This page is basically an over-glorified reference chart for Peruvian guitar tunings and some basic theory behind them. These tunings through out Peru, Equador, Bolivia, Northern Argentina, Northern Chile and Paraguay as well as in other areas of South America including Brazil, and so on are used with in the respective musics ranging from what you would find in Peru, (Vaulin, Diablo, Sikuri, Taki-yari and other traditions which use the tunings). In Brazil' some alternate tunings are known though to my limited research which I hope to cover more in my music. I know some exist though mostly standard tunings are used. Venezuela does have instruments in which utlize alternate tunings along with standard tunings as well.

Much of these tunings are regional or they are governed in part by the techniques to which they are associated for the guitar. Some tunings emphasise a bass-note and thumb-picking aka "bordon" for guitar. Other tunings are chordal or associate with a particular chord, re-enterant tunings are also featured. Other tunings found through out the rest of the world like Drop-D dadgbe or Open-G dgdgbe are also found in Peruvian guitar music. Often in Cuzco the guitar maybe used to accompany other instruments, Kena, Zamponyas, Charango, Mandolin, bandurria or solo or solo with vocals. Other times the guitar is played solo where much of these tunings are used.

Rare tunings one to which my teacher Rene calls a "half-way capo tuning" is done through adding the capo half way hence the name on the E-A-D strings on the second fret. I am not certain as to the orgigins of this tuning or where it is currently used I will ask soon for information on this. However I do know its present and known to some guitarists in Peru. This tuning in although its limited with C-major chord it does create a very haunting minor chord and is wonderful for playing in sincle notes. Other tunings like the "cow tuning" and related are inspired off of the life styles in which the musicians are from (village, rural, farming) that sort of thing (to be updated and cited).