 8-string guitars).
Octave tuning – E-A-D-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from standard tuning. The Low E has the same fundamental frequency as a bass guitar, essentially the same standard tuning as a bass guitar but with a high B and E added to mimic a regular guitar. This tuning is used on the Fender Bass VI and similar instruments. Notably used by John Lennon and George Harrison with the Beatles, Robert Smith of the Cure, Jack Bruce of Cream, and Deftones bassist Sergio Vega on their album Gore. In his early days with Ronnie Hawkins, future Band bassist Rick Danko was also seen with a Fender Bass VI. This is the tuning Earth used on their seminal drone doom album, Earth 2. Also used in some doom metal and sludge metal bands such as Wetlands and Thou.
From standard EADGBE, all the strings are tuned up by the same interval. String tension will be higher. Typically requires thinner gauge strings, particularly the first string which could be as thin as six thousandths of an inch (about the thickness of a single human hair). A capo is typically preferred over these tunings, as they do not increase neck strain, etc. The advantage of these tunings is that they allow an extended upper note range versus a capo used with standard tuning which limits the number of notes that can be played; in some cases, instruo B♭ or E♭ (such as saxophones, which were frequently encountered in early rock and roll music) are more easily played when the accompanying guitar plays chords in the higher tuning. If standard gauge strings are used, the result is often a "brighter" or "tighter" sound; this was a common practice for some bluegrass bands in the 1950s, notably Flatt & Scruggs.
F♯/G♭ tuning – F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ One full step up from standard. Primary tuning for the band The Chameleons. Johnny Marr also used this tuning extensively with The Smiths. British singer-songwriter Dave Mason also plays in F#. Alex Lifeson of Rush used this tuning on the song "The Big Money". Tremonti uses a variation of this tuning where only the 6th string is raised to F# while the rest of the guitar stays in standard tuning, and then tuning down the whole guitar one and a half steps, on the song "Trust".
G tuning also known as Terz tuning (sometimes spelled "Tierce", "Third", or "Tertz", all of which are acceptable) – G-C-F-A♯-D-G / G-C-F-B♭-D-G One and a half steps up from standard.
G♯/A♭ tuning – G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ / A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ Two full steps up from standard.
A tuning – A-D-G-C-E-A Two and a half steps up from standard. This is the standard tuning for the Lapstick travel guitar.
A♯/B♭ – A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-A♯ / B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭ Three full steps up from standard.
Double-dropped
Double drop D tuning.Double drop D tuning (listen)
Similar to the dropped tunings, except that both the 1st and 6th strings are dropped one full step.
Double Drop D – D-A-D-G-B-D Standard tuning but with the 1st and 6th strings dropped one full step. Favored by Neil Young. Has also been used by Lamb of God on some of their earlier songs. America used a variation for "Horse with No Name" in which the 5th string is also dropped, to E. It was also used on Led Zeppelin's Going to California
Double Drop C♯/Drop D♭ – C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-C♯ / D♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B♭-D♭/ Same as [Double] Drop D, but every string is dropped one half step. Used by the acoustic rock band Days of the New. Also used by Our Lady Peace on the song "Starseed", as well as Los Angeles based Alternative band Failure on several songs. Also used by Tremonti on the song "Fall Again", as well as Myles Kennedy on the song "Cry a River" (Mark is tuned to Drop C#)
Double Drop C – C-G-C-F-A-C One full step down from Drop D. Used by End and Sevendust on the song "Seasons".
Double Drop B – B-F♯-B-E-G♯-B / B-G♭-B-E-A♭-B/ One and one half steps down from Drop D. Used by Aaron Turner of Isis and used by Sevendust on the song "Separate".
Double Drop A♯/Drop B♭ – A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G-A♯ / B♭-F-B♭-E♭-G-B♭ Two full steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop A – A-E-A-D-F♯-A / A-E-A-D-G♭-A Two and one half steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop G♯/Drop A♭ – G♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-G♯ / A♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-A♭ Three full steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop G – G-D-G-C-E-G Three and one half steps down from Drop D.
Double Drop F♯/Drop G♭ – F♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-F♯ / G♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-G♭ Four full steps down from Drop D, or two full steps up from Drop D1.
Double Drop F – F-C-F-A♯-D-F / F-C-F-B♭-D-F Four and one half steps down from Drop D, or one and a half steps up from Drop D1.
Double Drop E – E-B-E-A-C♯-E / E-B-E-A-D♭-E Five full steps down from Drop D, or one full step up from Drop D1.
Double Drop D♯/Double Drop E♭ – D♯-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-D♯ / E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-E♭ Five and one half steps down from Drop D, or one half step up from Drop D1.
Double Drop D1 Tuning – D-A-D-G-B-D Six full steps (one octave) down from Double Drop D.
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012)
DADGAD was developed by Davey Graham in the early 1960s when he was travelling in Morocco, to more easily play along with Oud music. Among the first to use this tuning were the folk-blues guitarists of the '60s like Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Martin Carthy, and John Martyn. It was many years later in the 1970s that it became established for accompanists of traditional music, predominantly Scottish and Irish. Due to this popularity it is sometimes referred to as "Celtic" tuning, although this is misleading given its origin and its primary early use in a quite different field of music. Often vocalized as "Dad-Gad", DADGAD it is now common in Celtic music. In rock music, has been used in Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir".[8]Pierre Bensusan is another noted exponent of this tuning. The post-metal group Russian Circles also employ this tuning, and also plays it tuned a half-step down: D♭-A♭-d♭-g♭-a♭-d♭'. Four down-tuned variations are used by the band Sevendust: A Drop C# variation, or C♯-G♯-c♯-f♯-g♯-c♯', Also uses a variation where the lowest string is dropped to G♯ on the song "Chop", A Drop C variation, or 'C-G-c-f-g-c'. (used on the song "Unraveling". Also uses a variation where the lowest string is dropped to G, used on some songs from Kill the Flaw and the song "Life Deceives You"), a Drop B variation, or B'-F♯-B-e-f♯-b, and a Drop A# variation, or A♯'-F-A♯-d♯-f-a♯. Neighboring tunings D-A-d-e-a-e' and C-G-c-d-g-a have been used by Martin Carthy, and D-A-d-a-a-d' was used by Dave Wakeling on the English Beat's 1983 "Save It For Later" and by My Bloody Valentine on the song "Sometimes" from Loveless (1991).
Dad-Dad
DADDAD tuning (listen)
D-A-d-d-a-d'
Nicknamed - "Papa-Papa". DADDAD is common in folk music (Irish, Scottish), and for the execution of a rhythm guitar in "heavy" (alternative music) on 6th on the third string at the same time. To reach the tuning from DADGAD, Open D or Open D Minor, the G string is dropped to D so that the 3rd and 4th strings are tuned to the same pitch. DADDAD tuning is sometimes used on Dobro guitars for rock and blues. Notable users of this tuning include Billy McLaughlin and John Butler.
Cello/Standard guitar
C-G-d-a-b-e'
Essentially a cello tuning with the deeper four strings in fifths and the two highest strings in standard guitar tuning. Used on numerous Pavement songs (including Cut Your Hair) and by Foo Fighters on the song "Weenie Beenie".
"Karnivool" tuning
B-F♯-b-g-b-e'
Hybrid tuning between drop B-tuning and E-standard. Used by the band Karnivool for many of their songs.
Variation:
B-F♯-b-f♯-b-e'
The hybrid tuning with the 3rd string lowered a half-step to create a larger power chord, Also used by Karnivool.
Mi-composé
E-A-d'-g-b-e'
Mi-composé is a tuning commonly used for rhythm guitar in African popular music forms such as soukous and makossa.[61] It is similar to the standard guitar tuning, except that the d string is raised an entire octave. This is accomplished by replacing the d string with an e' string and tuning it to d'.
This is a tuning favored by the Swedish singer-songwriter José González. He uses this on such songs as "Crosses", "Heartbeats" and "Cycling Trivialities" (capo on second fret). It is similar to the standard guitar tuning, but the low E string is dropped to D and the G string is dropped a half step to F♯/G♭. Also used by artists such as M. Ward, Stephen Malkmus, and Day Wave.
Dadd9 tuning
D-A-D-F#-A-E
This tuning is used by Tonic in their song Soldier's Daughter with a capo on the 4th fret, Periphery uses this tuning a full step down on the song "Scarlet".
Mr.Tom tuning
D-F#-A-E-F#-A
This tuning was made by songwriter/composer Mr.Tom (Rawding) during the creation of an original indie folk instrumental "When You Stand By Me".[62] The tuning is based on the Open D tuning.
Liberty tuning
E-A-D-g-c'-e'
Promoted by Harvey Reid for use in combination with a partial capo, as a system which is easier for children to learn.
A combination of Drop Ab and Drop Db, Used by Mike Mushok on many songs, especially from Dysfunction and Break the Cycle.
Variation:
Gb-Db-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb
The previous tuning with the 6th string an additional step down, used on the song "Price to Play" and for all but one song on the Self-Titled album, these songs are played live on a 7-string with a high Eb due to some leads being tracked in a higher tuning.
The open strings of a guitar can be tuned to microtonal intervals, however microtonal scales cannot easily be played on a conventional guitar because the frets only allow for a chromatic scale of twelve equally spaced pitches, each a semitone apart. (Certain microtonal scales, particularly quarter tones, can be played on a standard guitar solely by adjusting tunings, but the distance between notes on the scale makes it somewhat impractical.) It is possible to play microtonal scales on a fretless guitar, to convert a fretted guitar into a fretless, or to make a custom neck with a specific microtonal fret spacing.
Guitars can also be refretted to a microtonal scale.[63] On many refretted microtonal guitars, the frets are split, so that the tuning of each string is independent from the others. To enable an adjustable microtonal tuning, there exist guitars with frets that can be moved across the fingerboard.[64][65]
Extended techniques such as the 3rd bridge technique, slide guitar and prepared guitar techniques can be used to produce microtonality without severe modification to the instrument.
Guitar tunings inspired by other Instruments
In his on-line guide to alternative tunings for six-string guitars, William Sethares mentions several that are inspired by instruments other than guitars, for example:
This tuning may also be used with a capo at the third fret to match the common lute pitch: G-c-f-a-d'-g'. This tuning also matches standard vihuela tuning and is often employed in classical guitar transcriptions of music written for those instruments, such as, for instance, "La Canción Del Emperador" and "Diferencias Sobre Guardame Las Vacas" by Renaissance composer Luis de Narváez, or music inspired by this style, such as "Pavanna" and "Bicycle Tune" by John Renbourn.
When the guitar evolved from the renaissance lute in the 18th century it was a five-string instrument (baroque guitar). Today, five-string guitars are common in Brazil, where they are known as guitarra baiana and are typically tuned in 5ths. Schecter Guitar Research produced a production model five-string guitar called the Celloblaster in 1998.[66] A five-string tuning may be necessary in a pinch when a string breaks on a standard six-string (usually the high E) and no replacement is immediately available.
Some basic five-string tunings include:
Standard – E-A-d-g-b The standard tuning, without the top E string attached. Alternative variants are easy from this tuning, but because several chords inherently omit the lowest string, it may leave some chords relatively thin or incomplete with the top string missing (the D chord, for instance, must be fretted 5-4-3-2-3 to include F#, the tone a major third above D).
Baroque guitar standard tuning – a–D–g–b–e The predecessor of today's six-string classical guitar was the five-string baroque guitar tuned as the five high strings of a six-string guitar with the A raised one octave.
High C – E-A-d-g-c' Standard tuning with the B tuned a half step higher to C to emulate a six-string bass guitar, minus the low B. This is an all fourths tuning.
Celloblaster or Guitello – C-G-d-a-e' An all fifths tuning as used on cello or mandolin, extended to five strings. Used by the noise-rock band Lightning Bolt, and by Jeffrey McFarland-Johnson on his Bach Cello Suites album.[67]
Baritone – E-A-d-f♯-b In this tuning, the fourth (G) string is lowered a half-step, thus recreating the intervals between the top five strings, lowered a perfect fourth. Though chords can easily and more fully be played from this tuning, it sometimes results in awkward inversions, a relatively minor problem if the five-string is played in an ensemble with a bass guitar.
E-A-c♯-f♯-b Simulates the top four strings, followed by the second-from-bottom string on top, raised a whole step (the F♯ representing both the top and bottom E). It makes playing in the key of A major easier, though chord fingerings have to be altered unless the strings are rearranged to F♯-B-E-A-C♯.
Open G tuning – G-d-g-b-d' Some slide/bottleneck guitarists omit the bottom E string when playing in open G to have the root note as the tonic. This tuning is used by Keith Richards.
Open E♭5 tuning – E♭-B♭-e♭-b♭-e♭' This is achieved by removing the fourth (G) string, tuning both Es and the B down a half step, and the A and D strings up a half-step. This creates a five-string power chord.
Jacob Collier's "mirrored" tuning – D-A-e-a-d' As explained to the guitarist Paul Davids in a YouTube video [68]. Jacob Collier can be seen and heard playing a custom made acoustic or electric five-string (almost?) any time he plays guitar. He claims that this tuning allows beginners easier access to guitar playing.
This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012)
Seven-string
Similar to five-string bass guitar tuning, seven-string tuning allows for the extra string a fourth lower than the original sixth string. This allows for the note range of B standard tuning without transposing E standard guitar chords down two and a half steps down. Baritone 7-string guitars are available which features a longer scale-length allowing it to be tuned to a lower range.
Drop D 7-string tuning – D-D-A-d-g-b-e' This is the standard seven-string tuning with the low B string raised to D and lower E string dropped to D. The Drop C variation of this tuning (C-C-G-C-F-A-D) was used by James Hetfield on an ESP 7-String Guitar when Metallica were recording the song "Some Kind Of Monster" from the album St. Anger.
Drop A 7-string tuning – A'-E-A-d-g-b-e' This is the standard seven-string tuning with the low B string dropped to A.
Standard Choro tuning – C-E-A-d-g-b-e' Standard seven-string tuning for Brazilian choro.
Drop D + B 7-string tuning – B'-D-A-d-g-b-e' Standard seven-string tuning with the low E dropped to D, which results in a minor 3rd interval between the two lowest strings of B and D. Used by Ed Sloan of Crossfade. Also used by Animals as Leaders on the song "CAFO". A flat variation of this tuning is used by Periphery on the song "Racecar".
Drop D + A 7-string tuning – A'-D-A-d-g-b-e' Seven-string tuning with the low E string dropped to D and a low A added below. Used extensively by Dir En Grey since the album "Dum Spiro Spero" as well as the song "Obscure" from the album Vulgar. Also used by Stam1na.
Thirds tuning – E-G♯-c-e-g♯-c'-e' Same range as standard six-string. Allows over two full chromatic octaves without changing position, slides or bends.
All fourths tuning – B'-E-A-d-g-c'-f' Expands the major third between the second and third strings, extending range a half step higher.
Russian Tuning – D-G-B-D-g-b-d 6-string Open G tuning with additional 5th B-string. Was a standard tuning for classic 7-string guitars in Russia in the 19th to 20th centuries.
G♯/A♭ tuning – G♯'-C♯-F♯-B-e-g♯-c♯' / A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e-a♭-d♭' One and one half steps down from standard. Used by bands such as Deftones on their self-titled album and "Beware", Korn (on the song "Alone I Break", but on 14-string guitars). Also used by Mark Tremonti on the song "Show Me A Leader" (Myles uses a 6-String guitar tuned to D# Standard) and Spiritbox on "Electric Cross".
G tuning – G'-C-F-A♯-d♯-g-c' / G'-C-F-B♭-e♭-g-c' Two full steps down from standard tuning. Used by Vildhjarta (G-C-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-c) and Luc Lemay of Gorguts[69]
F♯/G♭ tuning – F♯'-B'-E-A-d-f♯-b / G♭'-B'-E-A-d-g♭-b Two and one half steps down from standard. Used by Danish band Mnemic in the albums Passenger, Sons of the System, and Mnemesis. Fear Factory also used this tuning for their cover of Wiseblood's "0-0 (Where Evil Dwells)", while their all other songs tuned in F♯/G♭ were played with eight-string guitars.
F tuning – F'-A♯'-D♯-G♯-c♯-f-a♯ / F'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-d♭-f-b♭ Three full steps down from standard. Used by Suicide Silence on the song "Witness The Addiction", Crystal Lake and Meshuggah during the recording of Nothing. The songs are played live using 8 string guitars.
E tuning – E'-A'-D-G-c-e-a Three and a half steps down from standard.
F Tuning with Low E – E'-A♯'-D♯-G♯-c♯-f-a♯ / E'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-d♭-f-b♭ Used by Meshuggah on "Stengah", "Perpetual Black Second", "Glints Collide" and "Organic Shadows" from the Nothing album and on "Marrow" from the album Koloss, although the other guitar was in F. The songs are now performed on 8-String Guitars.
D♯/E♭ tuning – D♯'-G♯'-C♯-F♯-B-d♯-g♯ / E♭'-A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e♭-a♭ Four full steps down from standard. Used by Meshuggah on the song "Nebulous" from the album Nothing. Originally recorded on 7-String Guitars tuned down, the band switched to 8-String Guitars shortly after the album was released. The band play the song live a full step up from the original in F Standard Tuning on 8-String Guitars.
D tuning – D'-G'-C-F-A♯-d-g / D'-G'-C-F-B♭-d-g Four and one half steps down from standard.
C♯/D♭ tuning – C♯'-F♯'-B'-E-A-c♯-f♯ / D♭'-G♭'-B'-E-A-d♭-g♭/ Five full steps down from standard.
C tuning – C'-F'-A♯'-D♯-G♯-c-f / C'-F'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-c-f Five and one half steps down from standard.
Octave Tuning – B"-E'-A'-D-G-B-e Six full steps (one octave) down from standard tuning.
High A – E-A-d-g-b-e'-a' – Standard tuning with a high 'A' instead of a low 'B'. Because of the high pitch of the 'A' string, it usually requires a multi-scale fingerboard (fanned frets) to provide enough tension.
C tuning – C-F-A♯-d♯-g-c'-f' / C-F-B♭-e♭-g-c'-f' Half a step up from standard, used by Eddie Rendini during his time in Cold.
C♯ tuning – C♯-F♯-B-e-a-c♯-f♯ The whole step up from standard. This tuning was used by Wes Borland with high E-string being lowered to C♯ (C♯-F♯-B-e-a-c♯-c♯) on the first two Limp Bizkit records.
Dropped
These tunings have the lowest string (or other strings tuned one full step lower allowing for chord structures similar to six-string drop tunings.
Drop B variations – B-F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / B-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯-F♯ / B-G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ a tuning which imitates the standard drop B tuning of a 6 string electric guitar, but with a high F♯ for soloing. Used by bands such as All Shall Perish, Decapitated, Unearth, and Assemble the Chariots,
Drop A#/Drop Bb variations – A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-F / A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G-C-F tuning combining 6-string Drop A♯, with a high F string, half-step above Drop A, Used by TesseracT and Monuments (A♯-F-A♯-D♯-f-a♯-d♯)
Drop A – alternatively, A-E-A-D-F#-B-E The same as drop A tuning for a 6-string on the low strings while retaining a high E. In effect converts a 7-string into a drop A baritone guitar, but with standard tuning's soloing capability. Used by Lorna Shore, Volumes, and Whitechapel on the song "This Is Exile".
Drop F♯/Drop G♭ – F♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯ / G♭-D♭-G♭-B-E-A♭-D♭ One and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Deftones (on their Saturday Night Wrist album), Rivers of Nihil, Shokran, Volumes, Spiritbox, Erra (on some songs from Neon and ERRA), and Thornhill.
Drop F – F-C-F-A♯-D♯-G-C / F-C-F-B♭-E♭-G-C / Two full steps down from standard Drop A. This tuning is used on three tracks on Attack Attack!'s album This Means War: "The Hopeless," "The Abdu/ction," and "The Wretched." The bands DVSR, Northlane (F-B♭-F-B♭-E♭-G-C), 3TEETH (on "Metawar"), The Acacia Strain (8 string guitars), Vildhjarta (F-C-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C), Aversions Crown (8 string guitars) Reflections, Carnifex (8 string guitars), and "Conan" use this tuning as well. Triumphant Return uses a variation of this tuning (F-C-G-C-F-A-D).
Drop E1 – E-B-E-A-D-F♯-B / E-B-E-A-D-G♭-B Two and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Oceano, Currents and Erra on their most recent singles and Invent, Animate since their album "Heavener". A variant of this tuning is used by Vildhjarta (E-C-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C) On their album "Måsstaden under vatten" a Pitch Shifter is heavily utilized and Northlane (E-A-E-A-D-F♯-B) On "Vultures" and "Paradigm" on Alien and "Abomination" and "Inamorata" on Obsidian.
Drop D1♯/Drop E1♭ – D♯-A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F-A♯ / E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭ Three full steps down from standard Drop A. A variation of this tuning is used by Northlane since the Alien album (E♭-A♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-F-B♭) and also used by Invent, Animate on the song "Absence Persistent", as well as regular Drop D♯ on the majority of their album "Heavener".
Drop D1 – D-A-D-G-C-E-A Three and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Black Tongue, Northlane on "Eclipse" and "Dark Solitaire" (D-G-D-G-C-E-A), Spiritbox on "Yellowjacket" and Invent, Animate on their song "Elysium" from their album "Heavener".
Drop C1♯/Drop D1♭ – D♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B-E♭-A♭ / C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-D♯-G♯ Four full steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop C1 – C-G-C-F-A♯-D-G / C-G-C-F-B♭-D-G Four and one half steps down from standard Drop A. Used by Within the Ruins on the album Phenomena with the variation C-F-c-f-A#-D-G.
Drop B0 – B-F♯-B-E-A-C♯-F♯ / B-G♭-B-E-A-D♭-G♭ Five full steps down from standard Drop A. Six full steps (one octave) down from a baritone Drop B guitar
Drop A♯/Drop B♭ – A♯-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-C-F / B♭-F-B♭-E♭-A♭-C-F Five and one half steps down from standard Drop A.
Drop A0 tuning – A-E-A-D-G-B-E Six full steps (one octave) down from standard Drop A.
Drop G#0 tuning -G♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-D♯ (One octave below drop G#). Used by American deathcore band Anzu.
G + A# Standard – G-A#-D#-G#-C#-F-A# 6 String A# tuning with a low G1 on the bottom, Used by Crystal Lake[70] since 2015.
Alternate Drop A0 Tuning - A-D-A-D-G-E-E 6 string Drop D with an low A but an octave lower with the high B string tuned to the same E as the 1st string. Used by Admiral Angry where they took 5 string bass guitars and converted them into 7 string guitars.
Eight-string
A continuation of the seven-string guitar, the eight-string guitar adds another string a perfect fourth lower than the low B of the seven-string guitar. This additional low F♯ string is just a whole step up from a bass guitars low E string.
F tuning – F'-B♭'-E♭-A♭-d♭-g♭-b♭-e♭' Half a step down from standard tuning. Used famously by Meshuggah, as well as After The Burial, Butcher Babies, and Carnifex on some songs, Galactic Pegasus uses a variation of this tuning with the 7th string tuned down to A♭, mostly used on the "Pariah" EP.
E tuning – E'-A'-D-G-c-f-a-d' One full step down from standard tuning. Used by Meshuggah on "Stengah", "Perpetual Black Second", "Glints Collide" and "Organic Shadows" from the album Nothing and Korn on their Untitled album and on songs "Illuminati" and "Way Too Far" from their The Path of Totality album.
E♭ tuning- E♭'-A♭'-D♭-G♭-B-e-a♭-d♭' One and a half steps down from standard tuning. Used by Meshuggah on "Nebulous" from the album Nothing and Dissipate on their Tectonics EP.
D tuning – D'-G'-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c' Two full steps down from standard tuning.
D♭ tuning – D♭'-G♭'-B-E-a-d-g♭-b' Two and a half steps down from standard tuning
A tuning – A"-D'-G'-C-F-A-d-g Three and a half steps down from standard tuning.
Higher
High A tuning – B'-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a' Standard seven string tuning with a 'high a' Used by Rusty Cooley.
All fourths tuning – F♯'-B'-E-A-d-g-c'-f' Regular tuning which extends range a half step higher.
Dropped
Drop E 8-string tuning – E-B-E-A-D-G-B-E A combination of standard 7-string tuning and the 8th string dropped one full step from F♯ to E. Allows to play in the range of a standard electric bass, as well as one-finger power chords. Used by Animals as Leaders on most songs.[71] and Whitechapel (on the songs "Devolver" and "Breeding Violence" from A New Era of Corruption) Also used by Deftones on Koi No Yokan and Gore, Allegaeon, and Emmure on the song "N.I.A. (News in Arizona)". An open variation of this tuning is used by Hacktivist with 3rd and 4th strings tuned a whole step up to A and E respectively (E-B-E-A-E-A-B-E). Also used by Born of Osiris on the songs "Silence the Echo" and "Crossface", Chelsea Grin on more recent material and by Carcosa. Fractalize also used this tuning on "Visions" from the Phophet Of Despair EP and "Sightless" from the Immersion album.
Drop A + E 8-string tuning – E-A-E-A-D-G-B-E A combination of 7-string drop A tuning and an 8th string dropped one full step from F♯ to E, allowing both power chords rooted on A, and easy fingering with the E a fourth below. This is the tuning of the lowest two strings of a bass, along with all strings of a standard 6-string guitar in standard tuning. It is used by Rings Of Saturn on the album Lugal Ki En and Mick Gordon on much of his work on the DOOM and DOOM Eternal soundtracks, notably Rip And Tear, BFG Division and Meathook.
Drop A + E (variation) – E-A-E-A-D-F♯-B-E A variation on Drop E, A with the G flattened one half step to F♯; this tuning is identical to 6-string Drop A, with two E strings added: one above, and one below. Like Drop E + A; this tuning allows easy fingering on the E since it is a standard fourth interval below the A. It also provides three high strings a fourth apart instead of the usual two. The tuning is used by Infant Annihilator on their albums The Elysian Grandeval Galèriarch and The Battle of Yaldabaoth.
Drop E♭/D♯ 8-string tuning – E♭-B♭-E♭-A♭-D♭-G♭-B♭-E♭ Half a step down from drop E tuning. Used by Meshuggah in the album Catch Thirty-Three, in the song Shed and used by Emmure in the album Speaker of the Dead in the song "Word of Intulo". Also used by After the Burial in the song "To Carry You Away" off of the album In Dreams and the song "To Challenge Existence" from the album Evergreen, The band Ion Dissonance used a variation of this tuning (D#-G#-C#-F#-C#-F#-A#-D#)[72] from Cursed onwards. The death metal band Devourment uses the tuning starting from the album Obscene Majesty.
Drop D 8-string tuning – D-A-D-G-C-F-A-D One full step down from drop E. Used by Meshuggah on the song "Obsidian" (D-A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-D♯). Also used by Issues in the song "Tapping Out", Reflections on the "Willow" album, Enterprise Earth, along with some altered variations of the tuning and Mick Gordon on few tracks of the DOOM Eternal soundtrack.
Drop D + G (variation) D-G-D-G-C-E-A-D Combination of 6-string Drop G, with two D strings added: one above, and one below. Used by industrial and djent composer E.M.M.P.
Drop C♯ 8-string tuning – C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯ One and a half steps down from drop E. Used by Enox, Issues on the song "Downfall", Fractalize on "Prophet Of Despair", "Void" and most of the Immersion album. Although they use an altered version of the tuning to utilize the dissonant voicings (C♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-A). Galactic Pegasus used this tuning on "Rhetoric". A variant of this tuning is also used by Distinguisher on most of their songs, as well as IAMONE (C♯-F♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-G♯-C♯).
Drop C 8-string tuning – C-G-C-F-A♯-D♯-G-C Two full steps down from Drop E. Used by bands like Bound In Fear, Distant (some songs on the Aeons of Oblivion album), False Images, Black Tongue (on their album Nadir), Skyburial, Vyletongue, Terror District, Lowlife, and Instill Terror.
Drop C♯ + A 8-string tuning – C♯-A-E-A-D-G-B-E Standard 8-string tuning with the 8th string dropped 5 half steps from F♯ to C♯ and the 7th string dropped one full step from B to A. this tuning is used by Animals as Leaders on the songs "New Eden" and "Physical Education" using a guitar with two extra frets on the 8th and the 7th string. Also used by Kevin Sherwood (On his songs Pareidolia & Coming Home from the Call of Duty: Nazi Zombie mode)
Drop C♯ + B 8-string tuning – C♯-B-E-A-D-G-B-E Standard 8-string tuning with the 8th string dropped 5 half steps to C♯, Used by Periphery on "Hell Below."
Drop A♯ + A# 8-string tuning – A♯-A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-A♯-D♯ F Standard 8-String tuning with the 8th string dropped another 7 half steps. Used by Meshuggah on "Spasm" on the album Nothing. When the song was originally recorded, it was originally recorded on 7-String Guitars tuned A#-A#-D#-G#-C#-F-A#. Due to the loose tension on the lowest string, Mårten and Fredrik only played the lowest string.
Open D Tuning - D-A-D-A-D-F#-A-D 3rd string half a step down. The eighth and seventh string is tuned down two full steps, the sixth string is tuned down a full step. The fifth and fourth strings are left alone and the two highest strings are tuned down a full step. This tuning has been used by Dean Murphy in some of his songs.
Nine-string
A continuation of the eight-string guitar, the nine-string guitar adds a string lower or higher.
Standard 9-string tuning – C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'. Used by Mick Gordon for the Doom soundtrack, and by Animals As Leaders for Private Visions of the World. Also used by Deftones on the album Ohms.
Lower
C1 tuning – C-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-c♯-f♯-a♯-d♯ One half step from standard tuning.
B0 tuning – B-E-A-D-G-c-f-a-d One full step from standard tuning. Gives the range of a five-string electric bass as well as a 6-string guitar in D tuning.
A#0 Tuning -A♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-b-e-g♯-c♯ A step and a half step from standard tuning.
A0 Tuning — A-D-G-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c Two whole steps down from standard 9-String tuning.
Higher
High A – F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a'
Dropped
Drop E + B 9-string tuning – B-E-B-E-A-d-g-b-e Gives the range of a five-string electric bass as well as a seven-string electric guitar in standard tuning. Used by Rings of Saturn for their song The Husk and Andrew Baena on "How to Sink".
Drop B 9-string tuning – B-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e 9-string guitar in standard tuning with the lowest string dropped two half steps down to B0, the same note as on the lowest string of a 5-string electric bass. Used by Rob Scallon for his song Rogue and Andrew Baena on some songs such as "Massassi". Fractalize used this tuning on "Fault Lines" from the Immersion album, although they recorded it on 8-String Guitars.
Double Drop A# - A#-F-A#-D#-G#-c#-f#-a#-d# 9 String Standard down a half step and then drop tuned from C to A#0. A variation of this tuning is used by Fractalize on the song "Instant" from the Immersion, but they use 8-String Guitars. The tuning used on the song is A#-E-A#-D#-G#-c#-f-f#.
Double Drop A – A-E-A-E-A-d-g-b-e This is the 7-string drop A tuning with another E and A string added one octave lower. Used by Rings of Saturn, and "Akuma" by Galactic Pegasus. This tuning is also used by Fractalize on the songs "Suneater" on the Prophets Of Despair EP and on "Fragment" on the Immersion album. They use 8-String Guitars.
Drop A 9-string tuning – A-E-A-D-G-c-f-a-d Standard 9-string tuning tuned one whole step down, and the lowest string dropped another whole step. A variant of this tuning is used by Josh Travis of Emmure (A-D-A-D-C(16 cents sharp)-C-G-G#-E). Mick Gordon also uses this tuning on the DOOM 2016 soundtrack for a couple tracks, notably "Flesh and Metal" (A-D-A-D-A-D-G-B-E).[73] also a variation used by American deathcore band nitheful (A-E-A-D-A-D-G-B-E) on their most recent album release creation ov god. Also used by Andrew Baena on his video "What If Djent 2019 Tuned Down" (A-D-A-D-G-C-F-A-D).
Double Drop G♯ - G♯-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-b-e-g♯-c♯ Used by the band Carthage on their song "Years And Darkness", from their 2012 album "Salt The Earth".
Double Drop G — G-D-G-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c. An alternate version was used by Andrew Baena on the video "What If Djent 2019 Tuned Down" (G-C-G-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c.) He used a pitch shifter on his 9-String Guitar which was tuned to A-D-A-D-G-C-F-A-D.
Drop F 9-string tuning – F-C-F-A#-D#-g#-c#-f-a# Used by American deathcore band Anzu.[74]
Drop F Variation) — F-C-F-C-F-a♯-d♯-g-c. This tuning is exactly like the previously mentioned A-E-A-E-A-D-G-B-E tuning but 2 whole steps lower. Used by the Vocaloid metal band One Minute Winter.
Other
After The Burial 9-string tuning – C♯-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-c♯-f♯-a♯-d♯ Standard 9-string tuning with the top 8 strings down a half step, Used by After The Burial on songs 'Pennyweight', 'Neo Seoul', 'A Wolf Amongst Ravens' and 'Mire'
As a continuation of the nine-string guitar, the ten-string guitar adds another lower or higher string to the standard tuning.
Standard (continued 4ths) – G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'
G0 tuning – G-C-F-A♯-D♯-G♯-c♯-f♯-a♯-d♯ One half step down from standard tuning.
High A – C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a'
Drop F♯ 10-string tuning – F♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e' 10-string guitar in standard tuning with the lowest string dropped two steps from G♯ to F♯, which is a fourth lower than the low B string on a five-string bass.
Double Drop B – B-F♯-B-E-G♯-e-a-d-g-b This tuning was used by the deathcore band When Blood Falls Down.
Triple Drop C - C-G-C-B-E-A-d-g-b-e Also known as C0 tuning / Drop C0 tuning, it uses the standard tuning of a 7-string guitar with the 8th, 9th and 10th string dropped by 4 steps from double drop E. Due the very low tuning the bottom strings require very heavy strings.
Standard bass plus standard guitar – standard E-A-D-g-b-e tuning for the top six strings and standard E'-A'-G-D bass tuning for the bottom four strings. It is set as a factory tuning for the Agile Septor 1030.
Coma Cluster Void tuning – C-F♯-G-E-F-B-C-G♯-C♯-D' An extremely dissonant tuning used by the band Coma Cluster Void.[75]
Eighteen-string
A special extended range electric guitar made by Ormsby Guitars for Jared Dines for the Djent 2018 event, as of today it is the only guitar of its kind.
Jared Dines tuning – E-D♯-C♯F♯-B-E-D♯-G♯-C♯-F♯-B-E-A-d-g-b-e'-a' the first bottom strings use the regular standard tuning of a 10 strings guitar starting from the 2nd string to the 11th, with the first string tuned to A
Steel guitar
On pedal steel guitar, the most common tunings on double-neck instruments are the extended-chord C6 tuning and E9 tuning, sometimes known as the Texas and Nashville tunings respectively.[76] On a double-neck instrument, the neck nearest the player will normally be some form of C6, and the furthest neck E9.[76]
Necks with 12 or more strings can be used with universal tunings which combine the features of C6 and E9. On a 12-string pedal steel guitar, all 12 strings are tuned and played individually, not as six double courses as on the 12-string guitar.
On a lap steel guitar there may be up to four necks, each tuned differently. The C6 tuning was a common tuning for a six-string lap steel in the 1920s and 1930s.[77]:131 Tunings with a sixth interval are popular in Western swing and jazz, while tunings containing sevenths are often chosen for blues and rock music.[78]
Hannu Annala; Heiki Mätlik (2007). "Composers for other plucked instruments: Rudolf Straube (1717-1785)". Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers. Translated by Katarina Backman. Mel Bay. p.30. ISBN978-0-7866-5844-2.
Guitar Tunings Database (2013). "CCGCEG Guitar Tuner". CCGCEG: OpenC via harmonic overtones. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
Timofeyev, Oleg V. (1999). The golden age of the Russian guitar: Repertoire, performance practice, and social function of the Russian seven-string guitar music, 1800-1850. Duke University, Department of Music. pp.1–584. University Microfilms (UMI), Ann Arbor, Michigan, number9928880.
Borisoff, Jason (September 27, 2010). "How Pedal Steel Guitar Works". makingmusicmagazine.com. Making Music Magazine. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
Denyer, Ralph (1992). "Playing the guitar ('How the guitar is tuned', pp.68–69, and 'Alternative tunings', pp.158–159)". The guitar handbook. Robert Fripp (foreword); Special contributors Isaac Guillory and AlastairM.Crawford (Fully revised and updateded.). London and Sydney: Pan Books. pp.65–160. ISBN0-330-32750-X.
Sethares, Bill (2001). "Regular tunings". Alternate tuning guide(PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin; Department of Electrical Engineering. pp.52–67. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
Sethares, Bill (10 January 2009) [2001]. Alternate tuning guide(PDF). Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin; Department of Electrical Engineering. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkWEXEU3lSc At 0:55 to 0:58, John Hull of Devourment shows something on his pedalboard which is Devourment's current 8-string guitar tuning upside down. The video is in June 1, 2023.
