Aurora Borealis

Required String Notes:B - E - A - D - F# - B

How to Tune from Standard to B Standard / Baritone

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Aurora Borealis”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	B1	Tune down 5 semitones
String 5	A2	E2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 4	D3	A2	Tune down 5 semitones
String 3	G3	D3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 2	B3	F#3	Tune down 5 semitones
String 1	E4	B3	Tune down 5 semitones

Recommended string gauge: .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

"Aurora Borealis" by Pelican is played in B Standard / Baritone (B - E - A - D - F# - B). Starting from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), you retune 6 of 6 strings: string 6 down to B, string 5 down to E, string 4 down to A, string 3 down to D, string 2 down to F#, string 1 down to B. Overall string tension drops, with the biggest change being 5 semitones down. Pelican uses this same tuning on 5 other songs in our catalog, so you can stay tuned and keep playing.

Looking for tabs or chords?Search Ultimate Guitar

Tunings Close to B Standard / Baritone

Already tuned to B - E - A - D - F# - B? These tunings are just one small change away.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step higher.

C Standard Tuning49 songs

C - F - Bb - Eb - G - CSame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

Bb Standard Tuning24 songs

Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - F - BbSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Drop A Tuning8 songs

A - E - A - D - F# - BOnly string 6 differs: A instead of B.

Pelican’s Guitar Tunings

Pelican plays 6 of 6 songs in our catalog in B Standard / Baritone. Most-used tunings:

B Standard / BaritoneB - E - A - D - F# - B6 songs

Gear for B Standard / Baritone

Strings and tools that make playing "Aurora Borealis" in B Standard / Baritone easier.

Ernie Ball Baritone Slinky (.013–.072)

Recommended gauge .013–.072. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

View strings

D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

“Aurora Borealis” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Aurora Borealis" by Pelican in?

"Aurora Borealis" is played in B Standard / Baritone: B - E - A - D - F# - B, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Aurora Borealis"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down 5 semitones (E2 → B1). String 5: tune down 5 semitones (A2 → E2). String 4: tune down 5 semitones (D3 → A2). String 3: tune down 5 semitones (G3 → D3). String 2: tune down 5 semitones (B3 → F#3). String 1: tune down 5 semitones (E4 → B3).

What string gauge should I use for B Standard / Baritone?

Use a .013–.072 set. The bass strings drop very far below standard; a baritone-weight set stops them from flopping and buzzing.

Which other Pelican songs use this tuning?

"Drought", "Lost in the Headlights", "Mammoth", "Spaceship Broken-Parts Needed", "Specks of Light" — all in B - E - A - D - F# - B, so you can play them without retuning.