Erityisvire

Erityisvire is a Finnish term that translates to "special tuning" or "special mode." It refers to non-standard tuning systems for stringed instruments, particularly guitars, where the pitch of the open strings is altered from the conventional tuning. This practice is common in various genres of music, especially folk, rock, and experimental music, allowing for different harmonic possibilities and sonic textures.

Guitarists employ numerous specific examples of erityisvire, each with its own unique naming convention, often descriptive of the resulting sound or the intervals created. These tunings can simplify complex chord voicings, facilitate specific melodic lines, or create a droning quality. For instance, open tunings, where strumming the open strings produces a major or minor chord, are a popular form of erityisvire. Drop tunings, where one or more strings are lowered in pitch, typically a whole step or more, are also considered a type of special tuning.

The use of erityisvire is not exclusive to modern music. Historical tuning systems for lutes and other early instruments also varied significantly from what is considered standard today. While standard tuning (EADGBE for a six-string guitar) remains the most common, erityisvire offers musicians a creative avenue to explore new sounds and expand their compositional and improvisational tools. It requires musicians to adapt their playing technique and chord knowledge to the altered string pitches.