Major thirds | |
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![]() Each major-thirds tuning packs the octave's 12 notes into 3 strings' 4 frets. | |
Basic information | |
Aliases | All-thirds (M3) tuning Augmented tuning |
Interval | Major third |
Semitones | 4 |
Example(s) | G♯–C–E–G♯–C–E |
Advanced information | |
Repetition | After 3 strings |
Advantages | Octave on 4 frets, Major–minor chords on 2 |
Disadvantages | Reduced range on 6 strings |
Left-handed tuning | Minor-sixths tuning |
Regular tunings (semitones) | |
Trivial (0) | |
Minor thirds (3) | |
Major thirds (4) | |
All fourths (5) | |
Augmented fourths (6) | |
New standard (7, 3) | |
All fifths (7) | |
Minor sixths (8) | |
Guitar tunings |
Among alternative tunings for guitar, a major-thirds tuning is a regular tuning in which each interval between successive open strings is a major third ("M3" in musical abbreviation).[1] Other names for major-thirds tuning include major-third tuning, M3 tuning, all-thirds tuning, and augmented tuning. By definition, a major-third interval separates two notes that differ by exactly four semitones (one-third of the twelve-note octave).
The Spanish guitar's tuning mixes four perfect fourths (five semitones) and one major-third, the latter occurring between the G and B strings:
This tuning, which is used for acoustic and electric guitars, is called "standard" in English, a convention that is followed in this article. While standard tuning is irregular, mixing four fourths and one major third, M3 tunings are regular: Only major-third intervals occur between the successive strings of the M3 tunings, for example, the open augmented C tuning.
For each M3 tuning, the open strings form an augmented triad in two octaves.
For guitars with six strings, every major-third tuning repeats its three open-notes in two octaves, so providing many options for fingering chords. By repeating open-string notes and by having uniform intervals between strings, major-thirds tuning simplifies learning by beginners. These features also facilitate advanced guitarists' improvisation,[2][3] precisely the aim of jazz guitarist Ralph Patt when he began popularizing major-thirds tuning between 1963 and 1964.
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